OAR 813-203-0005: Definitions

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.