If you’re living on a fixed income, even a small discount on your utility bill can make a difference.
The City of Riverbank, California, offers a Utility Rate Assistance Program (URAP) that helps eligible low-income seniors and residents with permanent disabilities save on garbage, water and sewer services.
The garbage discount starts at age 60, while water and sewer discounts start at age 65. People with permanent disabilities may qualify at any age.
Here’s how much you could save and how to apply.
How Much Can You Save?
Riverbank’s Utility Rate Assistance Program provides discounts on eligible utility charges every two months.
The discounts are:
- Garbage and organics: About $12 off per billing cycle for eligible residents age 60 or older.
- Water: $22 off per billing cycle for eligible residents age 65 or older.
- Sewer: $16 off per billing cycle for eligible residents age 65 or older.
Residents with permanent disabilities may qualify for all three discounts regardless of age.
These amounts apply to the city’s bimonthly billing cycle, not every month.
The city’s official program page lists the garbage discount as $11.70, while its May 2025 application lists $12.18. Check with the Finance Department for the current amount.
Who Qualifies?
To qualify for Riverbank’s Utility Rate Assistance Program, you generally must:
- Be 60 or older for the garbage discount, 65 or older for water and sewer, or have a permanent disability.
- Have a City of Riverbank residential utility account in your name.
- Live at the address where you’re requesting the discount.
- Have an individual water meter for the home.
- Meet the city’s income requirements for extremely low-income households.
- Not be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return, except your spouse’s.
Certain properties aren’t eligible, including commercial accounts and some multifamily properties with shared utility meters.
The city specifically excludes duplexes, triplexes, four-plexes, mobile home parks and apartment buildings with a single meter under its published program rules.
What Are the Income Limits?
Riverbank uses income guidelines based on California housing and community development standards.
The limits depend on how many people live in your household and may change over time.
Because the city’s published materials contain different references to the applicable income-limit year, check the current income chart before applying.
You can find the guidelines on the City of Riverbank’s Utility Rate Assistance Program page.
What Documents Do You Need?
The city requires documentation to verify your household’s eligibility.
Be prepared to provide:
- A California driver’s license or identification card for each adult household member.
- Proof of household income.
- Your most recent tax return, if applicable.
- Social Security, SSI or pension benefit statements, if applicable.
- Recent pay stubs or other income records, depending on your situation.
The city may request additional documentation based on your household’s circumstances.
Review the official application before submitting it.
How Do You Apply?
Applications are accepted throughout the year, so you don’t have to wait for a special enrollment period.
Start by downloading the application from the City of Riverbank’s program page.
Applications are available in English and Spanish.
Complete the form, gather the required documents and submit everything to the city’s Finance Department.
Apply in person:
City Hall South, Finance Department
6617 Third Street
Riverbank, CA 95367
Apply by mail:
Attn: Utility Rate Assistance Program
6707 Third Street
Riverbank, CA 95367
If your application is approved, the discount begins with your next full utility billing cycle.
Contact the Finance Department before visiting to confirm its current office hours.
Do You Have to Reapply?
Yes. Riverbank requires participants to recertify their eligibility every two years.
You must also notify the city if your household income, living arrangements or other eligibility information changes.
Keeping your information current can help prevent interruptions to your discount.
Relief Recap
Riverbank’s Utility Rate Assistance Program helps eligible low-income seniors and residents with permanent disabilities save on their utility bills.
The garbage discount starts at age 60, while the water and sewer discounts start at age 65. Residents with permanent disabilities may qualify regardless of age.
The discounts are applied to eligible bills every two months, and applications are accepted year-round.
If you live in Riverbank and meet the income requirements, visit the city’s official program page to check your eligibility and download an application.
Even a modest discount can add up over time, especially when you’re managing expenses on a limited income.
