City distributes $4.5M as part of COVID Relief credit

Medicine Hat – On July 5, 2021, City Council unanimously passed a motion, directing staff to prepare a second COVID relief program in an amount of $4.5 million.

On August 3, Council approved that $4.5 million be administered to utility account holders on record as of August 1, 2021, as an equal credit between all accounts. 

“This credit will apply to all utility account holders who receive a utility bill issued by the City of Medicine Hat,” said Dennis Egert, Managing Director of Corporate Services. “This includes residential, commercial and industrial accounts. The approval of the credit will help offset high electricity costs due to increased consumption during the hot summer and increased cost.”

Each City of Medicine Hat utility account will receive a one-time credit of $136.00. The credit will be applied to utility account beginning Monday, August 16 and will appear on statements through the end of September, dependent on timing of billing cycles. Eligible utility holders do not need to apply for the credit. This credit will be displayed as a separate line on the utility bill as ‘2021 CMH COVID Relief Credit’.

The City is hopeful that in cases where landlords are utility account holders, savings will be passed along to their tenants. 

Any utility account holder receiving a rebate who does not need the support is encouraged to donate their credit to the Community Warmth program, assisting those in need.

“We are strongly encouraging residents who do not need this COVID support to make ends meet to donate the credit to the Community Warmth program,” Egert said. “The Community Warmth program goes directly to individuals and families in our community who are unable to pay their City of Medicine Hat utility bills.”

To donate to the Community Warmth program, visit the City website, email customer_accounts@medicinehat.ca or call 403-529-8111.

Utility customers may also arrange a monthly donation to the energy assistance program of $1 or more. This donation is added directly onto a utility bill statement. Income tax receipts are issued for donations over $10 per year.

For more information about the COVID utility credit, including frequently asked questions, visit the City website.

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