Published Aug. 23, 2026.
By Hola Illinois
Utility Billing Relief cuts water, sewer and water-sewer tax rates in half for income-eligible owner-occupants. Past-due City utility debt can also be forgiven after 12 months of successful payments.
CHICAGO, IL — Eligible Chicago homeowners can receive a 50% reduction on water, sewer and water-sewer tax charges through the city’s Utility Billing Relief program.
The program covers owner-occupied single-family homes, two-flats and three-flats. Eligibility also depends on the combined gross income of everyone living in the home.
Meanwhile, any unpaid balance that existed before enrollment is set aside during the first 12 months. The city forgives that previous balance when the customer pays all new charges at the reduced rate and reaches the program anniversary without a past-due balance.
The UBR application remains available online. Applying is free, and the city may take up to 30 days to process a complete application.
Chicago Utility Billing Relief
- Discount: 50% on water, sewer and water-sewer tax rates.
- Eligible properties: Owner-occupied single-family homes, two-flats and three-flats.
- Income example: Up to $3,990 in 30-day gross income for one person or $8,250 for four people.
- Previous debt: Forgiven after a successful 12-month enrollment period.
- Application processing: Up to 30 days after the city receives a complete application.
- Utility billing help: 312-744-4426.
The 50% discount does not cover garbage fees
UBR reduces three parts of a participating homeowner’s City of Chicago utility bill: water charges, sewer charges and the water-sewer tax.
The reduction applies to new charges while the customer remains enrolled. However, garbage fees do not receive the 50% discount.
Customers with nonmetered accounts continue receiving monthly bills. The city changes metered accounts to monthly billing if they do not already receive a bill each month.
Related coverage: Eligible customers elsewhere in Illinois may also qualify for monthly discounts of 5% to 84% on electric and natural gas bills.
The homeowner must live in the Chicago property
The applicant must own and live at the service address. The owner’s name must also appear on the City utility bill.
Eligible properties include:
- Single-family homes.
- Buildings with two residential units.
- Buildings with three residential units.
Renters and owners who do not live at the property do not meet the program’s property requirements.
The applicant must provide a Social Security number, Individual Taxpayer Identification Number or another accepted form of identification. The city also requires income documentation for everyone living in the household.
Income eligibility uses the previous 30 days
The city calculates eligibility using the household’s gross income during the 30 calendar days that include the application date.
The current limits equal 300% of the federal poverty level:
| Household size | Maximum 30-day gross income |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $3,990 |
| 2 people | $5,410 |
| 3 people | $6,830 |
| 4 people | $8,250 |
| 5 people | $9,670 |
| 6 people | $11,090 |
| 7 people | $12,510 |
| 8 people | $13,930 |
| 9 people | $15,350 |
| 10 people | $16,770 |
Income includes wages, self-employment earnings, cash income, unemployment benefits, pensions and several public benefits. Adults generally need documents showing all gross income received during the 30-day period.
Previous City utility debt is set aside for 12 months
The city does not require payments on the previous unpaid balance during the first year of UBR enrollment. Instead, that balance remains separate from the new discounted charges.
The homeowner must pay every new charge at the reduced rate during the 12-month period. If the account has no past-due balance on its anniversary date, the city permanently forgives the debt that it set aside at enrollment.
Chicago’s April 2026 annual report placed the average amount of debt forgiven per participating household at $802 through the end of December 2025.
A customer who does not complete the first year successfully may receive one additional opportunity. However, the previous debt remains on the account and the 50% discount ends if the customer does not successfully complete the program.
The application requires the City utility account number
The online application starts with the City of Chicago utility billing account number printed on the bill. Customer service can provide the number at 312-744-4426 when it is unavailable.
Applicants also need:
- A current email address.
- Identification for household members.
- Proof of gross income received during the previous 30 days.
- Current benefit or award letters when applicable.
- A completed income worksheet for self-employment.
The online form must be completed in one session. It cannot be saved and resumed later, and the session expires after 30 minutes without activity.
Homeowners without internet access or those who want application assistance can contact CEDA at 800-571-2332.
Enrollment lasts 12 months and requires renewal
An approved UBR enrollment remains active for 12 months. Customers must verify their property, account and income eligibility again to continue receiving the reduced rates for another year.
MeterSave customers can enter UBR, but enrollment permanently removes them from MeterSave. Seniors who receive the Senior Citizen Sewer Exemption lose that exemption while participating in UBR. The city restores the senior exemption after the customer leaves the program.
The Chicago Utility Billing Relief application and eligibility check remain available online. Application and billing questions can also be directed to 312-744-4426.
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