The Complete Guide to Paying Your Utility Bill in Lake Worth, Texas

Every person who lives in Lake Worth, Texas, needs to pay their utility bills on time and in full. But sometimes it’s hard to figure out how to pay your bill, especially if you’re new to the area. You will learn everything you need to know about how to pay your City of Lake Worth electric, water, and sewer bills in this complete guide.

Overview of Utility Services in Lake Worth

The City of Lake Worth provides electric water and sewer utility services to residents and businesses within the city limits.

Electric Service

• Provided by Lake Worth Utilities
• Services around 11,000 customers
• Offers budget billing program to levelize payments

Water and Sewer Service

• Provided by the City of Lake Worth
• Water sourced from Lake Worth and Eagle Mountain Lake
• Wastewater treatment done at Village Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant

Understanding which utility provides which services is the first step toward paying your bills properly.

Ways to Pay Your Utility Bill

People can pay their utility bills on time with a number of easy payment options from the City of Lake Worth.

Pay Online

The easiest way for most customers to pay their bill is online through the City of Lake Worth payment portal. You can pay using a credit card, debit card or electronic check. You’ll need your account number and an invoice number to complete the payment.

Pay by Phone

You can pay your utility bill over the phone with a credit card or electronic check by calling 817-237-1211. Make sure you have your bill and account number ready when you call.

Pay by Mail

Utility payments can be mailed to:

City of Lake Worth
Utility Billing
3805 Adam Grubb
Lake Worth, TX 76135

Be sure to include your payment stub or write your account number on the check or money order. Allow 5-7 days for mailed payments to be received and processed.

Pay in Person

You can pay your utility bill in person at Lake Worth City Hall located at 3805 Adam Grubb, Lake Worth, TX 76135. They accept cash, checks, money orders and credit/debit cards. City Hall is open Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm.

Pay at Authorized Payment Centers

The City has contracted with several authorized bill payment centers where you can pay your utility bill in person. These include:

• Tom Thumb – 6360 Azle Ave, Lake Worth, TX 76135
• Brookshire’s – 6405 Lake Worth Blvd, Lake Worth, TX 76135

Bring your payment stub or know your account number when visiting a payment center.

Sign Up for Auto Pay

For ultimate convenience, sign up for auto pay so your bill is deducted from your bank account automatically each month. Call 817-237-1211 to enroll in auto pay.

When to Pay Your Utility Bill

Utility bills in Lake Worth are issued on a monthly basis. Payment is due by the 10th of each month to avoid penalties.

Here are the key dates to know:

• Meter Reading Date: Meters are read around the 25th of each month. This determines usage for that billing period.

• Bill Issued: Bills are mailed out on the 28th of each month.

• Due Date: Payment must be received by the 10th to avoid late fees.

• Late Notice Mailed: If payment is not received by the 10th, a late notice is mailed on the 15th.

• Shut Off Notice Mailed: If the bill remains unpaid, a shut off notice is mailed on the 22nd.

• Service Disconnection: If payment is still not received after the shut off notice, service can be disconnected on the 27th. Reconnection fees apply to resume service.

As you can see, it’s crucial to pay your bill by the 10th to avoid penalties!

How to Read Your Utility Bill

Reading and understanding your utility bill is key to ensuring accurate charges. Here are the key sections to review on your City of Lake Worth utility bill:

Account Information

This section displays your account number, the billing date, due date and meter read date. It also shows your service address and any special messages about your account.

Billing Summary

This summarizes your total charges for the month and any unpaid prior balances. It will also show total payments made on the account during the billing period.

Electric Charges

Details your electricity usage in kWh and the associated charges. Compare your usage to the same month last year.

Water Charges

Breaks down your water usage by tiered rate levels and sewer charges based on your water consumption. Check for leaks if usage spikes.

Billing History

Shows your previous balances and payments for the past 6 months so you can spot payment trends.

Messages

Notes any account alerts like past due balances or pending shut off notices.

Review each section carefully to verify all charges are accurate before paying your bill. Be sure to call Customer Service at 817-237-1211 if you have any questions.

How to Dispute Your Utility Bill

If you believe your utility bill contains incorrect charges, here is the process to dispute it:

• Review Usage Data: Compare current and historical usage to identify outliers. Could a leak or malfunction have caused a spike?

• Contact Customer Service: Inform them you are disputing your bill and why. Provide any evidence supporting your claim.

• Request Meter Test: If usage seems abnormal, you can request they test your meter for accuracy. Fees may apply.

• Pay Undisputed Amount: Pay any charges you agree with by the due date to avoid late fees on undisputed balance.

• Receive Adjustment: If any charges are deemed incorrect after review, you will receive an account adjustment on your next bill.

• Appeal Decision: If your dispute is denied and you still disagree, file a written appeal request within 10 days.

Document everything in writing whenever disputing a bill. Be polite but firm when speaking with customer service about the issue.

Avoid Late Fees and Disconnection

To avoid late fees and potential service disconnection, be sure to pay your utility bill in full each month by the due date. Late fees are 5% of the overdue balance. Here are some tips to stay on track:

• Mark your due date on your calendar so it doesn’t sneak up on you.
• Enroll in auto pay or schedule bill pay through your bank.
• Sign up for bill reminders by phone, email or text message.
• If you anticipate an issue paying on time, call ahead of the due date to make arrangements.
• Apply for bill assistance programs if eligible.

Disconnection of services like water, sewer and electricity can create major health and safety issues. Avoid cut offs by keeping accounts current.

Payment Assistance Programs

If you are struggling to keep up with utility bills, Lake Worth offers assistance programs based on eligibility:

• Utility Bill Discount Program – Offers a 15% discount for senior citizens over 65 and disabled residents on fixed incomes.

• Payment Arrangements – Setup a payment plan for past due balances.

• HEAP Bill Assistance – Provides federal bill assistance funds for qualified low income households.

Contact Customer Service to learn more about applying for these utility bill savings programs if money is tight. Taking advantage of these programs is better than missing payments and risking disconnection.

Moving Out? Close Your Utility Account

When moving out of Lake Worth, you must close your utility account to avoid being charged for service at that address.

To close an account, submit a Service Disconnect Request form at least 3 days before your move date. Provide your forwarding address and date service should be discontinued.

You will receive a final bill that covers any outstanding balance and remaining usage up until your closing date. Pay this final bill promptly to avoid late fees. Failing to close accounts can negatively impact your credit score if the new resident’s delinquency gets linked to you.

Closing accounts properly when you move is a key step in the process.

In Summary…

We covered a lot of ground here on paying your City of Lake Worth electric, water and sewer utility bills correctly and on time. To recap:

• Understand which utilities the city provides
• Use convenient online, phone, mail or in-person payment options
• Pay monthly bills by the 10th to avoid penalties
• Review all charges closely for accuracy
• Dispute any incorrect bills promptly
• Explore bill assistance programs if needed
• Don’t forget to close accounts when you move