If you are experiencing financial hardship and your water has been disconnected or will be soon, the LIHWAP Low Income household Water Assistance Program may be able to help. Please note that while most states have not fully implemented their plans, some information is available for each state.
What is the LIHWAP Low Income Household Water Assistance Program?
The LIHWAP Low Income Household Water Assistance Program was established in 2021 to help individuals and families who are having difficulty paying their water bills. The program is part of the American Rescue Plan, created to mitigate the economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The LIHWAP Low Income Household Water Assistance Program is a federally funded program, but is being administered at the state level. Please read on for information about LIHWAP in your state.
Who is eligible for LIHWAP Low Income Household Water Assistance Program?
If you and/or your family qualifies for LIHEAP Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, you will also qualify for LIHWAP Low Income Household Water Assistance Program. To qualify for these programs, your household income must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines.
It is important to note that even if you have not received government assistance to pay your bills before, you are still eligible for this program.
How do I get help from LIHWAP Low Income Household Water Assistance Program?
LIHWAP Low Income Household Water Assistance Program is a federally funded program, which is being administered at the state level. This means that the national government located in Washington, DC is providing the funding for this program, but that each state will be doing the legwork to help state residents get their bills paid. Funds will be distributed directly to the utility companies that provide water to state residents.
Below we have provided links to information about the LIHWAP Low Income Household Water Assistance Program in each state.
LIHWAP Low Income Household Water Assistance Program in each state
Please note that as of October 2021, Low Income Household Water Assistance Programs are still under construction in most states. Below is a listing of where you can find information on each state’s program as it becomes available.
Funding is not yet available for the LIHWAP Low Income Household Water Assistance Program in Alabama. Check their website frequently for updates.
Information about LIHWAP Low Income Household Water Assistance Program does not appear to be available as of October 2021. Find your state agency expected to administer the program through this interactive map.
The Arizona Department of Economic Security is currently accepting applications for their LIHWAP program. Their website includes information about eligibility, and states that households may receive up to $1,800 in assistance, depending on their need.
As of October 2021, funding is not yet available for the LIHWAP Low Income Household Water Assistance Program in Arkansas. Check the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment website frequently for updates.
As of October 2021, funding is not yet available for the LIHWAP Low Income Household Water Assistance Program in California. Check the California Department of Community Services and Development website frequently, or sign up for updates here.
Information about LIHWAP Low Income Household Water Assistance Program does not appear to be available as of October 2021. Find your state agency expected to administer the program through this interactive map.
As of October, 2021, funding is not yet available for the LIHWAP Low Income Household Water Assistance Program in Connecticut. Check the Connecticut Department of Social Services website frequently for updates.
As of October 2021, the State of Delaware has not yet released information on how to apply for LIHWAP. Check their website frequently for updates.
As of October 2021, it does not appear that the State of Florida has released information about how to apply for LIHWAP. Check the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity website frequently for updates.
The State of Georgia’s distribution of LIHWAP Low Income Water Assistance Program funds is scheduled to begin on November 1 and will be administered through the Department of Human Services Division of Family & Children Services. Check their website for updates or contact DHS directly.
Information about LIHWAP Low Income Household Water Assistance Program does not appear to be available as of October 2021. Find your state agency expected to administer the program through this interactive map.
Information about LIHWAP Low Income Household Water Assistance Program is not available as of October 2021. However, it appears that the program will be administered through the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare. Check their website frequently for updates.
In Illinois, LIHWAP Low Income Household Water Assistance Program will be administered through various local agencies when funds become available. The same local administrative agencies that take care of LIHEAP in your community will administer LIHWAP. More information can be found through the Citizens Utility Board.
Indiana’s Housing and Community Development Authority has begun accepting applications for LIHWAP for those who are also applying for LIHEAP Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
LIHWAP will be administered by the Iowa Department of Human Rights and locally through Iowa’s Community Action Agencies. Administration of LIHWAP began on October 8, 2021. Find out how to contact your local Community Action Agency here.
As of October 2021, it does not appear that Kansas has opened applications for LIHWAP Low Income Household Water Assistance Program funds. The program will be administered through the Kansas Department for Children and Families. Check their website frequently for updates.
It appears that the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services will be administering Kentucky’s LIHWAP funds. However, their website does not display any information on how to apply for the program as of October 2021. Check their website frequently for updates.
Information about LIHWAP Low Income Household Water Assistance Program does not appear to be available as of October 2021. Find your state agency expected to administer the program through this interactive map.
Information about LIHWAP Low Income Household Water Assistance Program does not appear to be available as of October 2021. Find your state agency expected to administer the program through this interactive map.
Information about LIHWAP Low Income Household Water Assistance Program does not appear to be available as of October 2021. Find your state agency expected to administer the program through this interactive map.
The State of Massachusetts will administer LIHWAP through their Department of Housing and Community Development, and they estimate that payments will begin in November 2021. The eligibility for LIHWAP in MA will be the same as the eligibility criteria for LIHEAP. Check their website frequently for updates on how to apply.
