Philadelphia Water Department Utility Fairs help Philadelphians with unpaid bills to avoid shutoffs

Residents can get assistance before shutoffs resume next month

Philadelphia residents struggling with unpaid utility bills can get help before shutoffs resume in May. The Philadelphia Water Department is hosting Utility Fairs from mid-April to late May to provide one-on-one assistance with electric, gas, and water bills all in one event.

The Philadelphia Water Department Utility Fairs are designed to provide personalized assistance to residents in need, helping them navigate the available assistance programs and find a customer assistance plan that suits their specific needs. Utility Fairs are offered in both virtual and in-person in 20-minute appointments.

Virtual Utility Fairs are scheduled every Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. on April 19, April 26, May 3, May 10, May 17, May 24, and May 31. Upon signing up for an appointment, participants will receive a Zoom link and passcode to join the virtual event.

An in-person event will be held on Saturday, April 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Mercy Neighborhood Ministries located at 1939 W. Venango St, Philadelphia, PA 19140.

What to Bring

Residents should bring the following documents:

Photo ID
Current proof of residence
Current proof of income for everyone in your household over 18 (last 30 days)
Most recent utility bills

Broke in Philly is a collaborative reporting project on solutions to poverty and the city’s push toward economic justice. Green Philly is one of more than 20 news organizations in the collective. Follow us on Twitter @BrokeInPhilly.

Julie Hancher

Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake.