Change Our Address in Your Bill Pay Programs

The City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities and Richmond Gas Works changed its "remit to" address on customer bills last June 2020 to increase customer satisfaction and processing efficiency. If you have not updated your bill payer records with your financial institution, please do so now! If you use paper checks, please use the yellow return envelope included with your bill. To avoid lost or delayed payments, update to our new address today!

Old address was a post office box in Richmond, Virginia. The new addresss is City of Richmond Utilities, PO Box 71210, Charlotte NC 28272-1210.

Assistance With Utility Bills

MetroCare Heat Program

DPU is accepting applications through April 30, 2021 for those in need of financial assistance with their heating bills. If approved, you are provided a one-time assistance up to $500 per heating season. To apply, contact CAPUP at 804-788-0050.

MetroCare Water Program

Applications are accepted year-round to provide financial assistance toward water and wastewater charges. If approved, you could receive up to $500 in assistance once every 12 months. To apply, contact CAPUP at 804-788-0500.

Fuel Assistance and Crisis Assistance

Offers heating financial assistance. To apply, contact the Department of Social Services for Richmond city residents at 804-646-7046, for Henrico County residents at 804-501-4001, or Chesterfield County residents at 804-748-1100.


ENERGYSHARE

Offers heating and cooling assistance for Richmond city residents through CAPUP at 804-788-0050, Henrico County residents through Senior Connections at 804-343-3000, and Chesterfield County residents at 804-748-1100.


MetroCare Water Conservation Program

This program can assist with making your water usage more efficient by replacing showerheads and toilets at no cost to you. If you own your home and reside in the city of Richmond, contact Project Homes for more information and applications at 804-410-1501.

Do You Have Flood Insurance?

Virginia Flood Awareness Week is March 14-20 this year, and the City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities is joining the statewide effort to inform citizens about flood risks and flood insurance.

Flooding is a common and costly natural hazard. Anywhere it rains, it can flood. Just one inch of water in a home can cause up to $25,000 in damages, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

One of the most important steps Richmonders can take to be prepared is to obtain flood insurance. Flood insurance, whether it is through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private carrier, allows individuals, businesses, and communities to quickly and sufficiently recover after a flood. Most homeowners and renters insurance policies do not cover damage caused by floods.

The City of Richmond participates in the NFIP, which means all citizens are eligible for flood insurance, even if they don’t live in a high-risk flood zone.

Flood insurance policies take a minimum of 30 days to go into effect so it is vital to protect assets and purchase coverage well in advance of a disaster, flood event, and the 2021 hurricane season. Contact an insurance agent and visit FloodSmart.gov for further details on flood insurance.

Customer Photos

 Every issue of Utility Talk, included in your utility bills quarterly, contains a photo submission from our customers on how they use their utilities. The next issue comes out in the March bills. What photo do you think will be included?

Valerie and her granddaughter Ja'Naun watering the garden

Miss Kitty drinking water from the faucet

Jennifer pouring grease into a can and cooking on her natural gas stove

Jefferson cooking on his natural gas stove

Jennifer putting grease in a can, not down the drain

Jisa putting her grease in a jar instead of down the drain

Koen, 7, filling up jugs of water from the rain barrel to water the garden, fill the sand and water table, and wash off the porch

Jack, Diane and Shadow enjoying a natural gas logs fireplace

Marie received a composter from her daughter for her birthday and can now recycle kitchen scraps

Simonette the cat loves Richmond water right from the faucet

Rebecca's children had a merry holiday in front of the natural gas fireplace

Twins Rosie and Marty enjoy a backyard pool full of pure Richmond water

Krypto reminds dog owners to bring their pick-up bags on walks

Baxter enjoys a gas fireplace

Kendrick also enjoys a gas fireplace. Are we seeing a trend here?

