Beginning in January 2027, thousands more Seattle households will be eligible for discounts on electricity, water, sewer and garbage bills as the city expands the income limits for its Utility Discount Program.
Under the new eligibility standards approved by the Seattle City Council this summer, households earning less than 60% of the area median income will qualify for the program. Based on 2026 income levels, that means a single person earning up to $66,000 annually or a family of four earning up to $94,260 could qualify.
City officials estimate the change will expand eligibility by nearly 30%, potentially making more than 31,000 additional households eligible for assistance.
The Utility Discount Program provides qualifying residential customers with a 60% discount on future Seattle City Light electricity bills and a 50% discount on future Seattle Public Utilities water, sewer and garbage bills.
According to the city, participating households save an average of $120 to $205 per month.
The expansion comes as households throughout the Seattle area continue to face affordability pressures while the costs associated with providing electricity, water, sewer and garbage services are also increasing.
Seattle’s Human Services Department administers applications and enrollment for the program. In 2025, customers received $50.1 million in assistance through Utility Discount Program reductions, according to the city.
The department has also been working to increase enrollment among people who already qualify. Earlier this year, HSD eliminated a backlog of approximately 3,500 applications and reported that new net enrollment increased 300% compared with the same period in 2025.
As eligibility expands, the city is working with food banks, affordable housing providers and other community organizations to reach residents who may qualify and streamline the enrollment process.
The Utility Discount Program is designed to reduce future monthly bills, but Seattle is also expanding programs intended to help customers who need more immediate assistance.
Income eligibility for the city’s emergency utility assistance programs will increase to 80% of area median income.
Seattle City Light currently offers $710 or more toward past-due electricity bills for qualifying customers, along with an additional $250 credit available through Project Share. Seattle Public Utilities offers $537 or more toward qualifying customers’ current water, sewer and garbage bills.
Customers who do not qualify for income-based assistance but need additional time to pay their bills can also establish payment plans. Those plans are available to all customers and allow outstanding balances to be paid in smaller installments over time.
Residents may also qualify for state or federal energy assistance programs in addition to city programs.
For households trying to determine whether they qualify for the Utility Discount Program, the city provides an online eligibility tool and application information.
The expanded Utility Discount Program income limits take effect in January 2027.
