Utility Assistance

We’re Here to Support You

The VIPPS team supports individuals and families impacted by gun violence. For patients participating in the VIPPS program, part of our role is to help reduce stress where we can—so you can focus on healing. If you are having difficulty paying your utility bills, we may be able to help.

Important: Utility assistance through VIPPS is available only to Harborview patients who are currently enrolled in the VIPPS program. Additional types of assistance, including resources available in other counties, will be added to this website over time.

If you need help right now, 211 Washington is a recommended starting point. Their search tool connects people to utility assistance and other local resources:
https://search.wa211.org/

Please read on for instructions and troubleshooting support.

Need Help with Bills?

We may be able to help with many types of bills, including:

  • Power / electricity
  • Internet or cable
  • Sewer
  • Garbage
  • Phone bills
  • Other household utilities

To request help, you only need a current bill statement. This can be:

  • A paper bill you received in the mail, or
  • A digital bill (PDF, screenshot, or photo)

What Must Be Visible on the Bill

For us to try to make a payment, the bill must clearly show:

  • The due date
  • The amount due
  • The service address
  • The name on the bill
  • The account number

If any of this information is missing, we may unfortunately be unable to submit payment.

Bills Not in the Participant’s Name

If the bill is in the name of a parent, partner, or another household member, that is okay as long as the VIPPS participant lives at the service address.

Important to Know

While we cannot guarantee payment in every situation, we strongly encourage you to ask.

Sometimes we are unable to pay due to technical reasons (for example, a company may not accept our payment method). Even so, we will always do our best to try.

If you’re unsure, please reach out — closed mouths don’t get fed, and we are here to advocate with you.

Need Help Finding Your Bill?

Below are instructions for some common service providers. Please note these instructions are for accessing the digital versions. If you have paper copies, those are also acceptable! The copies, photos or, original bill can work.

XFINITY (Internet / Cable)

Important Note About XFINITY

XFINITY can be difficult for us to pay because bills often cannot be paid over the phone or without logging into the account. Because of this, XFINITY bills may not always be payable.

How to Find Your XFINITY Bill

Option 1: XFINITY App (Beginner Video)
YouTube video: “Xfinity Account: Getting Started with Your Xfinity App” located at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5GDQRy5R_o.

Option 2: XFINITY Website
Visit XFINITY support to view your bill online. XFINITY’s page on accessing the online bill is https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/viewing-your-bill-online-ecobill.

If you use paperless billing, check the email address connected to your XFINITY account — a bill copy may be there.

Puget Sound Energy (PSE)

  1. Go to the PSE website (https://www.PSE.com/) and log in
  2. Select View Bill or Pay Bill

We can accept:

  • The full PDF bill
  • Clear screenshots or photos, as long as all required information is visible

Note: If you are enrolled in AutoPay, the email reminder may not show enough information for us to process payment.

Need Help Taking Screenshots or Sending Them?

If you need help taking screenshots or emailing/texting them, instructions are below for common phones. If your exact phone is not listed, instructions for the same brand usually work.

How to Take a Screenshot (Android Phones)

Samsung / Motorola / Tracfone

  1. Press Power (Lock) and Volume Down at the same time
  2. Release quickly — you do not need to hold the buttons
  3. You may hear a shutter sound
  4. The image will save to your Gallery app

Google Pixel Phones

Pixel phones are also Android phones so, the instructions for Android should work too. However, there may be small visual differences that can be confusing.

  1. Press Power and Volume Down at the same time
  2. The screenshot will save automatically

Helpful Android Guides

  1. Video: How to screenshot on Android Phone” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7V8oR1rE3LU.
  2. Video: “How to Take Screenshot on Google Pixel 9” on http://youtube.com/watch?v=HNBdSuI6heg.

How to Take a Screenshot (iPhone)

For photo representation of how to take these screenshots, please go here at https://support.apple.com/en-us/102616. And for those using iPads, you can locate the photo instructions at https://support.apple.com/en-us/102500.

iPhones with Face ID (iPhone 14 and newer models)

For a video on how to take screenshots on iPhone 14 and other versions with Face ID, there is a video titled iPhone 14’s: How to Take Screenshot (3 ways) at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGpBFaEbOdM.

  1. Press the Side button and Volume Up at the same time
  2. Release quickly
  3. You may hear a shutter sound

A small preview may appear — you can choose to save, edit, or share it.

iPhones with Touch ID (Older Models)

  1. Press the Side button and the Home (Touch ID) button at the same time
  2. Release quickly

Afterward, you can save, edit, or share the screenshot by text or email.

Helpful iPhone Guides

Have the bill?

If any of this feels confusing or frustrating, please reach out. You do not need to figure this out alone.

We are here to support you every step of the way.