SHUTOFF NOTICE?Call Portland General Electric at 503-228-6322 before the date on the notice and ask for a payment arrangement. If someone in the home is seriously ill, ask about a medical certificate. Apply for energy assistance at the same time.
Discount rates and monthly credits
Income-Qualified Bill Discount
- What
- A monthly discount between 15% and 80% off your energy use, based on household size and income. It lasts two years, then you re-enroll.
- Who
- Qualifying residential PGE customers at their primary residence, based on household size and average gross annual household income. No financial documents are required to apply.
- How
- Apply online or call 503-228-6322, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Help with a bill you cannot pay
Oregon Energy Assistance Program (OEAP)
- What
- A year-round bill payment assistance program funded by a state-mandated charge on all PGE customers' bills.
- Who
- Households with gross income at or below 60% of State Median Income (for example, $40,326 a year for a household of 1).
- How
- Apply through a local community organization listed on PGE's page. Funds are limited.
Oregon Energy Fund
- What
- One-time grants for customers struggling to pay their utility bills, funded by donations from PGE, other utilities and individuals.
- Who
- Customers who meet Oregon Energy Fund income guidelines, which are slightly higher than LIHEAP and OEAP guidelines.
- How
- Grants are given through community nonprofit organizations.
Payment plans and more time to pay
Payment arrangements and extensions
- What
- Extra time to pay or a more manageable payment plan.
- Who
- PGE customers who need more time to pay.
- How
- Log in to your account or call 503-228-6322.
Budget billing
Equal Pay
- What
- Evens out your monthly bill so you make the same payment every month, with a yearly catch-up month. PGE reviews the amount every four months.
- Who
- Residential customers whose account is current.
- How
- Call 503-228-6322, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Medical needs
Medical Certificate program
- What
- Outreach during outages and Public Safety Power Shutoffs, help building a backup plan, and a specialized team for more flexible billing and payment arrangements. It does not prevent disconnection or give a discount.
- Who
- Customers whose qualified medical provider confirms a medical need for electricity.
- How
- Enroll online, by downloading the form or by calling the Medical Certificate Team at 503-612-3838. A licensed physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant must complete the application.
Free home energy upgrades
Weatherization Assistance
- What
- Free weatherization work such as insulation, air sealing, furnace repair or replacement, heating duct improvements and energy-related minor repairs.
- Who
- Homeowners and renters (with landlord approval) who meet the income guidelines.
- How
- Contact the Community Action agency for your county, such as Multnomah County Weatherization at 503-988-7423.
State energy assistance in Oregon
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Oregon Energy Assistance Program (OEAP), run by the Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS), through local community action agencies, helps households with low income pay heating and cooling bills (the federal LIHEAP program). Contact your local community action agency (use Find Your Community Action Agency). Phone, mail or home-visit applications can be requested. OHCS: 1-800-453-5511, option 1. Official page.
When the utility cannot shut off service in Oregon
- Cold weather: Energy utilities cannot disconnect for nonpayment when the temperature is forecasted to be less than 32 degrees (between November to March). Moratoriums last until 8:00 am the following day.
- Hot weather: No disconnection for nonpayment during a local Heat Advisory, or when the Air Quality Index is at or above 100.
- Medical: A medical certificate from your doctor or other medical professional prevents immediate disconnection and requires the utility to let you set up a payment plan. It does not stop shutoff if payment plans are not kept.
Official text. The protections have conditions: read the rule or ask the utility. You still owe the bill.
To see what your bill should be, use the Portland General Electric bill calculator. To lower it, see the plans and the appliance cost tool. All programs: Portland General Electric assistance page.
How can I get help paying my Portland General Electric bill?
Call Portland General Electric before the due date and ask for a payment arrangement, apply for energy assistance, and ask about its discount programs (Income-Qualified Bill Discount). This page lists each program with its official link.
Does Portland General Electric have a low-income discount?
Income-Qualified Bill Discount: A monthly discount between 15% and 80% off your energy use, based on household size and income. It lasts two years, then you re-enroll. Qualifying residential PGE customers at their primary residence, based on household size and average gross annual household income. No financial documents are required to apply.
Can Portland General Electric shut off my power in winter?
The Oregon rule: Energy utilities cannot disconnect for nonpayment when the temperature is forecasted to be less than 32 degrees (between November to March). Moratoriums last until 8:00 am the following day. The rule has conditions, and you still owe the bill.
utilityratecalc.com is not part of Portland General Electric or a government agency. Programs and amounts change: the official page of each program has the current rules. Checked October 21, 2026.