Give the Gift of Comfort: Help Someone in Need Pay Their City of Austin Utility Bill

November 27, 2023

This Giving Tuesday, Nov. 28, City of Austin Utilities invites individuals, businesses and organizations to bring some holiday cheer to a loved one, friend or neighbor by making a payment toward their utility bill. The effort is part of the Gift of Comfort, a program that allows anyone, whether they are a City of Austin Utilities customer or not, to give a practical and thoughtful gift during these challenging times.

The Gift of Comfort program is a great way to help someone in need – whether it is a struggling college student, an elderly family member on a fixed income, or a friend or neighbor facing financial hardship due to illness or unemployment.

How Does It Work?

You can pay for any amount of a customer’s bill. All you need is the name and address of the recipient. You don’t need to know their account number, though it can be helpful if you have it.
Then, visit the Gift of Comfort webpage and download the Gift of Comfort payment form. Fill out all of the form’s required fields and deliver it and the payment to one of the City's Utility Payment Centers, or mail it to:

City of Austin – Payment Processing
P.O. Box 2267
Austin, TX 78783-2267

The customer will receive a letter from City of Austin Utilities, letting them know they have received a gift payment toward their account. You can give anonymously or print a Gift of Comfort gift card to give to the recipient personally.

Other Ways to Help

If you are interested in helping neighbors in need, but don’t know who needs help, consider donating to the City of Austin Utilities’ Customer Assistance Program. The program helps customers who are unable to pay their utility bills due to unexpected emergencies.

City of Austin Utilities customers can make a one-time or recurring donation by adding it to their paper or online utility bill or by mail. For more information about how to help neighbors in need with their utility bills, visit our Plus 1 website.