SHUTOFF NOTICE?Call Avista Utilities at 800-227-9187 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
My Energy Discount – Washington
- What
- A monthly bill discount based on household size and income. The discount lasts for two years and is higher from November through April.
- Who
- Washington residential customers with household income at or below the program limits for their county and household size (for example, $7,367 or less each month for a 4 person household in Spokane County).
- How
- Apply online with no paperwork, by mail with the paper application, by phone at (800) 227-9187, or in person at your local community action agency.
Help with a bill you cannot pay
Hardship Grants
- What
- Grants for customers who need immediate help with their energy bill.
- Who
- Customers in need, as decided by the local community action agency.
- How
- Contact your local community action agency.
Project Share
- What
- A donation-based program that gives grants to help with energy costs during emergencies or tough times. Funds go to local community action agencies.
- Who
- People who qualify through their local community action agency, whether or not they are Avista customers.
- How
- Contact your local community action agency.
Payment plans and more time to pay
Past Due Balance Programs
- What
- Programs to help income-qualified customers catch up on a past-due balance.
- Who
- Income-qualified customers.
- How
- Call (800) 227-9187.
Payment Arrangements
- What
- Set up a payment plan that works for you. Some restrictions may apply.
- Who
- Customers who need more time to pay.
- How
- Sign in online, or call (800) 227-9187.
Budget billing
Comfort Level Billing
- What
- Divides your yearly energy use into equal monthly payments so the bill is the same each month. It does not lower your total cost.
- Who
- Avista customers.
- How
- Enroll online on the Comfort Level Billing page.
Medical needs
Life Support Program
- What
- Electric service for life support customers will not be disconnected for nonpayment. Customers who fall behind must make payment arrangements.
- Who
- Customers with in-home equipment that needs electricity to sustain human life. A form signed by a physician is required.
- How
- Contact the CARES team at (888) 700-2757 or caresqueue@avistacorp.com to submit the form.
Other programs
Preferred Due Date
- What
- Lets you line up your bill due date with your payday.
- Who
- Avista customers.
- How
- Call (800) 227-9187.
State energy assistance in Washington
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), run by the Washington State Department of Commerce, through community action agencies and local partners, helps households with low income pay heating and cooling bills (the federal LIHEAP program). Schedule an appointment with the provider for your county. Use the LIHEAP public map tool to find it. Commerce does not decide eligibility. Official page.
When the utility cannot shut off service in Washington
- Cold weather: Between November 15th and March 15th, an electric utility may not discontinue residential space heating service if the customer tells the utility they cannot pay, shows they qualify, applies for energy assistance, and pays a monthly amount (no more than seven percent of monthly income plus one-twelfth of billings).
- Hot weather: A utility must set conditions in its tariff under which it will stop nonvoluntary disconnections during inclement weather events.
- Medical: The utility must postpone or reinstate service for a grace period of five business days after notice of a medical condition or emergency. The utility may require certification from a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or physician's assistant; it is valid up to sixty days unless renewed.
Rule: WAC 480-100-143 (winter); WAC 480-100-128 (medical, weather). 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 Avista Utilities bill calculator. To lower it, see the plans and the appliance cost tool. All programs: Avista Utilities assistance page.
How can I get help paying my Avista Utilities bill?
Call Avista Utilities before the due date and ask for a payment arrangement, apply for energy assistance, and ask about its discount programs (My Energy Discount – Washington). This page lists each program with its official link.
Does Avista Utilities have a low-income discount?
My Energy Discount – Washington: A monthly bill discount based on household size and income. The discount lasts for two years and is higher from November through April. Washington residential customers with household income at or below the program limits for their county and household size (for example, $7,367 or less each month for a 4 person household in Spokane County).
Can Avista Utilities shut off my power in winter?
The Washington rule: Between November 15th and March 15th, an electric utility may not discontinue residential space heating service if the customer tells the utility they cannot pay, shows they qualify, applies for energy assistance, and pays a monthly amount (no more than seven percent of monthly income plus one-twelfth of billings). The rule has conditions, and you still owe the bill.
utilityratecalc.com is not part of Avista Utilities or a government agency. Programs and amounts change: the official page of each program has the current rules. Checked October 21, 2026.