Reduced rates are available for water, sewer and storm water utilities provided by the City of Bellingham. Customers are eligible for a discount on their bill if they are a low-income senior, or disabled adult living in a residence receiving a separate City of Bellingham water or sewer bill. The following table provides the age and income requirements to qualify for a discount:
Effective January 1, 2024
|
Age
| Income |
|---|---|
| 62+ | $52,000 or less |
| 18+ | $52,000 or less and receiving permanent Social Security Disability payments |
Rate Reduction
Qualified customers receive a reduction on their utility bill by the following percentages:
|
Household Income
| Percent Reduction |
|---|---|
| 0 – 50% of the qualifying income | 75% |
| 51% – 75% of the qualifying income | 50% |
| 76% – 100% of the qualifying income | 25% |
Income
Single-family household income includes income from all persons living in the home. This includes income received from wages, retirement benefits, retirement income including IRA’s, social security, supplemental security income (SSI), permanent social security disability income (SSDI), VA Benefits, interest income from savings, bonds, annuities, etc., gross rental income, gross business income, etc. Copies of tax returns with all schedules and supporting documentation must be submitted. If you are applying for a disability reduction, you must provide a current (less than three months old) statement of eligibility, plus the above requirements. You can call the Social Security office at 1-800-772-1213 to request benefit verification.
Application Process
To apply for reduced rates, complete the City of Bellingham Application for Reduced Utility Rates (PDF) and mail or place in the brown drop box located in front of City Hall at 210 Lottie St. Bellingham, WA 98225. Be sure to include a copy of the previous year’s tax return, along with copies of all schedules and supporting documentation for every member of your household. Please do NOT include original documentation. If you need assistance completing your application, call the Finance Department at 360-778-8010 and we can gladly assist you over the phone.
Notification of Change
Customers receiving rate reductions are required to notify the Finance Department immediately when household income level changes, disabled status changes, the house is sold, home is unoccupied, or the house is no longer the primary residence.
Nonprofit Agencies Offering Affordable Housing
The City offers reduced rates to agencies providing affordable housing for low income households. Agencies must be nonprofits or the Bellingham Housing Authority, and the reduced rate is only available for low-income housing where rents are restricted by a federal, state or city housing program for households earning less than 60 percent (60%) of area median income. See BMC 15.04.070(C). Please find the application here. For additional information, please contact Samya Lutz at 360-778-8385.
