Press Release

PUC Highlights Reopening of Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program as Part of #CallUtilitiesNow Campaign

Published on 7/10/2023

Filed under: Consumer Education Water and Wastewater

LIHWAP assists Pennsylvania families who are behind on their drinking water and wastewater bills to ensure their service remains active

HARRISBURG – As part of its #CallUtilitiesNow campaign, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today encouraged Pennsylvania consumers to learn more about the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), which the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) recently announced has reopened to help Pennsylvanians maintain access to drinking and wastewater services.

“The Commission continues to support the administration of LIHWAP for the benefit of low-income utility customers who may need help paying their water and/or wastewater bills,” said Commissioner Ralph V. Yanora, Co-Vice Chair, National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) Committee on Water.

Commissioner Kathryn L. Zerfuss: “I wish to thank the Governor and his Administration for their forward thinking in applying for these extra funds to help income eligible Pennsylvanians and encourage folks in need to apply.”

LIHWAP is a temporary assistance program established through the American Rescue Plan Act and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. LIHWAP first opened in 2022 and according to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), it has assisted 44,319 households in paying their water and wastewater bills. LIHWAP will run from July 10 through Aug. 11, or until all funds are used, whichever comes first. Pennsylvania received additional federal funding to reopen LIHWAP due to a successful program in 2022.

In March 2023, the PUC thanked Gov. Shapiro and his Administration for requesting additional funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to be awarded to LIHWAP.

How to Qualify

The PUC encourages consumers to learn more about LIHWAP which reopens for applications on July 10, 2023. LIHWAP offers grants to eligible households that currently have a water or wastewater arrearage greater than $25 (a termination notice will not be required). The program budget allots $34.4 million for grants to pay water or wastewater utility accounts.  LIHWAP payments will be sent directly to participating water and wastewater utilities, not the household or landlord.

LIHWAP is available for water or wastewater utilities (municipal, borough, authority or private) that agree to participate in the program. To participate, the utility must sign a vendor agreement form to agree to the terms of the program (including keeping customers on for a minimum of 90 days after receipt of a grant and restoring service within specified timeframes). Consumers interested in LIWHAP should check with their water and wastewater utilities to confirm participation.

To qualify, a household must have a:

• Gross income at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. Households receiving benefits from Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) will be considered categorically income eligible. 
• Water or wastewater account in a household member or landlord’s name.
• Water or wastewater account that is off or has an arrearage. A termination notice is not required to qualify for a LIHWAP grant, but the arrearage amount must be verified by the utility.

Program Benefits

• The LIHWAP benefit amount will be based on the amount of the household’s account arrearage with the minimum benefit amount of $25 and the maximum benefit amount of $2,500. If the account arrearage exceeds the maximum amount, the maximum amount will be paid if the utility agrees to maintain service.
• Households can qualify for only one LIHWAP grant benefit per account. If households have separate drinking water and wastewater accounts in arrears, they could receive a benefit for each account (up to $2,500 for each).
• Households can apply online using COMPASS, in person at local County Assistance Offices or via fax. More information also is available on the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) website. 
• Households will be notified of eligibility decisions within 30 days and have appeal rights of the utility.

#CallUtilitiesNow Campaign

The PUC’s #CallUtilitiesNow campaign, recognized by state and international communications efforts, was created to help reach consumers and small businesses experiencing financial difficulty, either because of direct COVID-19 issues or the general economic downturn triggered by the pandemic. Since then, it has continued to evolve and is the core of PUC outreach related to rising energy prices and ongoing utility bill concerns.

About the PUC

The PUC balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

Visit the PUC’s website at www.puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Search for the “Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission” or “PA PUC” on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.

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Contact:

• Denise McCracken
  Senior Communications Specialist
  717-787-5722
  demccracken@pa.gov