LADWP Bill Help 2026–27: EZ-SAVE, LIHEAP up to $1,500, Level Pay and No-Interest Payment Plans
If you live in the City of Los Angeles, your water and power bill comes from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), and it can climb fast in a hot summer or after a few missed payments. LADWP and its partner agencies offer several kinds of help: a discount program for lower-income households, a federal grant of up to $1,500, a monthly budget plan that can fold in a past-due balance, and payment arrangements with no down payment, interest or fees.
This guide explains each option, who it's for, and how to apply, using LADWP's current program pages.
Last checked October 2026. Sources: LADWP's Assistance Programs, EZ-SAVE, LIHEAP, Level Pay, Bill Payment Options, LADWP Cares, Senior Citizen/Disability Lifeline Rate and CA State Utility Bill Assistance pages. Program rules change; confirm details with LADWP before you rely on them.
The Short Version
Behind on your bill? Call 1-800-DIAL-DWP (1-800-342-5397) before you're delinquent. Payment arrangements have no down payment, no interest and no fees, with up to 48 months for income-qualified customers.
Lower income? Enroll in EZ-SAVE. You don't need to show proof of income to enroll.
Need a lump sum? LIHEAP can pay up to $1,500 toward your energy bill, including in a shutoff emergency.
Want predictable bills? Level Pay spreads your costs, plus any past-due balance, into set monthly payments.
62+, disabled, or medical needs? Look at the Lifeline rate, the Physician Certified Allowance and the Life-Support Equipment Discount.
EZ-SAVE: LADWP's Income-Based Discount
EZ-SAVE (formerly the Low-Income Discount Program) helps income-qualified customers save on their LADWP bills. LADWP says enrolling also makes you eligible for other city and state savings programs.
Income limits, effective July 1, 2026 (maximum annual gross household income):
1–2 people: $43,280
3 people: $54,640
4 people: $66,000
5 people: $77,360
6 people: $88,720
7 people: $100,080
8 people: $111,440
Each additional person: add $11,360
"Income" means all money and benefits for everyone in the household, including wages and tips (cash too), child and spousal support, Social Security, veterans and disability benefits, unemployment, CalFresh, TANF and retirement income.
How to apply:
Log in to (or register for) your LADWP online account and apply there, or
Download, print and mail the EZ-SAVE application from LADWP's website, or
Call 1-800-DIAL-DWP to have a paper application mailed to you.
You don't need proof of income when you apply, but LADWP says it may check your eligibility after you're enrolled. Fill in every field for faster approval.
If you're 62 or older or have a disability, LADWP points you to the Lifeline program, which it says offers its biggest discounts.
LIHEAP: Up to $1,500 Toward Your Energy Bill
The federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps income-qualified households with heating and cooling costs. According to LADWP:
The benefit can be up to $1,500. Amounts vary, so ask your local provider.
LIHEAP can help in an emergency or energy crisis, such as a utility disconnection.
It can also provide in-home weatherization services.
The applicant must be 18 or older and have a Social Security number.
Anyone in the household can apply. The applicant's name doesn't have to be on the bill.
LADWP says the assistance doesn't affect other benefits or public charge determinations.
LIHEAP monthly income limits listed by LADWP:
1 person: $3,331.66
2 people: $4,356.83
3 people: $5,382.00
4 people: $6,407.16
5 people: $7,432.25
6 people: $8,457.41
7 people: $8,649.66
8 people: $8,841.83
9 people: $9,034.08
10 people: $9,226.25 (add $192.21 for each additional person)
Apply through the local provider for your area:
Maravilla (San Fernando Valley, Northeast LA, East LA): 323-721-4162 or 800-906-4651
PACE (West LA, Central LA, South LA): 213-989-3177
Long Beach Community Action Partnership (Harbor area): 888-351-4061
IMACA (Owens Valley): 760-873-8557
You can also call (866) 674-6327 to find a local provider, or visit csd.ca.gov/energybills. LADWP notes that program years differ by provider, so funding windows may not line up.
Level Pay: Set Monthly Payments, Including Past-Due Balances
LADWP normally bills every two months. Level Pay replaces the ups and downs with a set monthly amount:
LADWP averages your usage over the past 12 months to set the payment.
A past-due balance is added to the monthly amount and paid off over the term.
Terms are 12, 24 or 36 months. The 24- and 36-month terms are only for accounts with arrears.
It's open to residential and multi-residential customers, whether in good standing or behind.
The amount is reviewed and may be adjusted up or down during your enrollment.
Important rules:
Pay the full monthly amount by the due date on each payment notice. If you're removed for nonpayment, you can't re-enroll for 180 days.
You'll still get your regular bi-monthly bill showing actual usage. Usually it shows a $0 balance, but if you fall behind on Level Pay or have a charge Level Pay doesn't cover, that bill will need to be paid.
You can cancel anytime by calling 1-800-DIAL-DWP. Any uncovered charges then appear on your next bill.
Enroll by logging in to your account and choosing "Enroll in Level Pay" under Billing Options.
Payment Arrangements and Extensions
If you can't pay the full balance, LADWP offers payment arrangements with:
No down payment, no interest and no fees
Up to 48 months for discount-program (income-qualified) customers
Up to 24 months for other customers
If you just need a short amount of extra time to pay in full, request a payment extension online, by phone or at a Customer Service Center.
LADWP's advice is to contact it before your bill becomes delinquent. It says that helps you avoid service interruptions, collection fees and reconnection charges. Customer Service is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday–Friday and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
Discounts for Seniors, People With Disabilities and Medical Needs
Senior Citizen/Disability Lifeline Rate: a City of Los Angeles Office of Finance program that gives eligible seniors and people with disabilities an exemption on electric and other utility bill charges. Contact the Office of Finance to apply (TDD: 213-978-1532).
Physician Certified Allowance Discount: a discount on electric bills when a state-licensed physician verifies that a full-time household member has a qualifying medical condition.
Life-Support Equipment Discount: for households that use eligible life-support devices such as motorized wheelchairs, respirators and dialysis machines.
What Happened to the State Bill Credits?
You may have heard about California's CAPP (energy) and CWWAPP (water) arrearage programs. LADWP says those funds were applied automatically as bill credits and covered debt from March 2020 to December 2022. They aren't open for new applications, so if you're behind now, use the options above.
A Note on Privacy
LADWP states that it never shares customer information with immigration enforcement agencies.
Other Help
211 LA: dial 2-1-1 or 1-800-339-6993 for other local bill and rent assistance.
LADWP's Financial Assistance Qualification Form: a short online questionnaire that shows which programs you may qualify for.
Closing Thoughts
For most struggling LADWP customers, the best order is: call LADWP and set up a no-interest payment arrangement, enroll in EZ-SAVE if your income qualifies, and apply for LIHEAP through your area's provider, especially if you've received a shutoff notice. Level Pay can then keep future bills predictable. Keep copies of every confirmation and call back if a promised credit doesn't show up on your bill.
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