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Garbage Rate Assistance
Overview
The City of San José offers seven different garbage rate assistance
programs to eligible customers who receive single family garbage
service. Garbage rate assistance can help:
- low income households,
- households with a disabled resident(s) that
do not have an able-bodied person to assist with moving carts
to the street,
- those experiencing hardship due to illness, natural
disaster, or death, or
- property owners of an uninhabitable dwelling.
If you have question not covered in the program descriptions,
want information regarding multiple-rate eligibility or any other
issues regarding garage rate assistance, please call the Customer
Contact Center at 408-535-3500. Customer service agents will be
able to help and will be able to provide information in Spanish,
Vietnamese, and other languages as needed.
You may print out your own applications from this
website (see sidebar at right). Please fill them out completely,
sign, and mail to:
City of San José
Customer Service Center—11th Floor Tower
200 E. Santa Clara Street
San José, CA 95113
Due to a high volume of applications, processing time can be as
long as 6-8 weeks, so be sure to include all the necessary information
and sign the application to avoid further delay. The new rates
will appear on your next bill following approval of your application.
These programs only apply to those receiving single family
residential garbage service, including mobile home park residents. Renters may be eligible
if the property receives single family residential garbage service. Renters will need to provide the verification form signed by the property owner or property manager.
If you receive Multiple Family garbage service (such as in the
case of apartment or certain condo/townhouse dwellers and certain
mobile home park residents) these programs probably do not apply
to your situation. Generally, Multiple Family complexes put the
bill in the property
manager/landlord’s
or the Home Owners Association name. They are responsible for paying
the Recycle Plus bill for all residents of the complex. Since individuals
of a multiple family complex do not directly pay the Recycle Plus
bill, individual discounts can not be applied, and often times
Recycle Plus service is included in the rent payment or Home Owners
Association dues.
If you are unsure if you receive Single Family garbage service
or Multiple Family garbage service or are unsure if the bill is
coming from the City to you, please call our Customer Contact Center
at (408) 535-3500 to verify whether you are eligible to participate
in the Garbage Rate Assistance programs.
Please note that the Garbage Rate Assistance programs and eligibility
terms are subject to change periodically. Additionally, these are
voluntary programs. To be approved, you must provide all
information as requested. The City will send out forms to renew
the household’s participation annually. You will only be
allowed to continue receiving Garbage Rate Assistance for as long
as you qualify, based on the program guidelines in place at the
time of renewal. In addition to renewal, the City will audit a
sampling of accounts annually and may request further information
as part of the audit process. You will be notified by mail if your
account is selected for audit.
Low Income Rate Assistance (LIRA)
Notice of Program Change
Due to limited funding, the Low Income Rate Assistance program is currently closed to new applicants. A waitlist is available for customers who are interested in applying for the program. New applicants will be approved as current participants are removed from the program. Please call the Customer Contact Center at (408) 535-3500 if you would like to be added to the waitlist.
Eligibility
The Low Income Rate Assistance (LIRA) program provides
a discount on garbage service for low income individuals and
households. To
be eligible, the household income (including income for all adult
residents over the age of 18) must be within the guidelines indicated
in the chart below:
2011 Low Income Guidelines
Category A: Households of
any size
(for each additional occupant, add $557 per month in that
category) |
| Household Size |
Monthly |
Annual |
20 gallon |
32 gallon |
64 gallon |
96 gallon |
1 |
$1,588 |
$19,058 |
$19.76 |
$20.97 |
N/A |
N/A |
2 |
$2,145 |
$25,743 |
$19.76 |
$20.97 |
N/A |
N/A |
3 |
$2,702 |
$32,428 |
N/A |
$20.97 |
N/A |
N/A |
4 |
$3,259 |
$39,113 |
N/A |
$20.97 |
$29.95 |
N/A |
5 |
$3,816 |
$45,798 |
N/A |
N/A |
$29.95 |
$44.93 |
Category B: Households of
5 or more occupants
(for each additional occupant add $637 per month
in this category)
|
| Household Size |
Monthly |
Annual |
20 gallon |
32 gallon |
64 gallon |
96 gallon |
5 |
$4,362 |
$52,340 |
N/A |
N/A |
$44.93 |
$67.39 |
6 |
$4,998 |
$59,980 |
N/A |
N/A |
$44.93 |
$67.39 |
7 |
$5,635 |
$67,620 |
N/A |
N/A |
$44.93 |
$67.39 |
| Regular Rates |
$28.83 |
$29.95 |
$59.90 |
$89.85 |
There are two categories which you
may be eligible. Category A has lower income limits and the rate
is slightly less. Category B, which was primarily designed for
larger families, starts with five household residents, and has
a slightly higher income guideline and slightly higher rates, and
the minimum cart size is 64 gallons. These income limits are adjusted
annually.
When you apply, you will
automatically be enrolled in the program that is the least expensive
rate for which you are eligible, based on the information you have
provided.
How to Apply
Customers must fill out an application and return it by mail to
the Customer Contact Center, as indicated on the application. To
be approved, applications must be complete, signed and required
verification of household income for all household members who
are over the age of 18 must be included. Acceptable forms to verify
household income include:
- Two or more copies of current pay stubs
- For an adult student: Financial
Aid, grant and scholarship for any monies received, not including
money for tuition and book,
for the current school year
- Unemployment Insurance Benefit (UIB)
for unemployed or non-income adults. A current award letter
must be included.
- Social Security Benefits (SSA) or Supplemental Security
Income (SSI). Agency verification of benefits letter or a copy
of check
or bank statement showing direct deposit is acceptable.
