Chicago Utility Billing Relief (UBR) Program

Status Update (February 2026)

Chicago’s current UBR pages state program benefits include:

• no penalties/debt collection activity on prior city utility debt while in program,
• 50% rate reduction for water/sewer/water-sewer tax,
• debt forgiveness of prior unpaid balance after successful first 12 months.

Current FAQ language also indicates garbage fees are not included in the 50% reduction.

How UBR Works

UBR separates bills into two tracks:

1. Current charges at reduced rate during enrollment.
2. Prior unpaid balance set aside and potentially forgiven after successful completion.

If enrollment is not successfully completed, prior debt is generally not forgiven.

Core Eligibility Basics

Per current city FAQ:

• qualifying property type (1-3 unit residential),
• applicant ownership and residency requirement,
• household income qualification using LIHEAP-based thresholds,
• documentation requirements.

Always verify current posted rules at application time.

How to Apply

1. Start at UBR portal and run eligibility check.
2. Upload identity and income documentation.
3. Submit complete enrollment application.
4. Pay all current charges at reduced rate for 12-month period.
5. Reapply at end of enrollment cycle if continued participation is needed.

Common Mistakes

• Assuming garbage charges are included in reduced-rate formula.
• Missing payments during 12-month completion period.
• Incomplete income documentation.
• Waiting too long to reapply after enrollment cycle ends.
• Not monitoring monthly account statements for posting accuracy.

Practical Tips

• Set autopay/reminders for reduced monthly charges.
• Keep all portal confirmations and account snapshots.
• If payment is missed, contact city billing support quickly.
• Recheck eligibility rules annually before re-enrollment.

Enrollment Completion Risk

Debt forgiveness depends on successfully completing the 12-month enrollment period. Missing required payments or failing to meet participation terms can prevent final balance forgiveness. Track monthly statements and resolve issues immediately instead of waiting until the cycle end.

Documentation Checklist

• proof of ownership and occupancy,
• household income records,
• current utility account details,
• UBR portal confirmations and periodic account snapshots.

Keeping these records makes annual reapplication and dispute resolution much faster.

Reapplication Timing

Because UBR enrollment is time-limited, set reminders before your 12-month completion date so you can reapply without gap if you still need relief. Late reapplication can interrupt reduced-rate billing.

Payment-Consistency Tip

Track monthly bills to ensure reduced-rate charges and enrollment status are applied correctly. Early correction of billing anomalies protects your path to end-of-cycle debt forgiveness.

If You Lose Eligibility Mid-Cycle

Changes in occupancy, ownership status, or income documentation can affect program continuation. If your circumstances change, contact UBR support immediately and document the guidance you receive. Waiting until the cycle end can create avoidable surprises about whether balance forgiveness conditions were met.

For accounts with posting errors, keep monthly screenshots and request written confirmation of corrections. Clear documentation is valuable if you need to dispute a cycle-completion determination.

End-of-Cycle Verification Step

At the end of your 12-month period, verify that prior-balance forgiveness posted as expected before assuming the account is fully resolved. If figures look wrong, open a support ticket immediately and provide your enrollment dates plus monthly billing records.

A single reconciliation check at cycle close prevents recurring debt from carrying into a new period unnoticed.

Official Sources

• UBR program page: https://utilitybill.chicago.gov/main/guest/billing_relief/
• UBR FAQ page: https://utilitybill.chicago.gov/main/guest/billing_relief/faqs/
• Chicago utility billing portal: https://utilitybill.chicago.gov/