Water Assistance Program/LIHWAP
Applications are now being accepted for the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP).
The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is a temporary emergency program to help low-income families pay overdue water bills. LIHWAP is a grant.
You do not have to repay it.
LIHWAP crisis grants may be available if you have an emergency situation and are in jeopardy of losing your water service. You can receive one crisis grant for your drinking water service and one crisis grant for your wastewater service, up to $2,500 each.
Crisis situations include:
- Past-due water bills.
- Termination of utility service.
- Danger of having utility service terminated (received a notice that service will be shut off within the next 60 days).
How to Apply
-
Online:
www.compass.state.pa.us
-
Paper: You can download a paper application, print it, fill it out, and return it to your local county assistance office.
-
Phone: Request an application by calling the Statewide Customer Service Center at 877-395-8930 or call PA Relay at 711 for the hearing impaired.
-
In-Person: Applications are available at your local
county assistance office.
You will need:
- Names of people in your household;
- Dates of birth for all household members;
- Social Security numbers for all household members;
- Proof of income for all household members; and
- A recent water bill.
After your application is processed, you will receive a written notice that will tell you if you qualify. If eligible, it will tell you the amount of your grant.
Eligibility
You may qualify for a LIHWAP grant if:
-
You either rent or own your home.
- You have an overdue water bill that you are responsible for paying.
- Your household income meets the following income guidelines:
Income Requirements
1
| $19,320
|
2
| $26,130 |
3
| $32,940
|
4
| $39,750
|
5
| $46,560
|
6
| $53,370
|
7
| $60,180
|
8
| $66,990 |
9
| $73,800
|
10
| $80,610
|
For every additional person, add $6,810
|
Help promote the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) using the materials below:
Social Media Posts
Below are examples of social media posts and graphics. If you decide to create your own, then please be sure to use dhs.pa.gov/WaterHelp for information about LIHWAP and feel free to tag DHS on
Facebook and
Twitter.
Examples of text for posts:
Example 1:
Need help keeping your home water flowing? Visit dhs.pa.gov/WaterHelp to learn about the temporary assistance program created by the American Rescue Plan Act for Low-income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP).
Example 2:
Do you have past-due water bills?
Under threat of losing water service in the next 60 days?
Has your water service terminated?
Example 3:
Low-income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) may be able to help. Learn more at: dhs.pa.gov/WaterHelp
Are you or someone you know at risk of losing water service at their home? Help is available for Pennsylvanians who qualify. Learn more at dhs.pa.gov/WaterHelp
Social Media Graphics
Images are full size, just right-click and then save the graphic you want to use.
Short flyer text
Are you at risk of having your water shut off?
Help is
available
The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is available to help families who have overdue water bills or at risk of losing water service for their home.
Applications open January 4, 2022
Learn more about if you qualify at www.dhs.pa.gov/waterhelp
Apply for LIHWAP and other assistance now at www.compass.state.pa.us
Newsletter text
Are you or someone you know at risk of losing water service at their home? Help is available for Pennsylvanians who need help with water bills or who may lose water service.
The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is a new, temporary assistance program created by the American Rescue Plan Act. LIHWAP can help households that are in emergency situations maintain essential water access. Crisis situations include:
- Past-due water bills;
- Termination of water service; or,
- Threat of termination of water service in the next 60 days.
To qualify, applicants must meet income requirements and have a crisis situation with water service. Learn more about LIHWAP and find out if your water service is participating at
www.dhs.pa.gov/waterhelp.
Apply for LIHWAP and other public assistance programs online at anytime through
www.compass.state.pa.us.