Monthly Utility Allowances
PHA calculates your utility allowance based on the lower of:
- The utility allowance amount for your voucher size; or
- The utility allowance amount for the unit size rented by your
family
- For example if you have a two bedroom voucher, but rent a three
bedroom unit, PHA will only calculate your utility allowance based
on your two bedroom voucher size. If you have a two bedroom voucher
but rent a one bedroom unit, your utility allowance will be based
on the one bedroom unit size.
PHA's current utility allowance schedule is attached here
Utility Allowance Payments
- Effective October 1, 2015, all utility allowance payments will
be issued on a Visa® prepaid debit card, the U.S. Bank ReliaCard®.
PHA will no longer be issuing paper checks.
- The ReliaCard Prepaid Debit Card Program is only for families
who receive a monthly UAP. If your family qualifies for a monthly
UAP, PHA will enroll you automatically to receive a Prepaid Debit
Card by mail. All UAP payments will be deposited onto your debit
card without exception.
- Benefits of the ReliaCard include:
o Payments automatically loaded
to your card
o Make purchases, get cash, pay bills everywhere Visa debit
is accepted
o Protected if lost or stolen
- Payments will be issued on the first of each month. There will
be certain months where the first of that month falls on a weekend
and/or holiday, on those dates, funds will be deposited into your
account on the following business day.
- When you receive your card, please follow the activation
instructions. After your card is active, you may set up your online
account on the cardholder website, www.usbankreliacard.com. Through
the cardholder website you will be able to view your balance,
transaction history, set up online bill payments, sign up for
alerts2 and more.
- If you have any questions please feel free to contact
215-684-4300 or you can also email
Clientservices@pha.phila.gov
with any inquiries.
- A cardholder agreement, activation instructions, usage guide
and fee schedule will be included with your new card. For more
information about the new card, please visit www.usbankreliacard.com.
