Utility Discount Program (UDP)

Don’t wait to apply for utility assistance. Call us right away at 206-684-3000; Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM to 6 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. 

In addition to the Utility Discount Program, we offer:

• 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) 

You can find your Seattle City Light or Seattle Public Utilities account number:  

• On your bill  
• On the My Utility Services Website, or  
• By calling (206) 684-3000 (Monday – Friday, 7:30 AM – 6 PM)  

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 https://www.ssa.gov/ 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 https://secure.esd.wa.gov/  
• Active-Duty Military, Federal, or State Employees: Provide a Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) from your branch’s pay system (e.g., https://mypay.dfas.mil/ (Federal) or https://myportal.wa.gov/ (WA State))
• Money from an agency, family, or friends: Declaration of Limited Income form and Employment Security Department (ESD) form (you will be provided this form when you submit your application)
• Rental Income: Lease agreement

Benefits Last Month

• TANF/ABD, HEN, SNAP, or DSHS Benefits: DSHS award letter (cover + calculation pages). You can access these at https://www.washingtonconnection.org/ or contacting your DSHS caseworker
  • SNAP Recipients: You can use the DSHS award letter as proof of income. (See the response to the next question for more information.)
• 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 https://www.va.gov/my-va/

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 these at https://www.washingtonconnection.org/ 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 https://utilityassistance.seattle.gov  

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 3 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 - 10 AM and Noon - 2 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 https://utilityassistance.seattle.gov/
• 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.

For a full description of the policies and procedures associated with the Utility Discount Program, see Seattle Public Utilities' Director's Rule CS-700 or Seattle City Light's Department Policy and Procedure 500 P III-428.