All are welcome here.
Utility assistance programs are open to all income-qualified customers to apply, regardless of their race, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or presence of a disability. We are committed to serving all utility customers and do not ask about citizenship or immigration status.
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ይህ ይዘት በሙያዊ በሌሎች ቋንቋዎች ተተርጉሟል።
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ເນື້ອໃນນີ້ໄດ້ຖືກແປເປັນມືອາຊີບໃນພາສາອື່ນ.
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Utility Assistance Programs
Open to all qualified residential customers, these programs may help you lower your utility bills.
Utility Discount Program (UDP)
- The Utility Discount Program provides 60% off electricity bills and 50% off water, sewer, and garbage bills — every month
Bill Assistance
- Seattle City Light (electricity)
- Up to $700+ each year with Emergency Bill Assistance (EBA)
- A $250 bill credit with Project Share
- Seattle Public Utilities (water, sewer, garbage)
- Up to $500+ per year with Emergency Assistance Program (EAP)
Check the income requirements to see if you might qualify.
If you don’t qualify or need more time to pay, Seattle City Light and Seattle Public Utilities also offer payment plans.
Received a shutoff notice? Call (206) 684‑3000 right away (Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM - 6 PM). Visit the Seattle City Light and Seattle Public Utilities websites for more information.
How to Apply
One application lets you apply for multiple utility assistance programs.
Online (Recommended)
Apply at the Utility Assistance Programs website, and see the Online Application How-To Guide (PDF).
Paper Application
Download a paper application form (PDF) to submit by mail, fax, or email.
Contact (206) 684-3000 or SPUCustomerService@seattle.gov to have a paper application mailed to you.
In-Person
Visit the Human Services Department - Central Building at 810 3rd Ave, Suite 440, Seattle, WA 98104 (Monday - Friday, 8:00 - 10:00 AM and 12:00 - 2:00 PM).
Frequently Asked Questions
Don’t wait to apply for utility assistance. Call us right away at (206) 684-3000; Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM. to 6:00 PM to discuss your options.
If your service has been disconnected, you can learn more about restoring your Seattle City Light electric service and/or Seattle Public Utilities water service.
2026 Income Guidelines
Income Definitions
- Household Income (before taxes): The total income for everyone in your home before taxes are taken out.
- Household Size: Everyone who lives with you (family members, roommates, and others), whether they are related to you or not.
Utility Discount Program
Ongoing monthly discount for electric and water bills.
| Household Size | Monthly Income (Before Taxes) | Yearly Income (Before Taxes) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4,269 | $51,228 |
| 2 | $5,582 | $66,984 |
| 3 | $6,895 | $82,740 |
| 4 | $8,209 | $98,508 |
| 5 | $9,522 | $114,264 |
| 6 | $10,836 | $130,032 |
| 7 | $11,082 | $132,984 |
| 8 | $11,328 | $135,936 |
| 9 | $11,575 | $138,900 |
| 10 | $11,821 | $141,852 |
| Each Additional Person | +$247 | +$2,964 |
Emergency Bill Assistance and Emergency Assistance Program
Help with your electric and/or water bills.
| Household Size | Monthly Income (Before Taxes) | Yearly Income (Before Taxes) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4,878 | $58,536 |
| 2 | $6,379 | $76,548 |
| 3 | $7,881 | $94,572 |
| 4 | $9,382 | $112,584 |
| 5 | $10,883 | $130,596 |
| 6 | $12,384 | $148,608 |
| 7 | $12,665 | $151,980 |
| 8 | $12,947 | $155,364 |
| 9 | $13,228 | $158,736 |
| 10 | $13,509 | $162,108 |
| Each Additional Person | +$281 | +$3,372 |
Project Share
Additional help for electric bills.
| Household Size | Monthly Income (Before Taxes) | Yearly Income (Before Taxes) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7,680 | $92,160 |
| 2 | $8,784 | $105,408 |
| 3 | $9,876 | $118,512 |
| 4 | $10,960 | $131,520 |
| 5 | $11,840 | $142,080 |
| 6 | $12,720 | $152,640 |
| 7 | $13,596 | $163,152 |
| 8 | $14,484 | $173,808 |
| 9 | $15,348 | $184,176 |
| 10 | $16,225 | $194,700 |
| Each Additional Person | +$875 | +$10,500 |
Income requirements are updated each year.
Do you qualify? Apply now for utility assistance.
You can also visit the Utility Discount Program, Seattle City Light Bill Assistance, and Seattle Public Utilities Bill Assistance webpages for more information.
Confirm Your Account Information
- Check that your name is listed on the utility bill. (Only the account holder can apply.)
- Find your account number:
- On your bill
- On the My Utility Services website
- Or by calling (206) 684 3000 (Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM - 6 PM.)
Gather Your Documents
- Photo ID for all adults in your household (18 years and older)
- Income documents for all adults 18 years and older
- You may need to provide these to verify your income.
If the person whose name is on the Seattle City Light bill is part of a SNAP household, you do not need to provide any income documents. We recommend using the paper application (PDF).
