Back-to-school season is almost here, and for many Austin families, the price tag can pile up fast, from everyday expenses to school supplies and more.
As families prepare for a new school year, many are also juggling rising utility bills and other household expenses. To help ease that burden, City of Austin Utilities and Austin Energy are stepping in to help residents with limited incomes in a couple of ways: by sponsoring the annual CBS Austin and Telemundo Austin Backpack Giveaway and by offering support through their Customer Assistance Program. Sandra Castillo joined We Are Austin to highlight the city’s Customer Assistance Program and explain how eligible residents can access available resources.
Sandra Castillo joined We Are Austin to highlight the city’s Customer Assistance Program and explain how eligible residents can access available resources.
A Family of Assistance Programs
Rather than a single service, the Customer Assistance Program includes several initiatives that help Austin residents pay their utility bills and stay connected to essential services.
“Our Customer Assistance Program is the umbrella of all customer utility programs that help our residential customers who are struggling to pay their utility bill or who have some serious medical needs,” Castillo said.
The three primary programs include:
The Discount ProgramPlus 1 Emergency Financial AssistanceThe Medically Vulnerable Registry
As families prepare for a new school year, many are also juggling rising utility bills and other household expenses. To help ease that burden, City of Austin Utilities and Austin Energy are stepping in to help residents
Monthly Discounts for Eligible Customers
The Discount Program provides qualifying households with monthly savings on their City of Austin utility bills.
“If you have all your City of Austin utility services through us, you’re looking at about $1,000 a year in savings,” Castillo said.
Households may qualify if someone living in the home receives certain local, state or federal assistance benefits, such as SNAP, Medicaid or CHIP, or if the household meets income eligibility guidelines.
Temporary Help During Financial Hardships
The Plus 1 Emergency Financial Assistance Program is designed for customers experiencing temporary hardships, including job loss or unexpected medical expenses.
The program is administered through local social service partners, who work directly with families to determine eligibility and provide assistance with utility bills.
Support for Medically Vulnerable Residents
The Medically Vulnerable Registry serves customers who rely on life-support equipment at home or who are living with critical medical conditions.
In addition to specialized support, participants receive help creating an emergency backup plan in case of a power outage.
Easy Ways to Apply
Because each program has different eligibility requirements, Castillo recommends contacting City of Austin Utilities directly.
“The easiest way is always to either go online or call us,” she said. “We’ll walk you through it all.”
Community Connections Resource Fair
Residents can also learn more about available services at the annual Community Connections Resource Fair, a free, family-friendly event that brings together City departments, nonprofit organizations and community partners in one location.
Attendees can connect with resources related to:
Medical assistanceFood supportHousing servicesUtility assistanceAnd more
“We really try to make it a one-stop shop for folks,” Castillo said.
Residents can also learn more about available services at the annual Community Connections Resource Fair, a free, family-friendly event that brings together City departments, nonprofit organizations and community partners in one location.
Supporting Families During Back-to-School Season
City of Austin Utilities and Austin Energy are also proud sponsors of the annual CBS Austin and Telemundo Austin Backpack Giveaway, helping local students start the school year with the supplies they need.
“Oftentimes the folks that are lining up for backpacks are the reason why our programs exist,” Castillo said. “If we can collectively ease one or both of those burdens, it goes a long way to help people.”
To learn more about the Customer Assistance Program or determine eligibility, visit AustinTexas.gov/Utilities.
As families prepare for a new school year, many are also juggling rising utility bills and other household expenses. To help ease that burden, City of Austin Utilities and Austin Energy are stepping in to help residents