CARES Act Municipal Utility Relief Funding: Notification and Other Resources

The deadline for submission of applications for the City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities CARES Act utility relief has passed. All account holders with approved applications will see a payment of CARES Act utility relief funds for all or portions of eligible arrearages for utility services from March 1 through December 30, 2020 on their February 2021 bill. In accordance with funding guidelines, this amount excludes any fees, taxes or other charges for which you are responsible.

Customers needing additional assistance should contact DPU customer service at 646-4646 to discuss options that will ensure your account is in good standing and not subject to future disconnection. Customers may also see available options HERE, including affordability programs.

 

Deadline EXTENDED: CARES Municipal Utility Relief Funding

 Deadline EXTENDED for City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities utility relief assistance

Deadline to apply for the COVID-19 Municipal Utility Relief Program has been extended to January 31, from the original deadline date of January 17.

City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities customers that have fallen behind on their utility bills as a result of an economic hardship due to COVID-19 are encouraged to submit applications for utility relief. 

The COVID-19 Municipal Utility Relief Program funding provided by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) is being administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development and supports municipal utility relief efforts during the pandemic. The utility relief assistance program is designed to be a one‐time opportunity with one payment per household or business. Funding for the program is limited, so don’t delay in applying.

The deadline for submitting applications has been extended and are now due by midnight Sunday, January 31. This opportunity is to help customers pay down or pay off high utility bills as a result of COVID-19 and avoid future utility service disconnections at the end of the pandemic’s state of emergency.

The application process is simple, takes less than 5 minutes to complete, and requires no documentation. Drop by one of these locations to fill out or drop off a completed application:

·         City Hall | 900 E. Broad Street, Room 115

·         East District Initiative | 701 N. 25th Street

·         Southside Community Services Center | 4100 Hull Street

Customers can also request an application via email to DPUCares@richmondgov.com or by calling (804) 646-4646.

To be eligible for funding under this Relief Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a customer (residential or non-residential) of the City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities with active utility service;
• Have experienced/been impacted by an economic hardship due to COVID-19;
• Have fallen behind on their City water, wastewater or natural gas utility bill for services during the period of March 1, 2020 through December 30, 2020;
• Have not received any other forms of relief or financial assistance for their City utility services; AND
• Submit the completed application so that it is received by DPU on or before January 31, 2021.

With limited funds available and the application deadline quickly approaching, eligible customers are encouraged to apply immediately. More information, including the application, are available at www.rva.gov/public-utilities/about-uscontact-us.

CARES Municipal Utility Relief Funding

The City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities (DPU) has received COVID-19 Municipal Utility Relief Program funding provided by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) via the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. This funding will support municipal utility relief efforts during the pandemic, and will directly assist customers that have fallen behind on their utility bills as a result of an economic hardship due to COVID-19. Funding is designed to be a one‐time opportunity, with only one payment per household or business.  

To be eligible for funding under this Relief Program, applicants must meet the following criteria: 

• Be a customer of the City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities with active utility service; Have experienced/been impacted by an economic hardship due to COVID-19;  
• Have fallen behind on their City water, wastewater or natural gas utility bill for services during the period of March 1, 2020 through December 30, 2020;
• Have not received any other forms of relief or financial assistance for their City utility services;  AND
• Submit the completed application so that it is received by midnight Sunday, January 17, 2021. 

More details are included in the application and available on DPU’s website at www.rva.gov/public-utilities. You may also pick up an application at one of the following locations: 

• City Hall | 900 E. Broad Street, Room 115 
• East District Initiative | 701 N. 25th Street
• Southside Community Services Center | 4100 Hull Street
• Request an application at DPUCares@richmondgov.com 

If you feel you meet the criteria, you are encouraged to apply. A call to DPU’s Customer Care Center is not required to verify eligibility status. If you are approved, you will be notified on your February 2021 utility bill and relief funds will be applied directly to your DPU account. 

DPU continues to work with customers and has established extended payment plans to assist during the pandemic. As always, customers experiencing economic hardships are encouraged to contact DPU at (804) 646-4646 to discuss their payment options.