Monthly Utility Allowances

PHA calculates your utility allowance based on the lower of:

1. The utility allowance amount for your voucher size; or
2. 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 alerts1 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.
• For text messages, standard messaging charges apply through your mobile carrier and message frequency depends on account settings.
• The ReliaCard is issued by U.S. Bank National Association pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. ©2022 U.S. Bank. Member FDIC.