Having regular access to water to hydrate, cook, and use the bathroom helps us stay healthy and clean. But for older adults with limited income, utility bills for water and sewer services are a large part of already rising expenses as 20% of U.S. households on average are behind on water bills.1
If you find yourself behind on payments and in danger of a water shut off, there is help available. But it’s important to act quickly.
Having access to clean, running water is a basic necessity. Yet many low-income households struggle to pay their water and sewer bills, putting them at risk of shutoffs. If you are behind on your water bill payments, there are resources that may be able to help. This guide will provide an overview of some of the main options to get assistance with water bills.
The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)
The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is a federal program that helps low-income families pay water and wastewater bills. It is administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
LIHWAP provides funds to states, territories, tribes, and tribal organizations to assist eligible households. The states and local providers then distribute the funds to applicants. This funding can help households who are in arrears on bills or at risk of disconnection of their drinking water or wastewater services.
To be eligible, applicants must have income at or below 60% of state median income level. States set the eligibility guidelines within the federal requirements The assistance is distributed directly to utility providers and public water systems LIHWAP funds can cover costs like reconnection fees, late fees, and other charges in addition to the main water bill.
The LIHWAP program period ended September 30, 2023, so there are currently no new applications being accepted. However, some supplemental benefits may still be issued in certain cases.
Check with Your Local Water Utility Company
If you are behind on your water bill, the first step is to contact your local water utility company directly. Many utility providers have assistance programs or flexible repayment options to help avoid shutoff.
When you call, explain your situation and financial hardship. Ask what kinds of bill assistance or repayment programs may be available. The company’s website may also have information on their financial assistance options.
Some examples of utility company assistance programs include
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Payment plans – Set up installments to pay back the amount owed over time
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Bill discounts – Discounted rates for low-income or senior customers.
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Customer assistance funds – Programs to help cover costs for those in need.
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Arrearage forgiveness – The utility waives all or part of the past due balance.
The availability and eligibility requirements for these programs vary by location and utility provider.
Explore State and Local Government Assistance
Many states and some local governments offer assistance programs for utility bills, including water. These programs go by different names but serve the similar purposes of helping lower income households avoid shutoffs.
Your state’s public utilities commission or consumer advocate office may have information on water bill assistance programs in your area. For example, California has the Low-Income Oversight Board which oversees water rate assistance programs.
State and local programs are an important resource to explore if you are struggling with water bills. The assistance is often distributed as grants or credits that go directly to the utility on the customer’s behalf.
Turn to Nonprofit Organizations
There are national and local nonprofits that provide financial assistance to help individuals who are behind on essential utility bills.
Some examples include:
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The Salvation Army – Provides emergency financial assistance through local corps community centers, including help for water bills. Find a local office by searching on zip code.
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St. Vincent De Paul – A network of supporting people in need. Conferences in each community assist with utilities through voucher programs.
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United Way – Call 2-1-1 to be referred to local United Way assistance programs, including water bill aid. Can also search for help online.
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Catholic Charities – A network providing basic needs assistance. Local agencies may have utility funds or other resources.
When contacting organizations, be prepared to explain your situation, provide income verification, and bring copies of water bills showing amounts owed. Nonprofits typically have funding limitations, so aid is not guaranteed. But they are worth exploring as an additional resource.
Use Benefits Screening Tools to Find Programs
There are also tools available to help you find and apply for assistance programs that you may qualify for. Benefits screening tools ask a series of questions to help identify utility bill assistance and other benefits.
Examples include:
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BenefitsCheckUp from NCOA – Free and confidential screening tool covering local, state, federal and private benefits. Can apply online or speak to a counselor.
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Aunt Bertha – Online search platform for assistance programs by zip code. Covers utility assistance options.
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HelpWhenYouNeedIt – Run by Everence, screens for utility bill assistance and other needs.
These tools ask about your income, expenses, and household details. Based on your answers, you get information on benefits that may be available in your area to help with water bills.
Apply for Additional Government Benefits
In some cases, low income households may qualify for other government programs that can free up money in their budget to help cover essential utility costs. Some options to explore include:
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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – Helps pay for groceries which frees up funds for bills.
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** Medicaid** – Provides free or low-cost health insurance to those who qualify based on income and assets.
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Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) – Provides cash benefits and other support services to very low-income households with children under 18.
While these programs do not directly pay utility bills, they can reduce the strain on limited budgets. Applying for any benefits you may be eligible for can help improve your overall financial situation.
Seek Local Community Assistance
Don’t overlook assistance that may be available right in your local community:
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Food pantries – Getting free groceries frees up money to pay bills. Search online to find local options.
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Church assistance – Many local congregations have funds to help members or residents in need.
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Community action agencies – Public and nonprofit groups providing services for low-income residents.
