- What
- An automatic monthly bill credit regardless of payment, including Power – $31.30 a month, plus an achievable additional Power credit of $21 a month for full, on-time payments. With all utility services the total annual credit is $1,227.60.
- Who
- Households with maximum monthly household income before tax of $4,458 for 1 person up to $7,388 for 6 people, with a TPU account in their name at their full-time, single-metered home. Streamlined acceptance if anyone in the household gets WIC, TANF, SNAP or ADB.
- How
- Apply online, or mail the printable application with ID and income documents to Tacoma Public Utilities, Customer Solutions Office, 3628 South 35th Street, Tacoma WA 98409.
Help paying your Tacoma Power bill
There are 5 ways to get help with a Tacoma Power bill: discounts, payment plans, budget billing and senior programs. Each program below links to its official page, with who qualifies and how to apply.
- 5 programs
- From official pages
- Checked October 21, 2026
SHUTOFF NOTICE?
Call Tacoma Power at 253-502-8600 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
Payment plans and more time to pay
- What
- A payment arrangement on past-due balances to avoid disconnection.
- Who
- Customers with a past-due balance.
- How
- Log in to MyAccount or call 253-502-8608.
Budget billing
- What
- A consistent monthly payment based on the previous year's use, recalculated every 12 months.
- Who
- Residential customers with metered service whose current balance is paid.
- How
- Enroll in MyAccount, or call Customer Services at 253-502-8600 or 800-752-6745.
Seniors and people with disabilities
- What
- A 35% discount on electricity, drinking water, solid waste, wastewater and stormwater.
- Who
- Adults over 62 or who qualify for or receive state/federal disability income, with maximum monthly household income before tax of $3,346 for 1 person up to $5,542 for 6 people, a TPU account in their name, and single-metered service at their full-time home.
- How
- Apply online, or mail the printable application with required documents to Tacoma Public Utilities, Customer Solutions Office, 3628 South 35th Street, Tacoma WA 98409.
Other programs
- What
- Help to prevent service disconnection during winter months.
- Who
- Eligible low-income households.
- How
- Contact Metropolitan Development Council or Pierce County Human Services.
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 Tacoma Power bill calculator. To lower it, see the plans and the appliance cost tool. All programs: Tacoma Power assistance page.
How can I get help paying my Tacoma Power bill?
Call Tacoma Power before the due date and ask for a payment arrangement, apply for energy assistance, and ask about its discount programs (Bill Credit Assistance Plan). This page lists each program with its official link.
Does Tacoma Power have a low-income discount?
Bill Credit Assistance Plan: An automatic monthly bill credit regardless of payment, including Power – $31.30 a month, plus an achievable additional Power credit of $21 a month for full, on-time payments. With all utility services the total annual credit is $1,227.60. Households with maximum monthly household income before tax of $4,458 for 1 person up to $7,388 for 6 people, with a TPU account in their name at their full-time, single-metered home. Streamlined acceptance if anyone in the household gets WIC, TANF, SNAP or ADB.
Can Tacoma Power 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 Tacoma Power or a government agency. Programs and amounts change: the official page of each program has the current rules. Checked October 21, 2026.