Having trouble paying your City of Salem utility bill? We can help!

The City of Salem has the following assistance programs available to eligible customers in need of help to pay their bill.

Payment Plans

Do you need more time to pay your utility bill? You might be eligible to set up a payment plan that gives you extra time or spreads your balance due over time. You can set up payment plans over the phone.

Eligibility

• You must be the person listed on the City of Salem utility account.
• You must not have  any missed payment plans in the last three months.
• Your water service must not be shutoff due to nonpayment.

Who to Contact

• Call our Utility Customer Care Team at 503-588-6099, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Email us at UtilityBilling@cityofsalem.net

Emergency Utility Assistance Program

If you need short-term help with your utility bill for your home, you may qualify for up to $350 in assistance for the year 2025. This can help go towards your past due or current bill, but not more than $350 for the year.

Eligibility

• You must be the person listed on a single-family residential City of Salem utility account.
• Your household income must meet income guidelines for the qualifying agency.
  • The Salvation Army – you must meet The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) income guidelines.
• The assistance can only be used for utility charges, not for fees related to violations like meter tampering, meter obstruction, or meter bypass.
• You need to requalify every year with the agencies.
• You might be prequalified if you have been approved in the last 12 months for the following programs:
  • Approved by The Salvation Army for the Emergency Utility Assistance Program.
  • Approved by Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), or the City’s Utility Rate Relief Program.
  • Receiving Salem Housing Authority Section 8 Rental Housing Assistance or living in Salem Housing Authority units.

Who to Contact

• Call our Utility Customer Care Team at 503-588-6099, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to see to check if you are prequalified. If not, you will be directed to a partner agency to apply.
• Email our Utility Customer Care Team at UtilityBilling@cityofsalem.net
• Call our Partnering Agency
  • The Salvation Army, 503-585-6688
    • Monday through Wednesday, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
    • Thursday and Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Utility Rate Relief Program for Elderly and Disabled Customers

If you are age 60 or older or if someone in your household is disabled,  you may be qualify for a monthly discount on their City of Salem utility bill and garbage bill.

Eligibility

• You or a someone in your household must be 60 or older or disabled.
• You must be the person listed on a single-family residential City of Salem utility account with sewer services.
• Your household income must be at or below 60 percent of the State Median Income.

Who to Contact

• Call the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency to apply at 503-588-9016, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.