You can scan, copy, print or fax your documents for free at:
- Downtown Utility Services Counters
- Customer Services Centers (Ballard, Central, Lake City, Southeast, Southwest, University District)
- Seattle Public Library
- King County Library
Please provide photo ID for all adults in your household (18 years and older) with your application.
Accepted forms of photo ID include:
- State Driver’s License or ID
- Passport
- U.S. Military ID
- Tribal ID
- Permanent Resident Card
You only need to provide a copy of the front of the ID or the photo page of the passport. We accept IDs that have expired within the last year.
Please provide documents that show any income or benefits received by every adult (18 and older) in your home for the most recent full month. For example, if today is June 15, you need to submit income documents for May.
Income Last Month
- Paycheck or Salary: All pay stubs received during the last full month
- Pension or Annuity: Monthly statement, 1099 from last year, or bank statement showing monthly deposit
- Social Security: Social Security, SSI, SSA 1099, or Survivor Benefits Award Letter from the Social Security website or bank statement with social security deposit
- Self-Employed (Gig Work, Cash Labor, Business Owner; includes LLCs, S corps, and sole proprietorships): Full tax return from last year and Declaration of Self-Employment Form
- Unemployment: Employment Security Department (ESD) Form, which can be downloaded at the Employment Security Department
- Active-Duty Military, Federal, or State Employees: Provide a Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) from your branch’s pay system, either Federal or WA State
- Rental Income: Lease agreement
- Money from an agency, family, or friends: Declaration of Limited Income form (PDF) and Employment Security Department (ESD) form (you will be provided this form when you submit your application)
Benefits Last Month
- TANF/ABD, HEN, SNAP, or DSHS Benefits: DSHS award letter (cover + calculation pages). You can access these at the Washington Connection website or contacting your DSHS caseworker
- SNAP Recipients: You can use the DSHS award letter as proof of income.
- Labor & Industries (L&I) – Wage Replacement and Workers’ Compensation: L&I statement
- Long-Term or Private Disability: Benefits statement from your insurance provider
- Child Support: A court-ordered document or letter from parent paying child support
- Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA): RCA award letter
- Veteran’s Benefits: Veterans Affairs Benefits Letter from the Veterans Affairs website
Grants, Loans, and Investments Last Month
- Investment Income or Dividends: Statement showing investment income or dividends
- Student Financial Aid: Upload Financial Aid and tuition statement from last term (i.e. quarter or semester)
Account Holder Receives SNAP (Express Application)
If the person named on the Seattle City Light bill is listed on the DSHS SNAP award letter, income documents are not required. You only need to provide the DSHS SNAP award letter (cover and calculation pages) that shows their name.
Other Household Members Receive SNAP
If the account holder does not receive SNAP, all household members must submit income documents.
However, any household member who receives SNAP may use their DSHS SNAP award letter (cover and calculation pages, including the Food Program income calculation) as proof of income. No additional income documents are needed for people listed on that SNAP letter.
You can access the DSHS SNAP award letter at the Washington Connection website or by contacting your DSHS caseworker.
We partner with affordable housing providers to do automatic enrollment and streamlined applications (i.e. Express Rate Applications).
If you live in affordable housing, please check with your housing provider before you apply. You may already be enrolled in the Utility Discount Program and/or they may be able to help you complete your application.
Visit a service counter or your local library to scan, fax, print, or copy documents for free:
- Downtown Utility Services Counters
- Customer Services Centers (Ballard, Central, Lake City, Southeast, Southwest, University District)
- Seattle Public Library
- King County Library
You can apply in the way that works for you.
Online
Visit the Utility Assistance Programs website
Paper Application
- Mail: Seattle Utility Assistance Programs, 810 3rd Ave, Suite 440, Seattle, WA 98104
- Email: UDP@seattle.gov
- Fax: (206) 621-5012
Call to Request a Paper Application
Call (206) 684-0268 (Monday - Thursday, 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM) to request a copy of the paper application. Interpretation is available for free.
In Person
Go to the Human Services Department offices in the Central Building
810 3rd Ave, Suite 440, Seattle, WA 98104
(Monday - Friday, 8:00 - 10:00 AM and 12:00 - 2:00 PM). Interpretation is available for free.
After you submit your application, our team will review it.
- If your application is complete, we will check your eligibility
- If anything is missing, we will contact you to request the information. Incomplete applications take longer to review.
If you are approved, we will apply your Utility Discount Program savings and any bill assistance directly to your utility bill. Your discount will be back dated to the date of your application.
If your application is denied, you must wait 30 days/one month to re-apply.
Online Applicants
You can check the status of your application by:
- Visiting the Utility Assistance Programs website
- Selecting Apply Now
- Logging into your account
- Please do not make any changes to your application after it has been submitted (e.g. uploading new documents) unless requested by a Utility Assistance team member.
In addition to the utility assistance programs offered by the city[DK1] , Seattle City Light customers may also qualify for additional State (SHEAP) and Federal (LIHEAP) energy assistance programs. City Light does not administer these programs. Please contact the LIHEAP / SHEAP agency near you for more information.
You can also learn more about other Assistance and Discounts on childcare, food, housing, home repairs, internet, and transportation.