News

July 21, 2023

Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program Available

The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is available to help Pennsylvania families who have overdue water bills or at risk of losing water service for their home. The application period is open through Friday, August 11.

About

LIHWAP is a temporary emergency program to help low-income families pay overdue water bills. Water assistance is provided as a grant paid directly to service providers and does not need to be repaid.

LIHWAP can help households that are in emergency situations maintain essential water access. Families can receive one crisis grant for drinking water service and one crisis grant for wastewater service up to $2,500 each. Crisis situations include:

  • Past-due water bills;
  • Termination of utility service; or,
  • Threat of termination of water service in the next 60 days.

Apply

Applicants can be renters or home owners and they do not need to be on public assistance; however, they do need to have an unpaid water bill to qualify.

Eligibility and income requirements are available on the PA Department of Human Services website. The application is available online on the COMPASS website.

Water Assistance Resources