Community Action Agencies in the State of Michigan will help to administer LIHWAP Low Income Household Water Assistance Program funds. Check with your local CAA for information on how to apply.
The Minnesota Department of Commerce is designated to administer LIHWAP, but instructions to apply do not appear to be available as of October 2021. Check their website frequently for updates.
Information on how to apply to LIHWAP in the State of Mississippi does not appear to be available as of October 2021. However, it is known that the program will be administered through the Mississippi Department of Human Services. Check their website frequently for updates or contact them directly.
Visit the Missouri Department of Social Services website to apply for LIHWAP assistance. You can find more information about LIHWAP and eligibility requirements here.
The State of Montana will administer its LIHWAP Low Income Household Water Assistance Program through the Department of Health and Human Services Human & Community Services Division. The application form is available here.
The State of Nebraska will administer LIHWAP through the Department of Health and Human Services. As of October 2021, an application form does not appear to be available. Check the DHHS website frequently for updates, or contact the department directly.
The State of Nevada will administer LIHWAP through the Department of Health and Human Services. As of October 2021, an application form does not appear to be available. Check the DHHS website frequently for updates, or contact the department directly.
Information about LIHWAP Low Income Household Water Assistance Program does not appear to be available as of October 2021. Find your state agency expected to administer the program through this interactive map.
Information about LIHWAP Low Income Household Water Assistance Program does not appear to be available as of October 2021. Find your state agency expected to administer the program through this interactive map.
The State of New Mexico will administer LIHWAP through their Human Services Department. As of October 2021, an application form does not appear to be available. Check their website frequently for updates, or contact the department directly.
As of October 2021, it is not clear which New York State department will administer LIHWAP Low Income Household Water Assistance Program. However, it is likely to be the Office of Temporary and Disability Insurance. Contact information for program administrators is available via this interactive map.
North Carolina’s Department of Health & Human Services will administer LIHWAP. The program has not yet been implemented, but this website will be updated as soon as information becomes available.
North Dakota is the only state that chose not to accept funding for LIHWAP from the federal government. Therefore, residents of North Dakota are not eligible for LIHWAP.
The Ohio Department of Development Community Services Division will administer the LIHWAP program in the State of Ohio. While the application does not appear to be available as of October 2021, we recommend checking their website frequently for updates or contacting the agency directly.
The Oklahoma Department of Human Services will administer LIHWAP Low Income Household Water Assistance Program. While the application does not appear to be available as of October 2021, we recommend checking their website frequently for updates or contacting the agency directly.
The Oregon Department of Housing and Community Services will administer LIHWAP Low Income Household Water Assistance Program in the State of Oregon. As of October 2021, it does not appear that an application is available. We recommend checking their website frequently for updates or contacting the agency directly.
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services will administer LIHWAP. As of October 2021, applications are not yet open. Check their website frequently for updates.
The Rhode Island Department of Health & Human Services will administer LIHWAP. As of October 2021, applications are not yet open. Check their website frequently for updates.
The South Carolina Office of Economic Opportunity is administering the LIHWAP Low Income Household Water Assistance Program, but SC residents must apply through their designated Community Action Agency.
The South Dakota Department of Health and Human Services will administer their LIHWAP program, but as of October 2021, an application form does not appear to be available. Check their website frequently for updates, or contact the department directly.
Tennessee’s Housing Development Agency will administer their LIHWAP program, and it will be closely aligned with their LIHEAP programs. An application form does not appear to be available as of October 2021, but we recommend contacting the agency that serves your county, listed on this flyer, for more information.
It appears that applications for LIHWAP in Texas are open. However, application materials are not easy to find. The Community Action Partnership serving south central Texas has information on applying to LIHWAP. We recommend contacting your local Community Action Partnership.
According to the Community Action Partnership of Utah, LIHWAP Low Income Household Water Assistance Programs will be administered by Community Action Agencies. Contact the Community Action Agency near you for more information.
The Vermont Agency of Human Services will administer the LIHWAP program, but it is unclear as of October 2021 when the application for the program will open. Check their website frequently for updates.
The State of Virginia will administer their LIHWAP program through the Department of Social Services. It is not clear when the application for the program will open. Check their website frequently for updates or contact the agency directly.
Applications for LIHWAP in Washington State are open. Visit their website to find out how to apply.
Applications for LIHWAP Low Income Household Water Assistance Program are open and can be accessed through your local Community Action Agency.
The State of Wisconsin has not made LIHWAP application information available. You can find out more information by calling the office responsible for Home Energy Plus in your area.
The Wyoming Department of Family Services is responsible for the LIHWAP program, but has not yet posted application information. Please check their website frequently or contact the department directly for more information.
Check this article and your state’s website for updates on LIHWAP Low Income Household Water Assistance Program.
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Catherine Hall
Catherine Hall, LMSW is a therapist at a small group practice in New York City. She earned her master of social work degree at New York University.