Terms used throughout OAR chapter 813, division 203 may be defined in Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) or in the OHCS General Definitions (OAR 813-005-0005). Terms used within this division observe those definitions except as defined below:
- (1) "Crisis assistance" or "crisis payment" means the assistance provided to low-income households for crisis situations such as loss of household supply of drinking water or sewage disposal services or other situations approved by OHCS as described in the program requirements.
- (2) "Public drinking water or water treatment utility" or “utility” means the owner or operator of a Community Water System (as defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) or water treatment facility, who supplies a household with drinking water or sewage disposal services continuously via pipes.
- (3) "Household" means any individual residing alone, a family with or without children or a group of individuals who are living together as one economic unit and purchase drinking water or sewage disposal services in common.
- (4) "Household income" means the total household income before taxes from all sources. Specific sources and deductions are outlined in the program manual (see OAR 813-203-0007).
- (5) "Low-income household" means a household with income that is at or below 60% of the state median income.
- (6) "Program" or "LIHWA" means the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program administered by OHCS pursuant to this division and other applicable law.
- (7) "Program manual" or "Manual" means the LIHWA Intake Operations Manual, as described in OAR 813-203-0007.
- (8) "Program requirements" means these administrative rules; all funding agreement terms and conditions; OHCS directives (including deficiency notices); the program manual requirements; and applicable state, local, and federal laws and requirements.
- (9) "Program services" means the services that may be provided to eligible households as described in OAR 813-203-0030 or allowed thereunder.
- (10) "Water assistance payment" means a payment made under the LIHWA Program to or on behalf of an eligible household for the specific purposes of paying for program services as described in OAR 813-203-0030.
- (11) "Water burden" means the percentage of household income that goes towards drinking water and sewage disposal services.
Statutory/Other Authority
US Public Law 116-260, ORS 456.555 & US Public Law 117-2
Statutes/Other Implemented
US Public Law 116-260, US Public Law 117-2 & ORS 458.505
History
OHCS 21-2024, amend filed 06/03/2024, effective 06/03/2024
OHCS 3-2024, temporary amend filed 03/28/2024, effective 03/29/2024 through 09/24/2024
OHCS 8-2022, adopt filed 03/11/2022, effective 03/11/2022
OHCS 14-2021, temporary adopt filed 12/30/2021, effective 12/30/2021 through 06/27/2022