LADWP Low-Income Discount and Lifeline Rates

Quick Facts

• Comprehensive relief: LADWP’s Low-Income Discount Program (LIDP) and Lifeline Rate provide layered savings on electric, water, sewer, and solid waste charges for income-qualified Angelenos, often cutting monthly utility bills by 30% or more.
• City-funded supports: Discounts are subsidized through citywide utility revenues and ratepayer assistance funds, ensuring benefits remain available year-round regardless of federal appropriations.
• Flexible eligibility: Households can qualify through income limits or participation in public benefits. Additional allowances exist for seniors, persons with disabilities, and customers using life-support equipment.
• Holistic services: Enrollees gain access to free refrigerators, efficient air conditioners, water-saving devices, bill forgiveness plans, and emergency relief like the City’s Utility Debt Relief program.
• Coordination with other agencies: Enrollment data can be shared (with consent) with Los Angeles Sanitation, the Bureau of Street Lighting, and the City’s Solid Resources program to ensure matching discounts on waste hauling and street lighting assessments.

Program Components

LADWP combines several assistance mechanisms under the Lifeline umbrella:

1. Low-Income Discount Program (LIDP): Applies a monthly electric and water discount to standard residential accounts.
2. EZ-SAVE for Lifeline customers: Offers deeper bill credits for seniors (62+) and disabled customers, including the elimination of the Electric Commodity Adjustment and lower-tier pricing.
3. Medical Baseline Allowance: Provides extra kilowatt-hours at the lowest rate for customers who operate life-support equipment or have serious medical conditions requiring additional heating/cooling.
4. Customer Bill of Rights protections: Enrollees receive extended payment plans, late fee waivers, and protection from shutoffs during extreme heat or cold events.
5. Home energy and water efficiency upgrades: Through the Home Energy Improvement Program (HEIP) and City’s water conservation initiatives, Lifeline households can receive weatherization, duct sealing, toilet replacements, and efficient showerheads at no cost.

Eligibility Pathways

You can qualify either by income or program participation. For 2025, the income thresholds are approximately $41,080 for one person, $54,120 for two, $67,160 for three, $80,200 for four, with $13,040 added per additional member. These limits align with 250% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines in high-cost Los Angeles County.

Program-based eligibility includes: Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKs, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), General Relief, LIHEAP, Tribal TANF, or veteran pension benefits. Provide a copy of benefit letters or electronic verification when applying.

Additional allowances:

• Senior Lifeline: Customers age 62+ receive deeper discounts and may qualify for exemption from the City Utility Users Tax (UUT) on electric service.
• Disability adjustments: Individuals receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or permanent disability benefits can access the same enhanced rates as seniors.
• Life-support equipment users: Submit a physician’s certification to receive extra baseline allocation and bypass certain service fees.

Application Process

1. Complete the online or paper application: Visit LADWP’s discount portal or call 1-800-DIAL-DWP to request a mailed application. Provide account details, household size, income, and program participation.
2. Submit documentation: Upload or mail copies of photo ID, a recent LADWP bill, proof of residency (lease or property tax bill), and income verification (pay stubs, benefit award letters, tax return). For program-based eligibility, include the benefits letter showing current participation.
3. Optional medical baseline form: If someone relies on life-support equipment, complete the medical baseline form signed by a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.
4. Wait for processing: Approvals typically take 2–3 billing cycles. Discounts retroactively apply to the date LADWP received the complete application.
5. Enroll in complementary programs: Once approved, ask customer service to evaluate your household for HEIP weatherization, refrigerator exchange, tree planting, or the City’s Utility Bill Assistance Program, which offers one-time credits during hardship.

