FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Eileen Park, (503) 823-6541
Eileen.park@portlandoregon.gov
Jaymee Cuti, Public Information Officer
Portland Water Bureau
503-823-8064
Utility Resources Available for Furloughed Workers
The City of Portland stands with Portlanders experiencing hardships as a result of the unprecedented federal shutdown.
As furloughed workers await backpay from the federal government and face uncertainty about a deal being reached, the bureaus wanted to take this opportunity to let federal employees living in Portland know of existing services that could help.
Portland Water and the Bureau of Environmental Services offer flexible payment arrangements and other options for those having a hard time paying their sewer, stormwater, and water bill. The utility bureaus are here to assist all our customers in need. Financial assistance in the form of payment arrangements, crisis vouchers, and the Utility Safety Net program are available to those federal employees and other customers experiencing hardships.
“Those harmed by the shutdown are our neighbors. Many have not yet received backpay, so we hope these services will help,” said Mayor Ted Wheeler.
“We understand that some people are facing difficult decisions resulting from this unprecedented government shutdown that this can strain household budgets for weeks and months ahead,” said Water Commissioner Amanda Fritz. “The Portland utility bureaus have multiple ways to help customers endure times of hardship.”
Please contact Portland Water Customer Service at 503-823-7770 for more information or visit https://www.portlandoregon.gov/water/article/565244.
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