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Payment Assistance

Payment Assistance 2

Whether you face a short-term financial issue or are on a limited or fixed income, paying your bills can sometimes be challenging.

Tacoma Public Utilities and the City of Tacoma Environmental Services offer a Bill Credit Assistance Plan and a Discount Rate Program to help.

If you are currently receiving SNAP benefits, you are eligible to participate in our Bill Credit Assistance Plan and receive a monthly automatic bill credit for all services, regardless of payment. You can achieve additional monthly credits with full and on-time payments. The credit amount you receive depends on the number of services you receive. 

Monthly bill credits

  • Power – $31.30
  • Water – $8
  • Wastewater – $7
  • Surface water – $3 
  • Solid waste – $9
  • Monthly Total – $58.30 

Achievable additional monthly bill credits

  • Power – $21
  • Water – $5
  • Wastewater – $8 
  • Surface water – $4 
  • Solid waste – $6 
  • Monthly total – $44 

Total Annual Credit: $1,227.60 

To qualify, you must:  

  • Have a current TPU account in your name.  
  • Live in the dwelling full-time as your primary residence.  
  • Have residential, single-metered service (meter cannot be shared with another unit or structure).  

Qualifying households on the Bill Credit Assistance Plan, receive a monthly automatic bill credit for all services, regardless of payment. You can achieve additional monthly credits with full and on-time payments. The credit amount you receive depends on the number of services you receive.

Monthly bill credits

  • Power – $31.30
  • Water – $8
  • Wastewater – $7
  • Surface water – $3
  • Solid waste – $9
  • Monthly Total – $58.30

Achievable additional monthly bill credits

  • Power – $21
  • Water – $5
  • Wastewater – $8
  • Surface water – $4
  • Solid waste – $6
  • Monthly total – $44

Total Annual Credit: $1,227.60

To qualify, you must: 

  • Have a current TPU account in your name. 
  • Live in the dwelling full-time as your primary residence. 
  • Have residential, single-metered service (meter cannot be shared with another unit or structure). 
  • Your household meets the income guidelines* shown in the list below: 

Household Size: 1 
Maximum Monthly Household Income: $4,458

Household Size: 2 
Maximum Monthly Household Income: $5,096

Household Size: 3 
Maximum Monthly Household Income: $5,733

Household Size: 4 
Maximum Monthly Household Income: $6,367 

Household Size: 5 
Maximum Monthly Household Income: $6,879

Household Size: 6 
Maximum Monthly Household Income: $7,388

*Incomes are based on maximum household income before tax. 

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Our Discount Rate Program gives adults over 62 or who qualify for or receive state/federal disability income a 35% discount on electricity, drinking water, solid waste, wastewater, and stormwater.

To qualify, you must: 

  • Have a current TPU account in your name. 
  • Live in the dwelling full-time as your primary residence. 
  • Have residential, single-metered service (meter cannot be shared with another unit or structure). 
  • Your household meets the income guidelines* shown in the list below: 

Household Size: 1 
Maximum Monthly Household Income: $3,346

Household Size: 2 
Maximum Monthly Household Income: $3,821

Household Size: 3 
Maximum Monthly Household Income: $4,300

Household Size: 4 
Maximum Monthly Household Income: $4,775

Household Size: 5 
Maximum Monthly Household Income: $5,158

Household Size: 6 
Maximum Monthly Household Income: $5,542

*Incomes are based on maximum household income before tax 

Submit your application with the required documents. Our agents will review your application, contact you with questions, or let you know which payment assistance option you qualify for. 

Apply Online

OR

Download, complete and mail us the printable application.

Descargue, complete y envíenos por correo la solicitud imprimible.

Required documents

For each household member including the account holder and any additional household members who are 22 and older, provide copies of one of the following:
  • Driver’s license or State Identification card (U.S. only)
  • Military Identification (U.S. only)
  • Resident Alien Identification card (work or Student Visa) (U.S. only)
  • Passport
  • Tribal ID
AND
  • Household income verification for three months before the application submission date. See examples of sources of income on the back page of the application.

We do not require documents for dependents under 21.

When completed, mail the printed application with the supporting documents to:

Tacoma Public Utilities
Customer Solutions Office
3628 South 35th Street
Tacoma WA 98409

Set up a payment arrangement on past due balances to avoid disconnection. 

Enroll in Budget Billing and pay a consistent and predictable utility payment every other month or monthly, depending on your billing cycle.

Manage your account online with MyAccount and take advantage of AutoPay.

Energy efficient rebate programs can reduce your use and help lower your bills.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is designed to help qualifying low-income households meet their immediate home energy needs. This assistance does not require a delinquent balance or shut-off notice.

For information about LIHEAP, contact the following:

To prevent service disconnection during winter months, contact Metropolitan Development Council or Pierce County Human Services.