Wiktor Wise
Seattle residents can start or stop electricity services online, by phone, or in person at the Seattle Municipal Tower. To start electricity services, Seattle City Light requires identity verification and that customers answer credit-related security questions. Renters and homeowners should first check with their property managers or escrow companies, respectively, as they may handle the connection or disconnection of services. Seattle Public Utility accounts must be kept in the landlord's name. Seattle tenants are protected under the Third-Party Billing Ordinance, which requires landlords to disclose how they calculate tenants' bills.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Setting up electricity | Online, by phone, or by visiting a walk-in service center |
| Required information | Name of buyer (if property has been sold) |
| Identity verification | Required for new residential customers |
| Payment options | In-person, phone, mail, electronic/automatic withdrawal, online |
| Payment plans | Short-term and budget billing options available |
| Utility provider | Seattle City Light |
| Utility Discount Program (UDP) | 60% discount on Seattle City Light bills for eligible households |
| Seattle Public Utilities | 50% discount on bills for eligible households |
| Third-party billing | Landlords can divide utility bills and charge tenants based on total building charges |
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What You'll Learn
Identity verification for new customers
Federal regulations require identity verification for new residential customers setting up electricity service in Seattle. If you are starting a new service online or over the phone, you will be asked to answer some credit-related security questions that will not impact your credit score. Renters stopping service online will also be required to verify their identity.
If you are a renter, it is likely that your property manager handles connecting and disconnecting services on your behalf. Check with your property manager before you begin. If you are a homeowner, and are buying or selling a home or building, it is likely that the electricity service connection or disconnection will be handled by your escrow company. Check with your escrow company before you begin.
To start or stop electricity service, you can log in to your profile on the Utility Services Website and make a request. If you don't have a profile, you can set one up. You can also call Customer Service at (206) 684-3000 or (800) 862-1181 (out of the area) Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 6:00 pm. Alternatively, you can visit a walk-in service center. Before you start or stop service, note that if you have sold your property, you will need the name of the buyer to close your account. If you are stopping service, you will be billed for services until the account is properly closed with an effective date, meter reading, and forwarding address.
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Setting up an online profile
To set up electricity in Seattle, you can start by setting up an online profile. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
First, go to the Seattle Services Portal website and find the option to create an account. You will need to provide some basic information, such as your name, contact information, and address. You may also need to create a username and password for your profile. Once you've entered this information, you should receive a confirmation email at the address you provided. Click the link in the email to activate your account. Now, log in to your profile and navigate to the electricity services section. Look for the option to start a new service and follow the prompts to provide the necessary information. This may include details such as your service address, desired start date, and payment information. You may also be asked to verify your identity and answer some credit-related security questions. These questions are standard procedure and will not affect your credit score. After you've provided all the required information, review your request and submit it. You should receive a confirmation once your request has been processed. Keep in mind that there may be a one-time administrative fee for starting a new service, and rates for electricity are established by the Seattle City Council.
Additional Information
Seattle offers various options for paying your electricity bill, including in-person, phone, mail, electronic/automatic withdrawal, and online payments. If you need assistance paying your bill, Seattle has resources available. They offer payment plans and budget billing options to help you manage your payments. Additionally, if you're facing financial difficulties, the City of Seattle can provide support through its Utility Discount Program (UDP), offering eligible households discounts on their utility bills.
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Payment methods
Seattle City Light offers several payment methods for electricity bills. These include:
In-person
You can pay your bill in person at one of the nine walk-in locations across Seattle. You can pay by check or credit card.
Phone
You can pay your bill by phone by calling (877) 398-3531. This is a 24-hour automated service where you can enter your credit or debit card information. If you would like to speak to a customer service agent before paying, you can call (206) 684-3000.
You can mail a check to:
City of Seattle
PO Box 35178
Seattle, WA 98124-5178
Remember to include your account number on your check.
Online
You can pay your bill online by creating an online utility account. This allows you to make recurring or one-time payments with your credit card, debit card, or checking account number. You can also set up autopay for automatic bill payments.
Payment Plans
Seattle City Light offers short-term payment plans for customers who need more time to pay their past-due balance or current electricity bill. To set up a payment plan, customers need to make a 25% down payment and pay the remaining balance within 60 days. Budget Billing is another option, which allows you to spread your energy costs evenly throughout the year.
Bill Assistance Programs
Seattle City Light offers bill assistance programs for income-eligible residential customers, including emergency bill assistance and the Utility Discount Program. Eligible customers can receive up to a 60% discount on their electricity bills.
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Budget billing
Seattle residents struggling to pay their electricity bills can benefit from the City of Seattle's Utility Discount Program (UDP). This program offers a 60% discount on Seattle City Light bills and a 50% discount on Seattle Public Utilities bills for eligible households. To qualify for this program, your pre-tax household income must be at or below 70% of the state's median income. For example, in 2021, a four-person household could earn up to $5,996 per month or an annual income of $71,952 before taxes or other deductions to be eligible.
To enrol in the UDP, you can find the necessary information on the City of Seattle's website, www.seattle.gov/UDP. Here, you will find detailed eligibility requirements and instructions on how to apply. If you have any questions or need assistance with the enrolment process, you can call or email [email protected]. Interpreter services are also available if needed.
Additionally, Seattle City Light offers payment plans and bill assistance programs for its customers. If you are facing difficulties paying your bills, you can contact them at (206) 684-3000 to discuss your options. They also provide resources to help customers reduce their energy consumption and lower their bills, such as conducting a home energy audit or providing information on energy-efficient heating methods.
If you believe there has been an error on your bill, Seattle City Light has a four-step bill dispute process in place. You can start by contacting a Customer Service Representative to review your bill and make any necessary adjustments. If you are unsatisfied with their resolution, you can escalate the issue to a Customer Service Supervisor and, if needed, request further reviews by a Customer Service Manager and, finally, a Hearing Officer.
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Customer care contact
Seattle City Light provides electricity to the city of Seattle and its neighbouring suburbs. It was created by the citizens of Seattle in 1902 to provide affordable, reliable, and environmentally responsible electric power.
If you are a new customer, federal regulations require identity verification for new residential customers setting up service. If your remote ID verification fails, you will need to visit one of Seattle City Light's walk-in centres to provide government-issued photo identification before your account can be created.
There is a fee to begin service, which will be included on your first bill. There is also a $16 fee for new accounts. You can contact Seattle City Light at (206) 684-3000 or via email at [email protected].
If you are a business customer, you can contact a Business Customer Service Representative for more information on (206) 684-3000 or via email at [email protected].
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Frequently asked questions
You can set up electricity in Seattle online, by phone, or in person. You will need to provide identity verification and answer credit-related security questions. You can also set up an online profile and use the account number on your bill to sign up for e-billing, autopay, and other services.
Rates are established by the Seattle City Council and are generally reviewed and approved every two years. You can sign up to receive notices of City Council public hearings, where electric utility rates are considered and approved.
You can pay your electricity bill in person, by phone, mail, electronic/automatic withdrawal, or online. If you are unable to pay your bill on time, you can contact Seattle Light to make payment arrangements. You can also request a budget billing payment plan that lets you spread your utility payments evenly over an entire year.
The City of Seattle can help people who are struggling to pay their electricity bills. Eligible households can enroll in the City of Seattle's Utility Discount Program (UDP), which offers a 60% discount on Seattle City Light bills. To be eligible, your pre-tax household income must be at or below 70% of the state's median income.
