Seattle City Council expands Utility Discount Program for low-income households (2027)

Seattle City Council unanimously approved Council Bill 121222 on July 14, 2026, expanding the City’s Utility Discount Program to reach 31,000 additional low-income households.

The update matters for monthly budgeting: eligible households will be able to receive discounts on bills from Seattle City Light (electricity) and Seattle Public Utilities (water/sewer/garbage).

Quick primer: how the Utility Discount Program works

• 60% discount on Seattle City Light electricity bills
• 50% discount on Seattle Public Utilities water, sewer, and garbage bills

What changed in Council Bill 121222

Under the expanded rules, households qualify based on income—specifically, households that earn less than 60% of area median income become eligible.

City Council’s action also frames the change as a shift toward using area median income (instead of the lower measure tied to earlier eligibility), so more households can access the program.

Timeline: discounts begin in 2027

Council Bill 121222 takes effect January 1, 2027. City Light and Seattle Public Utilities also say the eligibility expansion lines up with the start of new utility rates in January 2027.

What residents should do now

• If you might qualify, plan ahead for January 2027 and watch for updated eligibility/enrollment messaging from City Light and Seattle Public Utilities.
• Powerlines notes that if you don’t qualify under today’s rules, you should check again next year when the expanded income eligibility begins.

What to watch next

The Council action also includes an instruction to request annual reports on efforts to increase Utility Discount Program participation, starting next year and running through 2031.

Sources

• Seattle City Council Blog (July 14, 2026): Utility Discount Program expansion approved
• Legistar: Council Bill 121222 (full text + ordinance mechanics/effective date)
• Powerlines (Seattle Public Utilities/City Light blog): Expanding assistance for customers (June 15, 2026)
• Seattle Utilities: Utility Discount Program overview (resident info)