How to Apply for Help with Water Bills

water assistance

Applications are now being accepted for the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). The program will provide financial help to low-income households to reduce the balances they have on their residential water and wastewater bills. 

The program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will provide benefits directly to water and wastewater companies on behalf of residential customers. The assistance can be used, in order of priority, to:

Priority will also be given to families with elderly or disabled household members and/or with children under the age of five, no matter which category they fall into.

To be eligible for LIHWAP assistance, applicants must be water/wastewater bill holders who are responsible for paying their water and sewer bills directly to the vendors. Also, applicants’ total gross household income must be at or below 60% of the state median Income ($6,439 a month for a family of four). 

Participants in the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) are automatically eligible for LIHWAP assistance as long as they are water/wastewater bill holders.

People can apply online through the DCAid application portal: https://njdca-housing.dynamics365portals.us/en-US/dcaid-services/

People who do not have access to computers or the internet can call 1-800-510-3102 to be directed to one of the community action agencies to assist them with starting, completing, and submitting an application online.