Utility Bill Assistance

Having trouble paying your utility bill?

Assistance programs are available for qualifying customers. Please email our Utility Billing Team or call us at 503-681-6163 if you are behind on payment and we can discuss the available options.

City of Hillsboro Utility Assistance

Customers who need help paying a current or past-due utility bill can stay connected to City utility services through our Utility Assistance Program.

Please read the full details on each program to see if you qualify and learn how to apply.

Updated Eligibility & Assistance Guidelines

The City collaborated with program partners Community Action, Centro Cultural, and Salvation Army to update eligibility and program guidelines in July 2024.

Under the expanded program, more community members will now qualify for bill relief. We also adjusted the amount and structure of bill relief offered to better meet customer needs.

Community Resources

If you do not qualify for utility assistance, there are many other local assistance and affordability resources that may be helpful. Visit our Community Resources webpage for information on reduced garbage rates, energy & rent assistance, food pantries, and more.

Flexible Payment Plans

Flexible payment plans help you pay off a past-due and/or current utility bill in ways that work for your budget and schedule.

Flexible Payment Plan Eligibility

You are eligible for a flexible payment plan if:

You are not able to pay a current bill on time.
You need flexibility in paying a balance on a past-due bill.
You have not defaulted on a prior payment plan within the last 12 months.
You do not have a past-due account that has been sent to debt collection.

Customers with accounts in debt collection must pay the past due amount to the collection agency in full or request to set up a payment plan directly with the agency to become eligible for a City payment plan. Customers who default on a payment plan with a collection agency may be subject to service shut-off and will not be eligible for future payment plans through the City until the collection agency is paid in full.

Request a Flexible Payment Plan

Bill Relief

Customers who receive services from government assistance programs or meet household income guidelines may be eligible for bill relief in an amount based on household size, as shown below.

Household Size	Assistance in a 12-Month Period
1 to 4	$300
5 to 8	$400
9 or more	$500

To request bill relief:

Review the eligibility guidelines below to determine if your household qualifies.
Verify your eligibility with one of our community partners online, in person, or by mail.

Our Utility Billing Team will contact you to confirm bill relief assistance will be applied to your current or past due bill(s).

Bill Relief Eligibility

Our community partners will use one of two qualifications to determine customer eligibility. You must be listed on the utility bill and meet one qualification — you are not required to meet both.

Government Assistance Programs: You receive government assistance.

OR

Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Criteria: Your household earns at or below 60% of Median Income for the past 30 days.

Government Assistance Programs

Customers who are currently enrolled in one or more of the following programs are eligible for bill relief.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Woman, Infants, Children (WIC)
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Oregon Health Plan (OHP)
Free and Reduced Lunch
Energy Assistance Program
Public Housing, Section 8 Choice Voucher Program, or Project Based Voucher Program

2025 Utility Assistance Income Guidelines

Customers who are past-due on a utility bill and have a household income at or below 60% Oregon Median Income for the past 30 days are eligible for bill relief. Gross income includes income earned by all adults in the household before any deductions.

Household Members	Annual Gross Income	Monthly Gross Income
1	$36,811	$3,067.48
2	$48,138	$4,011.50
3	$59,464	$4,955.33
4	$70,790	$5.899.17
5	$82,117	$6,843.08
6	$93,443	$7,786.92
7	$95,567	$7,963.92
8	$97,690	$8,140.83
9	$99,814	$8,317.83
10	$101,983	$8,494.83
11	$104,062	$8,671.83
12	$106,185	$8,848.75
Each Additional Member	Add $2,123	Add $176.92

Qualify With a Community Partner

Please work with ONE of our three community partners to verify and receive proof of eligibility.

Community Action

Verification Methods

Online

Verify eligibility on Community Action’s website.

In Person

Community Action
1001 SW Baseline Street
Hillsboro, OR

Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 am to 12 pm, 1 pm to 5 pm

By Mail

Download & print the Bill Relief Eligibility form.

For questions, contact Community Action at 503-648-6646.

Centro Cultural

Verification Methods

In Person

Centro de Prosperidad
265 SE Oak St, Suite A
Hillsboro, OR

Hours:
Monday through Thursday: 8:30 am to 1 pm, 2 to 6 pm
Friday: 8:30 am to 12:30 pm

By Mail

Download & print the Bill Relief Eligibility form.

For questions, contact Centro Cultural at 503-336-9895.

Salvation Army

Verification Methods

In Person

Salvation Army
1440 SE 21st Ave.
Hillsboro, OR 97123

Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 9 am to 12 pm, 1 pm to 4 pm

By Mail

Download & print the Bill Relief Eligibility form.

For questions, contact the Salvation Army at 503-640-4311.

Reduce Your Utility Bill

Water Conservation

Visit our Conservation and Sustainability webpage for resources on reducing water use, water leak adjustments, water efficiency rebates, our home water audits, and more.

Transportation Utility Fee (TUF) Discounts

If no one in your household owns a vehicle or you have an annual TriMet pass, you may be eligible for a Transportation Utility Fee Discount to lower your Utility Bill.

Weatherization & Efficiency

Find more ways to reduce utility bills on our Community Resources webpage.

Bridge from HiLight

Hilight Bridge logo Hillsboro residents who participate in government assistance programs or have a household income at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Limit may qualify for gigabit internet service for just $10 per month.