Paying your utility bill doesn’t have to be scary: bill relief funding still available, City of Austin customers urged to act now

October 30, 2020

Halloween is approaching but paying your utility bills doesn't have to be scary — help is available. Late fees will resume on City of Austin Utilities accounts with outstanding balances as of November due dates. Customers are urged to call the City at 512-494-9400 and see what help may be available to them. Late fees will be waived for customers who sign up for payment arrangement plans or receive utility relief funding.

Additional utility relief funding, approved by the Austin City Council in April, is also still available to those in need of financial assistance. To date, City of Austin Utilities has provided more than $7.1 million to more than 13,000 customers who needed help paying their utility bills due to COVID-19 and more funding is available. Customers are urged to seek assistance now to avoid late fees and service disruption.

As City of Austin Utilities begins a phased-in approach to standard collection processes, we want to continue to help as many customers as possible. In addition to financial aid, City of Austin Utilities is offering a new, more flexible payment option that allows customers to pay outstanding balances over a longer time. Residential customers can spread their payments over 36 months, instead of the standard 24-month payment arrangement. If customers have a past-due bill, we encourage them to act now to avoid late-payment fees and maintain services without interruption.

Customers who need help beyond a payment plan are encouraged to contact us to review other available payment options and assistance programs. The City of Austin Customer Assistance Program (CAP) helps residential customers facing temporary and long-term financial difficulties, as well as those with serious medical problems. The Utility Bill Discount Program and the Plus 1 Financial Support Program provide direct, targeted relief to the most vulnerable customers experiencing hardship in paying utility bills. A 10 - 15% reduction in electric, water and wastewater rates for customers enrolled in the City of Austin's Customer Assistance Program will continue for the entirety of fiscal year 2021.

Resources are available for commercial customers at ATXRecovers.com or through Austin Small Business Relief Grant.

Please contact City of Austin Utilities as soon as possible to pay your balance or enter into a payment arrangement at 512-494-9400. To see if you qualify for bill assistance, visit AustinBillHelp.com to learn what options may be available if you have been impacted by COVID-19 and are having trouble paying your utility bills. The City is committed to working with customers during this difficult time.