Help paying utility bills in Washington

Who regulates Washington utilities

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) regulates only privately held or investor-owned companies, such as Puget Sound Energy (PSE). For a public utility district (PUD), a municipal utility or a special district, the UTC says to contact that utility directly. That matters because the rules in this guide, from the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) and the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) at section 80.28.010, are written for regulated companies. Water and sewer service often comes from a city or a district with its own billing terms. Look at your bill first. If it comes from a PUD or a city, ask that provider for its disconnection and assistance policies in writing before a notice arrives.

Winter protection tied to seven percent of income

For homes heated by a regulated utility, state law and WAC 480-100-143 create a winter low income payment program. From November 15 through March 15, the utility may not cut residential space heating service for a customer who qualifies. You must tell the utility you cannot pay, ideally within five business days of a delinquency notice. You then certify your household income to a local agency funded by the Department of Commerce, apply for energy assistance and apply for weatherization if it is available. Winter payments can be no more than seven percent of monthly income, plus one-twelfth of what builds up from your application date through March 15. Everything owed must be paid by October 15 to stay eligible.

Heat alerts and medical grace periods

RCW 80.28.010 requires regulated electric, water and thermal energy utilities to follow a tariff that bars nonpayment shutoffs on any day the National Weather Service has issued, or plans to issue, a heat-related alert such as a heat advisory. If you were already disconnected, you can ask for reconnection on such a day, and any repayment plan the utility requires cannot exceed six percent of monthly income. For medical needs, WAC 480-100-128 gives a five business day grace period once you tell the utility about a condition that requires electricity. A licensed physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant may need to certify it, for up to 60 days unless renewed. The utility may ask for 10 percent of the balance and the rest within 120 days.

Notice steps and days without shutoffs

Washington's rule for electric companies requires a first written notice at least eight business days before a disconnection. A second notice must follow before the shutoff, by a notice left at the door, a mailed notice or at least two phone attempts during business hours. If the utility does not disconnect within 10 business days of the stated date, it must start the notice process over unless you have a payment arrangement. No disconnection can happen on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, or on a day when the utility cannot restore service that day or the next. Remote shutoffs for nonpayment are allowed only between 8 a.m. and noon, and service cannot be cut while you pursue a dispute with the utility or the commission.

LIHEAP through the Department of Commerce

The Washington State Department of Commerce runs the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) through a network of community action agencies and other local organizations. Commerce does not set appointments or decide eligibility. Find your county's agency on the Commerce map and schedule an appointment with it. Bring proof of identity, residence, heating costs and income, though each agency sets its own list. You can apply once per program year, which runs October 1 through September 30. The grant goes directly to your energy provider, and LIHEAP may also repair or replace an unsafe heating or cooling system. Households that qualify may also get weatherization. Commerce warns that LIHEAP will never ask for banking or routing details.

PSE bill help and the Warm Home Fund

PSE offers several programs for income-qualified customers. The Bill Discount Rate gives ongoing help with the monthly bill. The PSE Home Energy Lifeline Program (HELP) helps residential customers pay energy bills, and Past Due Bill Forgiveness can erase old balances after 12 on-time payments. The Salvation Army Warm Home Fund gives short-term emergency payment help to PSE customers facing hardship. PSE also lists payment arrangements, Home Weatherization Assistance and higher rebates through Efficiency Boost. Other utilities run their own programs, so ask yours by name. If a regulated company will not resolve a dispute, file with the UTC using its online form, by email at consumer@utc.wa.gov, by phone or by mail.

Settlemont and Washington privacy rights

Settlemont can help a Washington household ask others to help pay one current bill while a winter plan or LIHEAP grant is being set up. Staff check every submission for duplicates and fraud signals, then verify the biller, the owner and the balance. The public page shows a first name, the state, the category and the verified amount, and support goes directly to the biller. If you post a Medical bill, Washington's My Health My Data Act gives you the right to access your health data, delete it and withdraw consent, and you can write to privacy@settlemont.com. Medical bills also need separate consent and get stricter privacy. Posting is not a promise of payment, so stay in touch with your utility.

Sources

• Revised Code of Washington 80.28.010
• Washington Administrative Code 480-100-128: Disconnection of electric service
• Washington Administrative Code 480-100-143: Winter low-income payment program
• Washington State Department of Commerce: Low-Income Home Energy Assistance
• Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission: File a Complaint
• Puget Sound Energy: Assistance Programs

Facts checked November 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency or utility before relying on a protection.

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