Benefit Details

• Electric discount: LIDP removes the first tier energy charges for a baseline allocation and reduces higher-tier rates by approximately 12-17%. Seniors and disabled customers under the EZ-SAVE Lifeline can receive up to $39 in monthly electric credits.
• Water and sewer reductions: Qualifying customers receive 25% off water service charges and 30% off wastewater fees. The discount is higher during drought surcharge periods to prevent bill spikes.
• Solid waste and street lighting: LADWP coordinates with LA Sanitation to deliver reduced solid waste fees. Seniors can request full exemption from the street lighting maintenance assessment by submitting an affidavit.
• Deposit waivers and reconnection assistance: Lifeline customers are exempt from paying new service deposits and can receive reconnection fee waivers if disconnected.
• Debt management: Through the Level Pay Plan and Arrearage Management Plan, LADWP spreads past-due balances over 24 months. Customers who make on-time payments earn forgiveness credits that can eliminate delinquent balances within a year.

Maximizing Impact

• Pair with CARE: Many LADWP customers also receive natural gas from SoCalGas. Combine LADWP Lifeline with the SoCalGas CARE discount to lower both electric and gas bills.
• Use LADWP’s MyWater smart tools: Monitor water usage by hour to detect leaks. Lifeline households get free leak repair kits and may qualify for plumbing repairs through nonprofit partners.
• Seasonal planning: Enroll in Level Pay to average bills throughout the year. This is especially useful for households relying on electric cooling in summer or electric heaters in winter.
• Participate in Peak Time Rewards: Earn bill credits for reducing usage during critical peak pricing events. Combine with the discount to double savings.
• Request case management: The City partners with agencies like the Department of Aging, HACLA, and local Community Action Agencies. Ask for a referral if you need rental assistance, food aid, or tax prep.

Example Scenarios

• Senior homeowner in Boyle Heights: Receives $1,250 monthly Social Security. With Lifeline enrollment, electric bills drop from $110 to $68 on average, and water/sewer charges fall by $20 per month. Enrollment in the Senior Citizen Lifeline Utility Users Tax exemption saves another $8 monthly. Annual savings exceed $840, which the customer uses to cover prescription co-pays.
• Family renting in Koreatown: Four-person household on CalFresh. LIDP reduces electric costs by $30 per month and water/sewer by $18. HEIP installs LED lighting, insulation, and a smart thermostat, lowering usage by 15%. Combined with the Utility Debt Relief grant obtained during a pandemic hardship, the family clears $600 in arrears.
• Resident using oxygen concentrator: Submits medical baseline certification. Receives additional 500 kWh at the lowest rate, plus priority for outage notifications and backup generator planning. LADWP coordinates with the Emergency Management Department to ensure life-support continuity during Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events.

Recertification and Compliance

LADWP typically requires recertification every two years. Watch for letters or emails requesting updated income documentation. Seniors and disabled participants may have extended recertification cycles but should report any major changes sooner. If you fail to recertify, your account reverts to standard rates, and you may owe back charges from the date you became ineligible.

Update LADWP within 30 days if:

• Household income rises above the threshold.
• You move or change tenancy status.
• The account holder passes away (transfer to another eligible household member immediately).

Troubleshooting Tips

• Application delays: If more than 60 days pass without a response, call LADWP’s Low-Income desk and request status. Provide submission confirmation numbers or certified mail receipts.
• Partial discounts: Verify that both electric and water discounts appear. If you are master-metered (utilities included in rent), ask your landlord for a Utility Allowance letter or request a tenant-based application where LADWP sends the discount to the landlord to pass through.
• Language access: LADWP supports English, Spanish, Korean, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Armenian, and Tagalog. Request translation assistance when submitting documents or calling customer service.
• Appeals: If denied, you can file an appeal through LADWP’s Customer Service Escalation team or request help from the City’s Office of Public Accountability/Ratepayer Advocate.

Helpful Contacts

• LADWP Low-Income Discount Program: 1-800-DIAL-DWP (1-800-342-5397)
• Medical Baseline Unit: 213-367-2589
• Home Energy Improvement Program: 1-800-545-6455
• City of Los Angeles Utility Debt Relief Program: 213-978-1028
• Website: https://www.ladwp.com/wps/portal/home/residential/pay/my-bill/low-income-discount-program

Staying enrolled in LADWP’s Lifeline offerings requires proactive documentation and occasional recertification, but the payoff is substantial. Combine the discounts with energy efficiency, payment plans, and other city services to transform utility bills from a source of stress into a manageable, predictable expense.