Use online searches, social media, community bulletin boards, and word of mouth to find local assistance programs, groups, and resources in your city or town. Neighbors helping neighbors can make a big difference.
Frequency of Entities:
Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP): 10
water bill/bills: 19
wastewater: 3
utility/utilities: 8
payment plan: 1
bill discounts: 1
customer assistance funds: 1
arrearage forgiveness: 1
public utilities commission: 1
The Salvation Army: 1
St. Vincent De Paul: 1
United Way: 2
Catholic Charities: 1
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): 1
Medicaid: 1
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): 1
What should I do if I’m behind on my water bill?
Here are a few steps you can take if you think you are at risk of losing your water service:
- Reach out to your water utility company. Call your local water utility company and ask them if they have any relief programs for people with overdue water bills. Your utility company’s website may also have a section on water bill assistance. Some larger utility companies such as Aqua America, offer programs like Aqua Aid where water customers in Illinois, New Jersey, and Ohio can call for financial assistance funded by fellow customer donations.2
- Contact your states utility commission. Your state’s public utility commission may have tips or programs to help you pay your bills. The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners clickable map can help you locate the commission in your state, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia.
- Look into nonprofit organizations. There are a number of nonprofit groups that offer help to older adults behind on their water bills, including:
- Dollar Energy Fund: The fund offers financial assistance in 18 states.3 If you live in one of those states, you can use the fund’s hardship eligibility tool to see if you qualify for assistance. The tool allows you to:1
- Select your local water utility from a list
- Provide your income
- Indicate whether or not your water has been shut off
Based on your selections, you will receive links to apply to Dollar Energy Fund programs for financial assistance. If the tool shows no results, or if your utility company isn’t listed, you should contact your utility company about ways to get financial help.
After you click on a program link, make sure to pay attention to the requirements, such as application deadlines. In some cases, you may need a minimum balance on your bill to be eligible. The amount of money you get will also differ based on where you live. For example, Dollar Energy Fund’s hardship program for Maryland residents who use the American Water utility company offers a max of $200.4 Please note that you might not qualify for assistance if the money you’d receive isn’t enough to stop a service shutoff.
Dollar Energy Fund can also connect people to community-based organizations near them to help them fill out applications through its Agency Finder online search. Users can enter their address in the finder’s search box to find help near them.
- Salvation Army: Enter your ZIP code in Salvation Army’s online search to find an address and phone number for the nearest community center. After your initial online search, there will also be a list of categories you can select to narrow your results, including “Rent, Mortgage and Utility Assistance.” Click on that category for a list of community centers below that can help with utility bills. Note that your search results may label utility assistance as “emergency financial assistance.”
- United Way: Visit 211.org’s Utilities Assistance page or dial 2-1-1 on your phone to speak to a United Way operator for help with utility bills. You can also use the “Find Help Near You” online search to look for help based on your address or ZIP code.
You can visit NCOAs BenefitsCheckUp or call 1-800-794-6559 to connect with a specialist to help you find utility assistance.
1. Administration for Children and Families. Understanding Water Affordability Across Contexts: LIHWAP Water Utility Affordability Survey Report. Found on the Internet at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ocs/lihwap-survey-report-03-14-24.pdf
2. Aquawater.com. Aqua Aid. Found on the Internet at https://www.aquawater.com/customers/customer-assistance-programs/aqua-aid/index.php
3. Dollar Energy Fund. Hardship Program Eligibility Tool. Found on the Internet at https://www.dollarenergy.org/program-quiz/
4. Dollar Energy Fund. Maryland American Water Hardship Program. Found on the Internet at https://www.dollarenergy.org/program/maryland-american-water-hardship-program/
Find Ways to Save Money
Bills piling up? Not sure what to do? NCOA can help. Applying for assistance to pay for food, medicine, utilities, and more is easy. Use our free, confidential tool today.
Where Can I Pay My Water Bill? – CountyOffice.org
FAQ
What is the new Texas utility help program?
The Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) is a utility assistance program. CEAP is meant to help low-income households meet their immediate energy needs and to teach people how to keep their energy costs down for years to come through energy education.
What is the Maryland water program?
Dollar Energy Fund runs the Maryland American Water Hardship Program, which helps eligible utility customers pay their Maryland American Water bills.
How do I get help paying utilities in Ohio?
Visiting the Ohio Development Services Agency website or calling 800. 282. 0880. Visiting the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio website or calling 800. 686. 7826.
What is the NYC water bill rebate?
You do not have to enroll in the Home Water Assistance Program. Eligible customers will automatically receive a credit on their water and sewer account. A credit for $145. 00 will appear on the first DEP bill you receive after the credit is applied. The transaction will be labeled “NYC Home Water Assistance Credit. ”.
