As we all struggled through the COVID-19 crisis, Long Beach Utilities paused utility shutoffs and late fees for nonpayment. Over four years later, with the emergency now behind us, we are resuming standard business operations.
The California Extended Water and Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program (CEWWAPP) is funded by the State Water Resources Control Board using American Rescue Act funds to help pay past due water and/or sewer bills during the COVID-19 pandemic. Long Beach Utilities qualified for this program to assist customers with their unpaid debt.
As of Aug. 15, 2023, utility disconnections have resumed for water, natural gas, sewer and refuse accounts with unpaid debt. If you have an outstanding balance, take action now to avoid utility shutoff.
Pay your bill or contact us. We are here to help figure it out.
DO YOU HAVE UNPAID UTILITY BILLS? HERE’S WHAT TO DO:
Pay your bill in full. If you can, pay off your balance in full before the Aug. 15 deadline.
Need extra help? Qualified customers can get direct payment assistance to pay down their balance. Read more below.
Need more time? Contact us now to set up a payment plan that works for you to pay off your debt. You can sign up online here.
Questions? Call us at (562) 570-5700
Why were utility shutoffs for nonpayment paused?
As we all struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic, Long Beach Utilities temporarily suspended shutoffs and late fees for those unable to pay their utility bills.
The city has suspended utility shutoffs for nonpayment since March 2020. During that time, more than $11 million in utility payment assistance has been credited to natural gas and water customers of Long Beach Utilities.
Shutoffs for nonpayment resumed on Aug. 15, 2023.
Why did shutoffs resume on Aug. 15, 2023?
With the emergency of the pandemic behind us, we are returning to standard business operations. In fairness to all ratepayers, Long Beach Utilities will pursue unpaid balances accumulated in the past four years.
Residential utility shutoffs for customers with unpaid debt resumed on Aug. 15, 2023.
Ample advance notice will be provided to account holders ahead of any shutoffs and customers will have the opportunity to avoid shutoff by either paying any outstanding balance in full or, if unable to pay, by enrolling in a payment plan.
Qualified customers can also apply for direct payment assistance to offset arrearages, including the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program, or LIHWAP, and the Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP.
Find more information below.
How do I find out if I have an outstanding balance on my account?
If you have an outstanding balance, you will see an alert on your monthly utility bill. You can also log into your account at longbeach.gov/utilitybilling to see if you have an outstanding balance and, if so, what you owe.
We will also be sending mailed, emailed and phone notices in the coming months alerting customers who have an unpaid balance on their account.
And you can always give us a call at (562) 570-5700 for additional questions.
How do I pay my bill?
There are several options available to make a payment on your utility account.
- Pay cash at any local 7-Eleven or CVS
- Call (833) 408-8405 to pay by phone
- Log into your account and pay online at longbeach.gov/utilitybilling
- Visit City Hall, 411 W. Ocean Blvd., Monday-Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to pay in person
- Mail a check or money order, payable to City of Long Beach, to: P.O. Box 630 Long Beach, CA 90842-0001
I can’t pay my balance in full, what should I do?
If you can’t pay off your balance in full right now, don’t worry. We will work with you to get on a payment plan that works for you.
You can apply online or call us at (562) 570-5700. Print copies of the application are also available in multiple languages at our offices at 1800 E. Wardlow Road and at local libraries and community centers.
What if I can’t pay my balance, even on a payment plan?
We know nobody wants interruptions to their water or natural gas service, so we’re committed to doing everything we can to help you avoid a utility disconnection.
If you are struggling to pay, our customer service team will work with you to come up with a plan that works for your specific situation.
Approved income-qualified customers, those with medical conditions or disabilities and seniors can take advantage of assistance programs to reduce the amount they owe. Available help includes the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program, or LIHWAP, and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP.
If I am on a payment plan, could my utilities still be shut off?
As long as you continue to make your agreed upon payments, your utility service will not be disconnected.
Make sure to stay in touch with any concerns or questions that come up. Whether you’re struggling to make payments or looking for greater assistance, we’ll do our best to work out a reasonable and affordable plan that works for you.
Are there any assistance programs available for my utility bill?
Income qualified residential customers can take advantage of direct payment assistance for overdue natural gas and water bills through the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program, or LIHWAP, and the Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP.
In addition, several ongoing discounts and assistance programs are available for qualifying customers, seniors and those with medical needs or disabilities.
Find more information by scrolling below or call us at (562) 570-5700.
Which utilities will be shut off if I don’t pay?
Depending on your account, either water and/or natural gas service could be disconnected if there is an unpaid balance on your account.
How will I be notified if my water or gas is going to be shut off?
Residential customers with unpaid utility debt will be contacted multiple times in the months before shutoffs for nonpayment are set to begin in August. If you’re unsure if you have an arrearage on your account, log into your utility billing account online, look at your most recent bill or give us a call at (562) 570-5700.
A final notification prior to shutoff will be mailed to the customer nine days in advance. A final courtesy robocall notice will be sent at least two days ahead of utility shutoff.
Those who do not contact Long Beach Utilities to get on a payment plan before Aug. 15 will receive two mailed letters and a robocall notice at least seven days ahead of utility shutoff.
I have more questions, who can I contact for help?
Our utility customer service team is here to help figure it out together!
If you have a question or concern that wasn’t answered here or on longbeach.gov/utilityservices, feel free to give us a call at (562) 570-5700.
Those struggling to pay off accumulated debt or new high utility bills can sign up for a flexible plan to pay their bill over time — up to 36 months.
