Get Help Paying Your Bill with Tucson Water CARES

Tucson Water prides itself in providing affordable water for all customers. Our Tucson Water CARES (Community Assistance and Resources for Economic Stability) program offers monthly discounts to customers who qualify based on income. Tucson Water also provide help for households facing financial hardship, as well as bill adjustments when unexpected high water use occurs.

How to Apply

It’s easy to apply for our assistance programs. You can:

  • Apply online
  • Call us at 520-791-5443, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Before you start, review the information below to see which program you qualify for and what documents you’ll need.

Apply online

Utility Bill Assistance Program

The Tucson Water CARES Utility Bill Assistance Program helps lower the cost of your water, sewer, and garbage bills each month for customers who qualify.

If you are approved, you can receive these discounts for up to three years. Tucson Water will send a renewal notice at least 30 days before your enrollment ends.

Income Guidelines

To qualify, your household income must fall within the federal poverty guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Eligibility is based on your household size and total income.

Be sure to include income from everyone in your household. This includes:

  • Salary or wages
  • Child support or alimony
  • Interest or rental income
  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or State Supplemental Payment
  • Social Security, Veterans, or Disability benefits
  • Unemployment or retirement benefits
  • Any other cash public assistance

Income Guidelines(PDF, 414KB)

Automatic Qualification

If you already take part in certain public assistance programs, you can automatically qualify for a 40% discount on your bill.

Eligible programs are: 

  • Section 8 housing
  • SNAP (food stamps)
  • Medicaid/ACA-expanded Medicaid
  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
  • WIC
  • Head Start and Early Head Start

To check your eligibility, call us at (520) 791-5443.

Required Documentation

You will need to the following documents to complete you application:

  • Current utility bill showing your account number and qualifying service address.
  • Valid photo ID such as a driver’s license, state ID card, military ID, tribal ID card, consular report, or passport.
  • Proof of income for the past 30 days, such as:
    • Paycheck stubs or an employer letter with pay rate and hours
    • Social Security, SSI, or disability award letter
    • Pension verification or unemployment check stubs
    • DES award letter (food stamps or cash assistance)
    • Any other income documents from the past 30 days

Emergency Hardship Relief Assistance

This assistance is offered in the event of an emergency hardship in the household such as job loss, serious illness or injury, or the loss of an income-earner. Tucson Water provides up to a $150 bill credit based on the documentation you provide.

This is available for residential single-family and duplex-triplex customers. You will need acceptable documentation such as a termination letter, proof of hospital admission, death certificate, etc.

Bill Adjustments

Tucson Water offers bill adjustments for customers facing an emergency hardship or unusually high water use. The type of adjustment depends on your customer class. Applicable water charges and taxes still apply after the adjustment.

You may qualify if:

  • Your water use has returned to normal levels.
  • The use in question was more than 20 CCFs.
  • An adjustment has not been given on the account within the past 3 years.
  • The water use in question must have occurred within the past 7 months.
  • No adjustments are made available for reclaimed water or construction water accounts.

Customer Relief Adjustment

This program helps residential single-family and duplex/triplex customers who get a high water bill because of leaks or accidents.

Here’s how it works:

  • We compare your high bill to your water use from the same month last year.
  • The extra water use is spread across Tiers 2–4 (higher use levels).
  • Any remaining water is charged at the lower Tier 1 rate, which helps reduce your bill.

Courtesy Adjustment

The courtesy adjustment is for multifamily, mobile home parks with sub-meters, commercial, and industrial customers.

Here’s how it works:

  • We compare your high use month to the same month from the year before.
  • Half of the extra water use is forgiven, helping lower your bill.

Water Conservation

The easiest way to lower your water bill is to use less water. High bills are often caused by leaks or appliances that waste water. Tucson Water offers tips, rebates, and free water audits to help you save.

 

Other Utility Assistance Programs

Tucson Electric Power Lifeline Program

Southwest Gas Assistance

More Local Programs

Arizona Department of Housing – Provides a list of rental assistance and eviction protection programs in Pima County.

Chicanos Por La Causa – Family Assistance Program provides help with utility bills as well as food box referrals, funeral assistance, and help signing up for SNAP, AHCCCS and other services. (602) 805-1666

Community Home Repair Projects of Arizona (CHRPA) – Helps homeowners with repairs. (520) 745-2055

Interfaith Community Services – Offers emergency utility Assistance, rent/mortgage assistance, food banks, and employment resources. (520) 297-6049

Pascua Yaqui – Tribal members can call (520) 879-5640 to learn about available services.

Portable, Practical Educational Preparation, INC. (PPEP) – Emergency services including rental and utility assistance. (520) 770-2506, available Monday-Friday, from 1-4 pm.

Pima County Community Action Agency – Provides utility assistance and utility repairs or replacements, as well as eviction prevention and other financial resources. (520) 724-2667

Pima County Home Repair – Helps with repairs for home that live outside of City of Tucson limits. (520) 724-2461

Primavera – Provides rent and utility assistance. Call (520) 623-5111 to ask about current funding availability.

Salvation Army – Offers utility and rental assistance. (520) 792-1111

Society of St. Vincent de Paul – Offers eviction prevention and utility assistance. (520) 628-7837

Tohono O’Odham Nation – Provides utility assistance to eligible tribal members. (520) 383-6250 

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