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Utility Bill Discounts

Customer Assistance Programs

City of Austin Official Seal

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 from now until September 30, 2020:

All utility disconnects for non-payment are suspended and all late fees are waived.
All customers in need will be placed on payment arrangements.
Regulatory electric charges are reduced by 32% for residential and commercial customers, which will result in about a 4% reduction of the total bill. This change for residential customers is in effect immediately and on May 1, 2020 for commercial customers.
Rates for all residential electric customers are set at 7.814 cents/kWh for usage above 1,000 kWh.
Residential water rates (Tiers 1-3) and wastewater (Tiers 1-2) volume are reduced by 10%.
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.

Get more information about City of Austin Bill Relief

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:

2020 Federal Poverty Guidelines
Persons in Household	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Total Annual Income	$25,520	$34,480	$43,440	$52,400	$61,360	$70,320	$79,280	$88,240

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.