City Extends Utility Bill Grace Period for Residents Impacted by Federal Shutdown

11/6/2025

The City of Tulsa and the Tulsa Metropolitan Utility Authority (TMUA) have announced a temporary utility payment grace period through January 31, 2026, for residents affected by the ongoing federal government shutdown.

Any Tulsa resident who is a furloughed federal employee or a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipient struggling to pay bills because of the shutdown will not lose water service during this time.

“We know many Tulsans are caught in the middle of something they didn’t cause,” Mayor Monroe Nichols said. “People who work hard, serve their country, and care for their families shouldn’t have to worry about losing water because their paycheck or benefits are delayed. We can’t fix what’s happening in Washington, D.C., but we can make sure our neighbors are taken care of here at home."

“When families lose income or food support through no fault of their own, the last thing they should have to worry about is whether their water will be turned off," Mayor Nichols added. "We’re committed to making sure Tulsans can stay connected to essential services while the federal government works to restore stability.”

Under this temporary policy, Utility Billing Services will allow qualifying customers extra time to make utility payments without risking service interruption during the shutdown period. This grace period will be in effect through January 31, 2026. The goal is to help residents maintain access to essential water and sewer services while navigating unexpected financial hardship caused by the lapse in federal funding.

If you’ve been affected by the shutdown and can’t make your utility payment right now, your water service will stay on.

During this time:

• No shutoffs will occur for verified furloughed federal employees and SNAP recipients.
• Furloughed federal employees will need to show a personalized furlough letter addressed to the applicant. If their letter is not personalized, they will also need to provide their federal ID to qualify.
• SNAP recipients will need to show their benefits letter.
  • Documents and questions should be emailed to tulsa311@cityoftulsa.org. Customers will also need to include their account number and customer ID in their initial email. This information can be found on your monthly utility statement.
• Applicants without email/internet access must provide the information above in-person at City Hall, 175 E. 2nd St., Tulsa, OK, Monday-Friday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
• Bills are not being waived - customers will still owe the balance. However, the City will pause disconnections and work with individuals on a reasonable payment plan once income or benefits resume.
• There will be no additional penalties or service interruptions during the shutdown.

“Water is the foundation of public health, safety, and stability,” said Lou Reynolds, Chairman of the Tulsa Metropolitan Utility Authority. “TMUA’s mission has always been to provide reliable service to our community. Offering grace during times like this is the right thing to do. It allows families to focus on putting food on the table and caring for loved ones while we ensure that their essential water service continues uninterrupted.”

Impact on Tulsa
The shutdown that began on October 1 has left many families without income or access to food benefits.

More than one in eight Tulsans – including children, seniors, and working families – rely on SNAP to help put food on the table. The City of Tulsa is continuing to work with service providers and others through its Office of Children, Youth, and Families to foster cross-partner collaboration and ensure needs are met during this time.