The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program is designed to help ensure that low-income households have access to safe and affordable water and wastewater services, and to prevent water shutoffs and other harmful consequences of unaffordable water bills. Find out more about LIHWAP water assistance below.
What is Low Income Household Water Assistance Program ?
The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is a program established by the United States Congress to provide assistance to low-income households to help them pay their water and wastewater bills. The program is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which allocated $500 million to the program.
The LIHWAP is administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which provides grants to states, territories, and tribes to assist eligible households. To be eligible for the program, a household must have a water or wastewater bill that is past due, or that the household expects to have difficulty paying in the future.
The program can provide assistance to eligible households for a variety of needs, including bill payment assistance, water and wastewater arrears assistance, and water and wastewater infrastructure improvements. The program also provides technical assistance and training to help households better manage their water bills and conserve water.
How Does LIHWAP Program Work ?
The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program is a federal program that provides financial assistance to eligible households who are struggling to pay their water and wastewater bills. Here’s how the program works:
1) Application and Approval:
To apply for low income household water assistance program, households can contact their local LIHWAP agency or visit the LIHWAP website to access the application. The application typically requires households to provide information about their income, water usage, and past due bills. After submitting the application, households will be notified if they have been approved for assistance.
2) Assistance Distribution:
Once approved for LIHWAP assistance, households can receive financial assistance to help pay past due water and wastewater bills, as well as future bills that they expect to have difficulty paying. The amount of assistance provided can vary by state and by household, but generally, households can receive up to $2,500 in assistance per bill, and up to $5,000 in total assistance.
3) Repairs and Upgrades:
The assistance provided through LIHWAP can be used to pay past due water and wastewater bills, as well as future bills that the household expects to have difficulty paying. The assistance can also be used to make repairs or upgrades to water and wastewater systems, such as fixing leaks or replacing outdated equipment.
Who is Eligible for Low Income Household Water Assistance Program?
To receive assistance through LIHWAP, a household must meet certain eligibility criteria, including being a low-income household, having a past due water or wastewater bill, and being a resident of the state where they are applying for assistance. Each state may have its own prioritization criteria for determining who receives LIHWAP assistance. Generally, to be eligible for the program, you must meet the following criteria:
1) Citizenship:
While LIHWAP is a federal program, it is administered at the state level, and some states may require applicants to be U.S. citizens or legal residents.
2) Low-Income Household:
You must be a low-income household, which is typically defined as a household with income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. The exact income limits can vary by state and household size.
3) Past Due Bill:
You must have a past due water or wastewater bill, or expect to have difficulty paying your bill in the future. Each state may have its own criteria for what constitutes a past due bill, and may also consider factors such as family size and water usage.
4) Residency:
You must be a resident of the state where you are applying for LIHWAP assistance.
What Does Low Income Household Water Assistance Program Cover ?
LIHWAP is designed to prioritize assistance for households with the lowest incomes and those that are most at risk of having their water shut off due to non-payment. The program is designed to help eligible households pay for the following:
1) Drinking water and wastewater utility bills :
The program covers both drinking water and wastewater utility bills, including charges for water supply, water treatment, sewage treatment, and other related services.
2) Arrears or past-due bills :
If a household has accumulated unpaid bills, the program can provide assistance to pay off the arrears.
3) Connection fees :
The program can assist with the cost of connecting or reconnecting a household to a water or wastewater utility service.
4) Leak repairs :
The program may provide assistance to repair leaks in a household’s water supply or wastewater system.
It’s important to note that each state and territory may have its own rules and regulations regarding low income household water assistance program, and the specifics of what is covered may vary. If you are interested in applying, it is best to check with your local utility or the LIHWAP administrator in your state for more information.
How Much Assistance can I Receive under LIHWAP ?
The amount of assistance that a household can receive from the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program can vary by state and by household. Generally, LIHWAP can provide up to $2,500 in assistance per bill, and up to $5,000 in total assistance.
It’s important to note that each state may have its own limits on the amount of assistance that can be provided through low income household water assistance program. Additionally, LIHWAP is designed to prioritize assistance for households with the lowest incomes and those that are most at risk of having their water shut off due to non-payment. Each state may have its own prioritization criteria for determining who receives LIHWAP assistance.