Utility Billing & Customer Service administers water and sewer fee exemption programs. You or your organization may be eligible.

Senior Citizen Sewer Service Charge Exemption & Rebate

Note: 2021 renewals for the Senior Citizen Sewer Rebate should be mailed in January. New applicants, who did not receive a rebate in 2020, can use the application form below.

The Senior Citizen Sewer Exemption entitles seniors aged 65 or over, residing in their own residence with separate metered water service or a separate city water assessment for that residential unit, to an exemption from payment of the sewer service charge for their residence. This exemption provides substantial savings to seniors.

Senior Citizens, who own and occupy their own residence, but who are not eligible for the Senior Citizen Sewer Charge Exemption due to property type, can apply for the Senior Citizen Sewer Rebate. This provides an annual $50 rebate in lieu of the exemption.

To be eligible for the sewer service charge exemption:

• You must be 65 years of age or older
• You must be the owner of the residential unit
• You must occupy the residential unit as your principal place of residence
• The residential unit must have a separate water meter or assessed account

To be eligible for the sewer charge annual rebate:

• You must be 65 years of age, or older, as of January 1 for the year you are applying.
• You must be the sole owner, or owner in joint tenancy, or tenancy in common of the property.
• You must occupy the property as your principal place of residence.
• You must own a townhouse, condominium unit, or cooperative apartment that shares a common water bill.

How To Apply

If you meet all the above criteria and wish to apply, you must submit a Senior Sewer Application. A spanish version is also available. The form must be completed in its entirety and submitted with all supporting documentation. 

If the conditions under which you submit your application change, you are required to make the City aware of these changes to determine if the exemption still applies.  If it is determined that this exemption was approved under false pretenses, you may be liable for any previously waived charges as well as any applicable penalties or fines. The City reserves the right to request recertification of the exemption periodically.

Senior Citizen Garbage Fee Discount

No application is required. If a customer is currently receiving the Cook County Senior Assessment Freeze, the Senior Garbage Fee Discount will be automatically applied to their utility bill. For more information on the Cook County Senior Freeze, please see the Cook County Treasurer's website.

Not-For-Profit Organization Exemption

The Municipal Code of Chicago was amended by the City Council as it relates to exemptions. The amended ordinance 11-12-540 became effective January 1, 2013. You can read a summary of the amendment.

• The account must have a meter to receive the exemption.
• The organization should complete the application and return it as indicted in the correspondence.
• After the application is processed, the organization's first bill will reflect the organization's appropriate exemption level in accordance with their submitted application.

How To Apply

1. Download the Not-For-Profit Exemption Application, and fill it out completely before submitting to the address on the form. Don't forget to fill out the 2nd page with your financial data and sign the 3rd page.
2. Download the NFP Water Conservation Plan Commitment, and follow the instructions on the form to submit it. The Department of Water Management will be available to assist in developing a plan.