Oregon’s Electric Utilities Launch New Past-Due Bill Programs
Posted on November 4, 2026 by Cassie Allen
Tags, General Interest, Energy
It’s no secret; Oregonians are struggling financially. Facing an unaffordable cost of living, households are making impossible choices between keeping the lights on and paying for other necessities like rent, groceries, and gas. No one wants to fall behind on their bills, but as debt mounts, that’s the reality for many. This is energy insecurity.
Thankfully, starting October 2026, Oregon’s largest electric utilities rolled out permanent past-due bill relief programs to help their lowest-income customers pay down debt. PGE, Pacific Power, and Idaho Power’s relief programs will help customers who have fallen behind on their bills, combating energy insecurity in Oregon.
What Is an Arrearage Program?
So what is an arrearage, anyways? An arrearage is unpaid or overdue debt. An arrearage program helps customers pay off debt. For example, when a customer is unable to pay their energy bill, their account is considered past due.
Before 2026, Oregon’s electric utilities only had limited, temporary arrearage programs. But with energy bills at an all-time high, there was a clear need for permanent programs to help households. In 2025, state regulators directed electric utilities to create permanent debt relief programs to help struggling low-income customers.
You might be familiar with other programs that help customers. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded program that helps eligible families and individuals pay their energy bills. To access the program, customers apply through a Community Action Agency, rather than applying directly through their utility.
Unlike LIHEAP, electric customers in need of debt relief must work with their electric utility directly to opt into these programs. These electric programs also won’t face a funding limit, avoiding the issue of money running out quickly, like in federal programs. That means more households will be able to access assistance and pay down past-due bills–a big win for customers!
PGE’s Debt Relief Program
Starting October 1, 2026, qualified PGE customers can receive up to $500 of debt relief per program year. The program year begins in October and ends in September of the following year.
Customers can also apply for debt relief more than once, up to the $500 yearly limit. For example, if a household owes $200 in unpaid energy bills, they can apply for $200 of relief now and still have up to $300 available for the rest of the program year should they need it.
Who Qualifies
Customers with an income between 0% and 15% of the State Median Income (SMI) qualify for the relief program. If you already receive the following bill discount from PGE, you qualify for the program:
Tier 1 - 80% Monthly Discount (incomes 0-5% SMI)
- For example, a 4-person household would qualify if they made up to $6,462 in gross income annually.
Tier 2 - 50% Monthly discount (incomes 6-15% SMI)
- For example, a 4-person household would qualify if they made up to $19,387 in gross income annually.
Benefits
Up to $500 in past-due bill relief per program year, from October to September.
How to Sign Up
Households can apply for debt relief by contacting PGE’s customer service line at 800-542-8818 or 503-228-6322 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Those with past-due balances will not automatically be enrolled in the program; customers must reach out to PGE to apply for the benefits.
For qualifying customers already enrolled in the monthly bill discount program, PGE should have sent an informational letter about this new additional program. These households will also receive a reminder letter in May and September each year.
Customers will also receive confirmation of whether they are approved or denied shortly after applying. Communications will be in English and Spanish.
Pacific Power’s Updated Bill Discount & New Debt Relief Programs
Pacific Power is updating its debt relief program and restructuring its bill discount program. Starting October 31, 2026, qualified Pacific Power customers can receive up to $500 (Tier 1) or $250 (Tier 2) in debt relief and a 24-month repayment plan per program year. Future program years will begin October 1 and end on September 30.
Updated Bill Discount Tiers:
NEW Tier 1 - 80% Monthly Discount: Income limit increases from 0%-5% to 0%-10% of State Median Income. This means some customers who were previously receiving a 40% discount are now receiving an 80% monthly bill discount–another win CUB and energy justice advocates secured for customers!
- For example, a 4-person household would qualify if they made up to $12,925 in gross income annually.
NEW Tier 2 - 40% Monthly Discount: Income limit changes from 6%-20% to 11%-20% of State Median Income
- For example, a 4-person household would qualify if they made up to $25,850 in gross income annually.
