Kirkland Cares Low Income Support Program

Who is FORWARD?

FORWARD is a technology company that powers the application portal. FORWARD offers application services for programs such as this nationwide. The City of Kirkland has partnered with FORWARD to manage the application process for the Kirkland Cares Low-Income Support Program.

Can I view the application in languages other than English?  

Yes, the FORWARD platform is available in and supports 68 languages. To view the application in your preferred language, select the globe icon at the top right of the page while logged into the FORWARD portal. The globe icon is labeled “English.” Once you click the icon, select which language you prefer from the list.

How do I know that the information I share on my application is secure?

FORWARD is committed to protecting your privacy and will never share or disclose your information without your consent. Read FORWARD’s Privacy Policy.

Will I receive a notification that my application has been received?  
Yes. You will receive an email confirmation from cityofkirkland-uli@outreach.forwardplatform.com once your application is received. Check your spam/junk folder if you are still waiting to receive an email shortly after submitting your application.

Can I apply on my phone or tablet?

Yes. The application is mobile-friendly.  

When is the deadline to apply?

The application window will open on April 4, 2024 and will remain open until September 30, 2024.

What happens after I apply?

After your application is submitted, you will receive a confirmation email that your application has been received.

All applications will be evaluated for accuracy and eligibility. This may involve communication from FORWARD’s Intake Specialist to verify and/or gather additional information/documents for your application. 

What might cause my application to be denied?  

Denial of applications can result from:

• Address Outside City Limit
• Duplicate application
• Applications that are fraudulent, misleading, altered, or redacted
• Applicants who are unresponsive and/or fail to provide required documentation on time
• Applications that do not meet eligibility criteria
• The applicant requested to withdraw their application
• Funds depleted/Program ended

You have the right to review the decision and follow the Grievance Procedure included with your Letter of Denial to appeal the decision.

You will have 5 business days from the date the Letter of Denial email was sent to provide the required documentation for review.

The following decisions are final and are NOT eligible for appeal: 

• Duplicate applications.
• The applicant requested to withdraw their application.
• Applications that are fraudulent, misleading, altered, or redacted.
• Funds depleted/Program end

If I have further questions, who may I contact?

If you need help with this online application or have a program question, please email kirklandcares@forwardplatform.zendesk.com or call FORWARD at 855-582-3973.

How do I create an account?

You must create an account to apply for a Kirkland Cares Low-Income Support Program. You can create your account following these simple steps:

1. Go to Kirkland Login Page
2. Select “Create tenant or household account”
3. Enter your name and a valid email address that you can access
4. Once you click “Create Account” you will receive an email with a link to set your password
5. Select the link in your email and set your secured password
6. Once you set your password, you can login and complete the application!

• Must be located within Kirkland City limits. 
• Must be at or below 80% of the 2024 Area Median Income (AMI).

You can check to see if you reside within Kirkland City limits by going to the map listed below: 

• Kirkland City Boundary Map (click here).

You can verify if you meet this requirement by looking at the chart below.   Determine if you earn (from all income sources) no more than the amount shown for the number of people in your household. 

• Pet license discounts
• Business license discounts
• Vehicle registration rebate
• Utility rebates
• Direct utility billing discounts

To qualify for the business license discount, you must reside within the City of Kirkland and your business must be based in the City of Kirkland. You will be asked to provide your valid Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number.  The UBI will be used to verify your eligibility for the discount.

To be eligible for the utility discount you must meet the following criteria:

• Must be located within Kirkland City limits. 
• Must be at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
• Must receive Water, Sewer, and/or Garbage services from the City of Kirkland. 
• Your household address is not yet claimed in other applications.

Eligible applicants living in multifamily housing are eligible for low-income utility discounts in the form of flat rebates based on housing unit size and utility type. Your address will determine which utility services your building receives from the City of Kirkland.

If your utilities are included in your rent and you meet the low-income qualifications, you are eligible for the utility discount. Rebate amounts will depend on whether utilities are fully included in your rental bill or are itemized as a separate line in your rental bill.

Only Water, Sewer, and Garbage bills that are held with the City of Kirkland Utility Department are eligible.

Only dogs and cats are eligible for a pet license fee discount.

Visit https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/Departments/Police-Department/Animal-Services/License-Your-Pet  for information on registering your pet by mail, or in person at Kirkland City Hall. When registering your pet, provide a printed copy of your entire Approval email (from FORWARD). Your Approval email must fully show your name, the number of pets approved, and your address.

