Read original article at Manteca Bulletin
The City of Lathrop wants to make sure that no child – or resident – is ever turned away from a public recreation league or class due to an inability to pay.
As the calendar inches towards spring and people start getting used to spending more time outdoors, the City of Lathrop reminded the public this week on social media that the city does have an activity fee assistance fund available to assist qualifying Lathrop residents with registration fees for parks and recreation and maintenance service programs offered by the city.
Approved residents are eligible for up to $250-per-fiscal-year to help cover the cost of up to 75 percent of the registration fee for things like classes, events, and leagues – hoping that more residents will take advantage of the programs that the departments provide.
The funds will be distributed to eligible residents if they remain available. Once all funds are exhausted from the fund the fee subsidies will subside until the next fiscal year. The funds are distributed on a first come first serve basis.
Funding for the program comes from a variety of revenue sources including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s community development block grant program. That program is administered by HUD and according to the city monitors the city “as to head of household, income, and ethnicity of program service recipients.
The information that is collected as part of the administration of the program is not disseminated publicly, but instead used for auditing purposes.
Residents that are already receiving a public assistance grant – either AFDC or General Assistance – will automatically qualify for the program, but income verification is required.
Residents that are not receiving public assistance will need to show proof that the total household income is either at or below the thresholds set by HUD – which can be done by submitting last year’s tax returns with the signature page, three current employment or unemployment pay stubs, worker’s compensation payment verification, social security insurance verification, or state disability income verification.
Those who wish to be considered for the program must also submit a completed application as well as proof of residence – which can be achieved by submitting a City of Lathrop water bill or a PG&E bill from a Lathrop address.
For additional information visit the City of Lathrop Parks and Recreation Department’s website at www.ci.lathrop.ca.us/parksrec or call 209.941.7370.