Kansas City Water and Evergy Bill Help 2026–27: KC Water Services Fund, Payment Plans, and ERPP
Updated: Oct 23
In Kansas City, Missouri, KC Water and Evergy run separate help programs, and each has its own rules for who qualifies. Here's how to use both, which papers to bring, and the traps that get people turned away.
AT A GLANCE
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In Kansas City, Missouri, your water bill and your electric bill come from two different places with two different help systems. KC Water bills are handled by the City. Its assistance fund runs through local social service agencies. Evergy electric bills have their own programs, including a monthly bill credit you apply for through The Salvation Army.
This guide covers both, side by side, with the papers you'll need and the eligibility traps that get people turned away.
Last reviewed: October 2026. See our Editorial Standards for how we check these details.
Funding is limited and first-come, first-served.
Part 1: KC Water
Call First
KC Water says if you're behind, call 311 (816-513-1313) and select option 1 right away so it can work with you. It also stresses that assistance funds are first-come, first-served: "DON'T WAIT!"
Option A: A Payment Arrangement
KC Water says a payment arrangement spreads your past-due amount over a set period as a monthly installment.
The rule that trips people up: each month you must pay the installment plus your full current charges by the due date. Missing either can break the arrangement.
How to set it up:
Online: sign up or log in to your KC Water account.
By phone: KC Water's automated line, 816-513-0567, lets you set up a payment arrangement on a past-due account if eligible. Call from the phone number on your account. The first time, have your account number ready.
Option B: The KC Water Services Fund
KC Water partners with the Mid America Assistance Coalition (MAAC) on a fund that helps customers who can't pay. KC Water says it has committed over $3 million to help more than 9,000 customers since the program started in 2009.
Rules, from MAAC's FAQ:
Household income below 180% of the federal poverty guidelines.
You can use the fund up to 2 times a year, up to $500 per rolling calendar year.
The bill must be in your name, or you must be an authorized user on the KC Water account.
You can't use it if your account is already disconnected, charged off, or old/inactive.
You don't need current income to qualify. The agency verifies income using federal poverty guidelines.
How to apply. MAAC says only partner agencies can process the application. United Way, MAAC, MAAC LIHEAP, and KC Water don't process it. You can:
fill out an online pre-application using MAAC's link or QR code, or
apply in person at a partner agency.
Partner agencies MAAC lists include Bishop Sullivan Center, Catholic Charities, Community Assistance Council, Guadalupe Center, Jewish Family Services, Metro Lutheran Ministry (Central, Northland), Northland Assistance Center, Operation Breakthrough, Reconciliation Services, the Salvation Army (Blue Valley, East Side, Northland, Southland, Westport), and LINC, among others.
MAAC's advice: call the agency or make an appointment before you go. If you don't know which agency serves your ZIP code, contact United Way at 211 or 816-474-5112 (211kc.org).
Option C: Leak Stoppers
If a leak is driving up your bill, KC Water points customers to Leak Stoppers, a partnership with Bridging the Gap that gives guidance on reducing water use. Income requirements are listed at bridgingthegap.org.
Paying KC Water Safely
KC Water says it doesn't use outside payment locations. Payments made at outside outlets may bring fees and delays and aren't guaranteed to reach KC Water. Pay online, by phone, by mail, at the KC Water Lobby (4800 E. 63rd St.), or at the City Hall Treasurer's Office. KC Water says card payments online and by phone have a processing fee; bank account (e-check) payments don't.
ERPP is built to keep you from falling behind, so apply while your Evergy account is still in good standing.
Part 2: Evergy Electric
The Economic Relief Pilot Program (ERPP)
Evergy says ERPP gives eligible Missouri customers a credit of up to $65 a month for up to 12 consecutive months.
Who qualifies, per Evergy:
an active Missouri residential Evergy account in good standing;
not currently disconnected and not at risk of disconnection;
household income at or below 200% of the current federal poverty level;
not previously removed from the program for nonpayment, tampering, diversion, or fraud; and
willing to do an interview about the program if Evergy or the Missouri PSC asks.
Income limits (200% of the 2026 federal poverty guidelines, per Evergy):
Household size | Yearly income limit (200% FPL) |
|---|---|
1 | $31,920 |
2 | $43,280 |
3 | $54,640 |
4 | $66,000 |
5 | $77,360 |
6 | $88,720 |
7 | $100,080 |
8 | $111,440 |
Each additional person | add $11,360 |
How to sign up (Evergy partners with The Salvation Army):
Fill out the ERPP application on Evergy's site (Spanish available).
Call The Salvation Army at 816-756-5392, option 1.
Make an in-person appointment at a Salvation Army office. Dial 2-1-1 to find one.
Evergy says to keep paying your bill in full while your application is processed.
Notice the timing problem. ERPP is for accounts in good standing that aren't at risk of disconnection. It's a tool to prevent falling behind. If you're already behind, deal with the past-due balance first (see below), then apply.
If You're Already Behind on Evergy
Call Evergy using the number on your bill and ask for a payment arrangement.
Ask about Missouri's Cold Weather Rule if it's between November 1 and March 31. Evergy's Missouri service is regulated by the Missouri Public Service Commission. Ask for a Cold Weather Rule payment agreement by name.
Call 211 about LIHEAP energy assistance and other local funds.
The Evergy Connect Center is listed by MAAC at 816-414-4500. MAAC notes that Evergy and KC Water sometimes host utility assistance events. Ask whether one is coming up.
Documents Checklist
Have these ready before calling an agency or The Salvation Army:
☐ Photo ID.
☐ Your current KC Water bill and/or Evergy bill, with account numbers.
☐ Proof of income for everyone in the household (pay stubs, benefit letters, unemployment).
☐ A shutoff notice, if you have one.
☐ Proof of address, like a lease.
☐ Proof of household size (birth certificates, school records, or benefit letters listing members).
Common Mistakes
Waiting until disconnection. The KC Water fund can't help disconnected or charged-off accounts.
Applying for ERPP while at risk of shutoff. It's for accounts in good standing.
Asking KC Water or United Way to process the fund application. Only partner agencies can.
Paying at a check-cashing store. KC Water says it doesn't accept payments through outside outlets.
Paying only the installment on a KC Water arrangement. Current charges are due too.
Water bill in a landlord's or relative's name. Ask to be added as an authorized user first.
FAQ
How much can the KC Water Services Fund pay? Up to $500 per rolling calendar year, used up to twice a year.
Who processes KC Water Services Fund applications? Only partner social service agencies. Call United Way (211 or 816-474-5112) to find one near you.
How much is the Evergy ERPP credit? Up to $65 a month for up to 12 consecutive months.
Can Kansas side Evergy customers use ERPP? Evergy's ERPP page lists an active Missouri residential account as a requirement.
Who do I call about ERPP? The Salvation Army at 816-756-5392, option 1.
WHAT TO DO THIS WEEK
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More help in Kansas City
Every guide we have for Kansas City is listed on our Kansas City financial help hub.
Related guides
Official sources
KC Water, Financial Assistance Resources: https://www.kcwater.us/customer-support/financial-assistance-resources/
KC Water, Payment Options: https://www.kcwater.us/customer-support/payment-options/
MAAC, KC Water Services Fund FAQ: https://maaclink.org/kc-water-services-fund-faq/
Evergy, Economic Relief Pilot Program: https://www.evergy.com/manage-account/billing/financial-help/economic-relief-pilot-program
Missouri PSC, Cold Weather Rule: https://psc.mo.gov/CMSInternetData/ConsumerInformation/CWR%20Flier.pdf
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