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Utility Bill Discounts
Customer Assistance Programs
City of Austin Utility Bill Relief
As our community comes together to respond to the concerns of COVID-19, the City has taken steps to ensure customers have uninterrupted access to utility services and that customers experiencing hardships due to COVID-19 can get immediate utility bill help.
These measures are in effect indefinitely or so long as funds remain:
- All customers in need will be placed on payment arrangements.
- Customer Assistance Program (CAP) Utility Bill Discounts on electric charges are increased from 10% to 15%. Customers with household incomes at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level may receive the CAP discount.
- The Financial Support Plus 1 fund has received additional funding. Customers who experience financial hardship due to the effects of COVID-19 are eligible for the Plus 1 Program.
Normal billing operations, including the assessment of late fees, resume in November 2020. Disconnections for non-payment are expected to resume in 2021.
Customers who are having difficulty paying their utility bill should contact City of Austin Utilities at 512-494-9400 as soon as possible.
Customers on low or fixed incomes who participate in certain state, federal, or local assistance programs can benefit from the City of Austin's Customer Assistance Programs (CAP) utility discounts. CAP Utility Bill Discounts can help reduce utility bills an average of $650 a year.
You may qualify for the following waivers and discounts:
- Electric Service Customer Charge waiver
- Discount on your total electrical usage
- Discount on your Community Benefit Charges
- Water Service Customer Charge waiver
- Water Tiered Fixed Charge waiver
- Water Volume Charge discount
- Wastewater Service Customer Charge waiver
- Wastewater Volume Charge Discount
- Drainage Fee 50% discount
Eligibility
You may be eligible if you or someone in your household participates in one of these programs:
- Medicaid Program
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
- Telephone Lifeline Program
- Travis County Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP)
- Medical Access Program (MAP)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
-
Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH)
You may also be eligible for the program if your household income is less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level:
Persons in Household | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
Total Annual Income | $25,760 | $34,840 | $43,920 | $53,000 | $62,080 | $71,160 | $80,240 | $89,320 |
If you are qualifying using your total household income, you must provide proof of household income with this application:
- Copy of most recent pay stub(s) from all employers covering the last two months for all members of the household
- Your most recently filed tax return (must be signed) or W-2 form
- A signed letter from each employer indicating the level of your wage
- Documentation of social security income
- Copy of an unemployment form with eligibility dates
- Copies of the two most recent unemployment checks
- Copy of the most recent bank statement showing direct deposit of income (for SSI, Social Security, annuity, pension)
Please call 855-319-6630 with any questions you may have about eligibility.
How to Apply
Print the application:
- Customer Assistance Discount Program Application (pdf)
- Solicitud para el Programa de Descuentos de Asistencia al Cliente (pdf)
Complete the application, include documentation of participation in one of the above programs, and send to:
City of Austin Utilities - Customer Care Contact Center - Customer Assistance Programs
PO Box 848
Killeen, Texas 76540-9915
You may also fax the form to 855-319-6629 or call 855-319-6630 to request a form by mail.