- Current
Notice of Action (NOA), TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy
Families), or Cal-WORKS eligibility. A letter from the social
worker verifying all income is acceptable and should include food stamp
allotment and housing subsidy.
- For self-employed adults (only),
the most recent Federal Income Tax Return Schedule A,B, C,
C-EZ, D and E are acceptable.
You may also download the document Low Income Rate Assistance
Instructions for more detailed information and income guidelines
and rates. Please call the Customer Contact Center at (408) 535-3500
if you have any questions regarding this program or how to apply
for this program.
LIRA Application
(PDF, 88 KB)
LIRA Instructions (PDF, 53 KB)
En Español
Solicitud de Tarifa Reducida para Hogares de Bajos Ingresos (LIRA, PDF, 143 KB)
Hoja Informative sobre Tarifas Reducidas para Hogares de Bajos Ingresos (LIRA, PDF, 56 KB)
Phiên bản Việt Ngữ
Ðơn Xin Giảm Giá Cho Người Có Lợi Tức Thấp (PDF, 154 KB)
Hướng Dẫn Xin Giảm Giá Cho Người Có Lợi Tức Thấp (PDF, 201 KB)
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Medical Exemption Rate Reduction Assistance (MERRA)
This
will assist those customers who have excessive waste resulting
from a medical condition. It subsidizes a larger cart size
at a lower cart rate. Renewal for this program is annual.
2010 MERRA Guidelines
Cart Size |
Regular Rate |
Reduced Rate |
20 Gallon |
$28.23 |
N/A |
32 Gallon |
$29.95 |
N/A |
64 Gallon |
$59.90 |
$29.95 |
96 Gallon |
$89.85 |
$59.90 |
128 Gallon |
$119.80 |
$89.85 |
160 Gallon |
$149.75 |
$119.80 |
192 Gallon |
$179.70 |
$149.75 |
224 Gallon |
$209.65 |
$179.70 |
Required documentation: A signed application
and a physician's certification of need for larger garbage cart.
MERRA Application (PDF,
71 KB)
MERRA Instructions (PDF, 126 KB)
En Español
Solicitud de Tarifa Reducida por Exoneración Médica (MERRA, PDF, 96 KB)
Hoja Informativa sobre Tarifas Reducidas de Asistencia por Exoneración Médica (MERRA, PDF, 67 KB)
Phiên bản Việt Ngữ
Ðơn Xin Giảm Giá Cho Người Ðược Miễn Trừ Về Y Tế (PDF, 96 KB)
Hướng Dẫn Xin Giảm Giá Cho Người Ðược Miễn Trừ Về Y Tế (PDF, 144 KB)
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Disabled
On-Premise Service
This service provides on premise pick-up for those with an ongoing
physical disability and unable to move his/her garbage cart, recycling
cart, and yard trimmings to the curb for collection. Yard Trimming
Carts are provided at no cost. ALL residents of the premise must
have an ongoing physical disability and are unable to move the
carts into position at the curbside. Renewal for this program is
annual.
Required documentation: A signed application and
physician's certification for each resident of
household.
Disabled
On-Premise Application
(PDF, 38 KB)
Disabled On-Premise Instructions (PDF, 41 KB)
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Hardship (due to death)
There is no charge for garbage service where the owner(s) of the premise have passed away. This program is not available for properties in a trust. All owners must be deceased. Premise must remain vacant until probate is closed, or until residence is rented or sold.
Required documentation:
- Signed Application
- Proof of Death:
- Notorized letters of testamentary; OR
- Letters of administration; OR
- Death certificate; OR
- Other court order that evidences date of owner's death
Hardship (due
to death) Application (PDF, 35 KB)
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Hardship (due to illness)
There is no charge for garbage service where an owner who has been hospitalized or institutionalized and is expected to require extended stay (minimum 30 days) and may or may not return home. Premises must remain vacant for an extended period.
Required documentation: A signed application and
certification from a doctor or care facility, the certification
should also include expected release date if applicable.
Hardship (due
to illness) Application (PDF,
47 KB)
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Hardship (due to fire or natural disaster)
There is no charge for garbage service where a premise has become temporarily
uninhabitable due to a fire or natural disaster and residents are
required to relocate while repairs are made.
Required documentation:
- Signed Application
- Proof of fire or natural disaster:
- Fire report from the Fire Department detailing the extent of the damage and the date of the fire; OR
- Letter from the homeowner's insurance company (on letterhead), which states the date that the house became uninhabitable, and the cause of the damage (fire or natural disaster); OR
- "Proof of Loss" statement from the homeowner's insurance company, which states the date that the house became uninhabitable, and lists the cause as a fire or a natural disaster.
Sign
Up Form for Hardship (due to fire of natural disaster)
(PDF, 34 KB)
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Uninhabitable
Dwelling
There is no charge for garbage service where a premise is deemed permanently uninhabitable.
Required documentation:
- Signed Application
- Proof of permanent uninhabitable status:
- Documentation that the electric meter(s) have been removed (not disconnected); OR
- Documentation that the water meter(s) have been removed (not disconnected); OR
- Documentation from the State of California - Licensed Professional Engineer stating that the dwelling is permanently uninhabitable; OR
- Permit or permit application from the City of San José Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement Department for demolition (not addition. alteration, or repair) or for construction of a new home at the service location; OR
- Notice of condemned status or order to vacate from the City of San José Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement Department stating that the dwelling is permanently uninhabitable.
Sign Up Form
for Uninhabitable Dwelling (PDF, 36 KB)
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