Payment Plans & Assistance Programs are Available
The City of Bend will resume collection efforts and water service shut-offs, for delinquent City of Bend utility accounts beginning on July 1, 2022. As the City is no longer in a pandemic-related state of emergency and because the City must have adequate funds to operate and maintain its infrastructure, utility bill payments will no longer be allowed to be late or unpaid and the City will go back to shutting off water service due to unpaid bills. However, to help Bend community members in need, the City has payments plans and utility assistance programs to help certain qualifying customers.
The City suspended water service shut-offs and collection efforts for past due utility accounts on March 16, 2020, when City Manager Eric King issued an administrative order declaring a State of Emergency due to the pandemic. The emergency order included the suspension of water service shut-offs and collection actions for delinquent utility accounts. Late fees, shut-off fees and reinstatement fees were also waived during the emergency order.
“We are pleased we could keep the water flowing to families and businesses experiencing financial struggles over these past two years, said Dana Wilson, City of Bend Utility business manager. “We know some customers continue to struggle financially, so financial assistance programs and payment plans are available to help our customers get back on track.”
Beginning in April, customers will receive notices regarding the resumption of water service shut-offs and available assistance programs. Customers with past due balances will be encouraged to contact the Utility Billing office to pay off their past due balance or enroll in payment plans by the June 30, 2022, deadline in order to avoid water service shut off or collections.
Utility assistance is also available for low-income qualifying customers through a partnership with NeighborImpact. Contact NeighborImpact at 541-548-2380 or email bend@neighborimpact.org to determine eligibility and to apply.
City of Bend customers can call the Utility Billing Department at 541-388-5515 or utilityassistance@bendoregon.gov to review their account or to learn more about payment arrangements and assistance programs.
Accommodation Information for People with Disabilities
To obtain this information in an alternate format such as Braille, large print, electronic formats, etc. please contact Joshua Romero at jromero@bendoregon.gov or 541-693-2185.
