EVMWD is here to assist customers facing financial challenges. The District offers internal assistance programs and also partners with community organizations to provide additional sources of aid. Click each drop down below to learn more about financial assistance available to you!
Interested in Utility Assistance programs? Fill out a Contact Me form to hear from one of our Customer Service Representatives.
Rate Assistance for Residents of Elsinore Valley (RARE)
Effective January 1, 2024, the EVMWD RARE Program has been expanded to include the sewer bill for eligible customers at their primary residence.
The RARE Program provides eligible customers with low-income rate assistance on their primary residence’s water and/or sewer bills. To qualify for a RARE credit, whether for water or sewer bills, customers must meet income requirements. Additionally, applicants for the RARE credit on water bills must fulfill specified water usage requirements. The funds for the RARE Program come from unrestricted funds allocated by the EVMWD board of directors. This limited program is similar to the California Public Utilities Commission CARE Program. The EVMWD RARE Program necessitates income qualification for both sewer and water credits. For the RARE water credit, both income and water usage are considered. Customers meeting the criteria will receive a RARE credit on their water bill (subject to usage criteria) and a credit on their sewer bill (irrespective of water usage).
Program Qualifications
- Must be enrolled in the Southern California Edison or Southern California Gas CARE program.
- Customer must reside at the property where the credit is received and the name on the Southern California Edison bill or the Southern California Gas bill reflecting the enrollment of the CARE program must match the name on the EVMWD water bill.
- The program is open to current EVMWD residential customers only.
- Customer must register for EVMWD’s Advanced Meter Program AquaHawk and sign up for alerts.
- Customer must schedule and complete a water evaluation performed through EVMWD.
- Customer’s monthly water use must fall under the following guidelines:
How to apply:
To apply for the program, please complete the application in its entirety and provide all documentation as requested in the application, including proof or enrollment in a CARE program. If approved, the rate assistance will become effective sixty (60) days after the approval date. If your application is not approved, you will receive a letter from EVMWD explaining the reason for the decision. Applicants may apply anytime throughout the year. However, applications will be accepted and processed in the order they are received, contingent upon the availability of funds.
What counts as income?
Total gross household income is all revenues from all household members, from whatever sources derived including, but not limited to, wages, social security, SSP or SSDI, pensions, interest or dividends from savings, stocks, bonds or retirement accounts, profit from self-employment, unemployment benefits, insurance or legal settlements, disability or worker’s compensation, spousal or child support, scholarships, grants or other aid used for living expenses, rental or royalty income, cash or other income.
* Effective June 1, 2023 – May 31, 2024. Source: California PUC Alternative Rates for Energy (CARE)
Online Application – Submit online and save time!
Printable Application– Print and complete, then return to EVMWD.
Printable Application (Spanish)– Imprima y complete, y luego devuelva la forma a EVMWD.
Mail: Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District
RARE Program
31315 Chaney St.
Lake Elsinore, Ca 92530
Fax: (951) 346-3352
Email: ihaveavoice@evmwd.net
Questions? Contact EVMWD’s customer service team at ihaveavoice@evmwd.net or (951) 674-3146.
Riverside County Assistance Programs
EVMWD has partnered with the County of Riverside to offer additional relief programs, including the Low Income Water and Wastewater Assistance Program (LIHWAP).
LIHWAP provides financial assistance to eligible low-income Californians to help manage their residential water utility costs. The program is available while funding lasts. For additional details and to submit an online application, visit https://www.csd.ca.gov/Pages/WaterBill.aspx
To learn more about other sources of assistance, speak with EVMWD’s Customer Service team at 951-674-3146.
EBT with Cash Aid Payments
EVMWD accepts payment via EBT with cash-aid benefits. Visit District headquarters during regular business hours to make a payment using EBT!