Active gas and water services will remain uninterrupted as long as the conditions of the payment arrangement are honored.
Apply
You can fill out an online application here(PDF, 172KB) and email it to billing@lbutilities.org.
Or print the form(PDF, 126KB) (Spanish(PDF, 300KB) )(Khmer(PDF, 204KB)) (Tagalog(PDF, 137KB)) and mail it to:
Long Beach Utilities Billing
2400 E. Spring St.
Long Beach, CA 90806
Long Beach Utilities is here to help families in need. Qualified residential customers can apply for the Low Income Gas Discount Program to receive a 20 percent discount on their monthly natural gas bill. The discount will be applied to your account as soon as the application is processed and approved by Long Beach Utilities.
- Who qualifies?
- Residents:
- Your city utility bill must be in your name and must be for your primary address
- You must not be claimed as a dependent on another person’s tax return, other than your spouse
- Your annual household income does not exceed the values outlined in the chart below
- Nonprofit group living facilities:
- Facility must have a separate gas meter
- Residents of the facility must meet household income requirements for a single person household
- 70 percent of natural gas used at the facility must be for residential purposes
- Facility must provide most recent form 501 (c)(3), current California adult residential facility license or condition use permit for a homeless shelter
You can also qualify if you or someone in your household participates in any of these programs:
- Medicaid or Medi-Cal
- CalFresh/SNAP (food stamps)
- Healthy Families A&B
- CalWORKS
- Women, Infants & Children (WIC)
- National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Tribal TANF
- Head Start Income Eligible (Tribal only)
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Benefits
- 20 percent discount on gas charges
Please be prepared to submit one of the following with your application:
- Proof of household income, such as your most recent W-2, Social Security benefits letter
- Proof of participation in a qualifying program listed above
Apply
You can fill out an online application here.
You can also complete the fillable application(PDF, 1MB) form and email it to billing@lbutilities.org.
Or print the form(PDF, 561KB) (Spanish(PDF, 562KB) ) (Khmer(PDF, 370KB)) (Tagalog(PDF, 585KB)) and mail it to:
Long Beach Utilities Billing
2400 E. Spring St.
Long Beach, CA 90806
*California Alternate Rates for Energy program income requirements
Utilities is here to help seniors and those with disabilities. Qualified customers can get an exemption from paying the city’s 5 percent utility users tax, or UUT.
- Who qualifies?
- Customers age 62 or older who meet income requirements (see chart) or who have otherwise qualified for the UUT Exemption Program
- Customers with a qualifying disability who meet income requirements (see chart) or who have otherwise qualified for the UUT Exemption Program
- Benefits
- 20 percent discount on gas charges
- Monthly credit to water service charge
- First six billing units of water usage at no charge
- Reduced refuse/recycling rate
- Exemption from UUT on gas, water, electric and telephone bills
- Required documents
- Scanned or printed copy of photo ID (seniors)
- Proof of enrollment in the federal Supplemental Security Income program
- Proof of household income, such as your most recent W2, Social Security benefits letter
Apply
To apply, complete the fillable application(PDF, 312KB) and email it to billing@lbutilities.org.
Or you can print and fill out a paper application(PDF, 305KB) (Spanish(PDF, 258KB) )(Khmer(PDF, 370KB)) (Tagalog(PDF, 349KB)) and mail to:
Long Beach Utilities Billing
2400 E. Spring St.
Long Beach, CA 90806
You can also fill out your application in person at any Long Beach senior center. Please call (562) 570-3533 for more information.
*California Alternate Rates for Energy program income requirements
Long Beach Utilities is here to help those suffering from serious medical conditions. The Medical Heating Allowance Program allows additional therms of usage at the lower Tier I rate for individuals with qualifying medical conditions.
Those who require life-saving medical equipment that uses natural gas can also qualify for the therm allowance, plus other benefits.
- Who qualifies?
- Customers with a qualifying condition:
- Paraplegic
- Quadriplegic
- Hemiplegic
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Scleroderma
- Life threatening Illness
- Compromised Immune System
- Emphysema and requires positive pressure breathing apparatus
- Had pneumonia 3 or more times in 12 months as a result of chronic illness
- Paralysis of 2 or more extremities
- Life Support Equipment Required
- Benefits
- Additional allowance of therms of gas usage at the lower Tier 1 rate
- Required documents
- Verification form signed by your physician
Apply
Complete the fillable application(PDF, 1MB) , including the form signed by your physician, and email it to billing@lbutilities.org.
Or you can print and fill out a paper application(PDF, 442KB) (Spanish(PDF, 448KB)) (Khmer(PDF, 295KB)) (Tagalog(PDF, 477KB)) and mail to:
Long Beach Utilities Billing
2400 E. Spring St.
Long Beach, CA 90806
The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program, or LIHWAP, is a temporary program that offers assistance for low-income Californians to help manage their residential water utility costs amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Utility customers are required to submit an application and be approved to receive relief funds. Visit the LIHWAP program webpage or call (888) 351-4061 for more information.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, is a federally funded program that assists qualifying, low-income households in paying their winter gas and electric bills. A bill does not have to be delinquent for qualified persons to apply for assistance. LIHEAP runs from October 1st through Sept. 30 each year. Customers can apply for LIHEAP assistance once each program year.
To apply, visit the LIHEAP program webpage or contact:
Long Beach Community Action Partnership (LBCAP)
117 W Victoria Street, Long Beach, CA 90805
(888) 351-4061