Tier 3 - 20% Monthly Discount: Income limit stays the same at 21%-60% of State Median Income
- For example, a 4-person household would qualify if they made up to $77,550 in gross income annually.
Who Qualifies for Debt Relief
Customers with an income between 0% and 20% of the State Median Income (SMI) qualify for the new relief program. Customers with incomes 0-60% of State Median Income qualify for 24-month repayment plans. This is how these new offerings impact each monthly bill discount tier:
Tier 1 - 80% Monthly Discount (Incomes 0%-10% of SMI): Eligible for up to $500 relief each program year and 24-month repayment plans; Can split $500 into 2 payments or use it all at once
- For example, a 4-person household would qualify if they made up to $12,925 in gross income annually.
Tier 2 - 40% Monthly Discount (Incomes 11%-20% of SMI): Eligible for up to $250 relief each program year and 24-month repayment plans; Can split $250 into 2 payments or use it all at once
- For example, a 4-person household would qualify if they made up to $25,850 in gross income annually.
Tier 3 - 20% Monthly Discount (Incomes 21%-60% of SMI): Not eligible for debt relief but qualifies for 24-month repayment plans
- For example, a 4-person household would qualify if they made up to $77,550 in gross income annually.
In addition, the 24-month repayment plan is available for all medical certificate holders. CUB and energy justice advocates pushed hard to secure this win for customers!
Benefits
Either up to $500 (Tier 1) or $250 (Tier 2) of debt relief and a 24-month repayment plan per program year.
How to Sign Up
Households can apply for debt relief by contacting Pacific Power’s customer service at 1-888-221-7070 for English or 1-888-225-2611 for Spanish. Those with past-due balances will not automatically be enrolled in the program; customers must reach out to Pacific Power to apply for the benefits.
The electric utility will include information about the program in disconnection notices and with bill discount information. They will also send out reminders about the program in May and September each year. Communications will be in English and Spanish.
Idaho Power’s Debt Relief Program
Starting October 27, 2026, qualified Idaho Power customers can receive up to $500 of debt relief per program year. The program year begins on October 1 and ends September 30.
Customers can apply for debt relief up to two times per year. For example, if a household owes $250 in unpaid energy bills, they can apply for $250 of relief now and still have $250 for the rest of the program year should they need it.
Who Qualifies
Customers with an income between 0% and 20% of the State Median Income (SMI) qualify for the relief program. If you already receive the following monthly bill discount, you qualify for the program:
Tier 1 - 70% Monthly Discount (Incomes 0-20% SMI)
- For example, a 4-person household would qualify if they made up to $25,850 in gross income annually.
Benefits
Up to $500 in past-due bill relief per program year, to be used up to two times from October 1 to September 30.
How to Sign Up
Households can apply for debt relief by contacting Idaho Power’s customer service line at 208-388-2323 or 1-800-488-6151 (toll-free) from Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (MT), except holidays. Those with past-due balances will not automatically be enrolled in the program; customers must reach out to the utility to apply for the benefits.
If a customer is already enrolled in their bill discount program, Idaho Power will send them information about the debt relief program at least twice a year. These households will also receive a notification about the program with disconnection notices.
Supporting Struggling Households
It’s hard to keep up with everyday expenses. No one wants to fall behind, but with the cost of living on the rise, it can happen to anyone. What matters is not to feel ashamed and to ask for help.
These debt relief programs will help Oregonians struggling with energy insecurity, keeping more people connected to electricity. CUB and energy justice advocates have long pushed to expand customer assistance programs. We’re proud of these wins and applaud state regulators for their leadership!
Stay Up to Date on Oregon Utility Issues
CUB will continue to advocate for people in Oregon on major utility issues. Sign up for the CUB email list for the latest updates, action alerts, and news on policies that affect the utilities your home relies on.
To keep up with CUB, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, and LinkedIn!
11/04/26 | 0 Comments | Oregon’s Electric Utilities Launch New Past-Due Bill Programs