Kirkland Cares Low-Income Support Program

During the 2023-2024 budget process, the City Council added new funding for Kirkland’s first universal low-income discount program to help mitigate the impacts of inflation and higher utility rates. 

On December 12, 2023, Ordinance O-4868 was passed by City Council establishing the program and creating a new chapter of the Kirkland Municipal Code. 

• Must live within Kirkland City limits.

• Annual household income must be at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) for King County:

  Household Size	80% of 2024 Area Median Income (AMI)
  For a Household of 1	$77,700
  For a Household of 2	$88,800
  For a Household of 3	$99,900
  For a Household of 4	$110,950
  For a Household of 5	$119,850
  For a Household of 6	$128,750
  For a Household of 7	$137,600
  For a Household of 8	$146,500

To be eligible for the utility discount applicants must meet the income qualifications and must receive water, sewer, and/or garbage services from the City of Kirkland.

If you pay your water, sewer, and/or garbage bills directly to the City of Kirkland, discounted rates will be applied to your bill.

If your water, sewer, and/or garbage utilities are included in your rent, you are eligible for the utility discount in the form of a rebate. Rebate amounts will depend on whether utilities are fully included in your rental bill or are itemized as a separate line in your rental bill.

Please visit the City’s Utility Billing webpage for more details.

To learn more about the program and to apply, visit the program website.

Income qualified applicants are eligible to receive discounts on pet licenses:

• $30 discount on license for altered pet (100% discount)
• $30 discount on license for unaltered pet (50% discount)

The discount may be applied to each pet in a household. Only dogs and cats are eligible for licensing.

Please visit the City’s Pet Licensing Page for more details.

To learn more about the program and to apply, visit the program website.

Income qualified applicants may receive a $50 annual discount on the basic license fee. To qualify, you must reside within the City of Kirkland and your business must be based in the City of Kirkland. You will be asked to provide your valid Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number.

To learn more, please visit the City’s Business Licensing Page.

To learn more about the program and to apply, visit the program website.

Income qualified residents may receive a $20 rebate for the city-imposed vehicle fee they personally paid by submitting an application. 

To learn more about the program and to apply, visit the program website.

To apply, visit the program website.

Residential utility customers currently receiving low-income senior/disabled discount rates will continue to receive those discounted utility rates. When eligibility renewal is due, they will be contacted by the City to renew using the new online application process.

Technical assistance will be available through the online application portal. If you would like in-person assistance, please visit City Hall during business hours.

The application portal will be open April 4, 2024, through September 30, 2024.  For any questions about the program after September 30, please contact Tim Hanser, thanser@kirklandwa.gov