No. In order to apply the discount you must provide a physical (printed) copy of your Approval email. You can register your pet by mail, or in person at Kirkland City Hall.

A Single-Family home sits on its own property (lot) and has no shared walls or common spaces; Multi- Family housing are buildings with one or more units, each with its own living space.

You may receive a discount for each eligible pet and/or vehicle.

Yes, but only if your household member is listed as a household member in your application. Additionally, the address on the uploaded document must match the address of the applicant. The vehicle registration must also not be expired, and the address on the vehicle registration must be within Kirkland City limits.

• Proof of residency – at least one of the following:
  • Recent utility bill (within 60 days)
  • Signed lease agreement (dated within the last 12 months)
  • 1040 (most recent year)
  • Mortgage statement
  • Property tax bill (dated within the last 12 months)
  • Official government or city correspondence addressed to the applicant
  • Official mail from Government Agency (Benefit Award Letter(s), Social Security, Food Stamps (SNAP), TANF, etc.) (within 60 days)
  • Unhoused individuals will need to submit a letter from a professional agency on a professional letterhead

Documents must show the applicant’s name and address. All documentation must be within 60 days, if not specified.

• Income verification documents – at least one of the following:
  
  • Pay stubs
  • TANF verification letter
  • SSI/SSDI
  • Most recent year’s 1040
  • Most recent year’s income tax return
  • W2 (2023)
  • Unemployment
  • Child Support
  • Applicants with no income are able to provide one of the following:
    • Proof of benefits (EBT)
    • Notarized statement attesting to no income
      • Applicants can receive notary services free of charge at City Hall

• Required documentation for utility assistance.
  • Direct Utility Discount:
    • Applicant must receive a bill from the City of Kirkland for water, sewer, and/or garbage
      • Applicant must supply FORWARD with City of Kirkland Utility account number
  • Utility Rebate:
    • Applicant must live within the City of Kirkland Utility service area
      • If applicants utilities are itemized (separated out) in rental agreement, they must provide FORWARD with a copy of their signed rental agreement outlining utility costs

• Required documentation for vehicle registration rebate:
  • Vehicle registration, OR receipt of paid registration along with the vehicle renewal bill.
    
    • Registration must be issued on or after January 1st, 2024.
      • The Transportation Benefit Districts (TBD line item) fee must be included in the registration document.
    • Applicant must own the vehicle and it must be registered in their name
    • The car must be registered within Kirkland City Limits

Documents must show the applicant’s name, address and the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

• Required documentation for business license discount:
  • Applicants will need to supply FORWARD with their Unique Business Identifier (UBI) Number.
    • Applicants must have an active business license within the City of Kirkland, with a City of Kirkland endorsement.
    • Business address must be within the City of Kirkland

You will receive an email notification if your application is approved. Make sure to check your spam/junk folder if you are still waiting to receive an email. Your payment schedule will depend on the types of rebates and/or discounts that you have qualified for. Your approval email will contain information relevant to the discounts and rebates you qualified for.

No, you will not have to claim the funds on your taxes.

If awarded any of the below you will receive your payment via ACH:

• Utility discount for Multi-family housing units who are within the Kirkland Utility district but do not hold a bill with the City of Kirkland.
• Vehicle registration rebate
• Business license discount

If awarded any of the following, the City of Kirkland will apply the discounts directly to your account:

• Utility discount for Single-family housing units who are within the Kirkland Utility district AND hold a City of Kirkland water/sewer/garbage bill.
• Pet license discount

If you do not have a bank account to get the funds directly deposited into, immediately reach out to your assigned outreach staff member at FORWARD or immediately contact us at kirklandcares@forwardplatform.zendesk.com.

Depending on the type of discounts and or rebates that the approved applicant is eligible for, payment frequencies will vary:

• Rebates and direct discounts applied to utility billing customers will be applied every two months.
• All other discounts/rebates will be applied one time per year.

There will be a recertification process to ensure that approved applicants are still eligible for their appropriate discounts and rebates. This process involves confirming your address and income each year.  This is also an opportunity to share any changes that may impact your discount/rebate payments.

A utility rebate is a payment made to you to cover a part of your utility costs.
A utility discount will be applied directly to your utility bills to reduce the total cost that you are responsible for.