Help is available for Phoenix residents struggling to pay their utility bills. 

The city is using $5 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act to help residents financially hurt by the pandemic. Phoenix will cover two-thirds of a customer’s delinquent water and trash bill. The customer can make payments over an agreed upon time to handle the remaining one-third. 

The program is for single-family residential customers who’ve had city services for at least 12 straight months with no returned check fees and no tampering or water theft issues. 

Customers must enroll in the deferred payment arrangement program by September 30th. Residents can call 602-262-6251 for more information.

Phoenix previously used $3.5 million in coronavirus relief funds, city funds and donations to help more than 8,000 customers at risk of losing water, sewer and trash services.

A June 2021 city report said there were 18,790 delinquent commercial and residential accounts that totaled more than $9.6 million.