Pittsburgh is a city of helpers. It’s engrained in our community and we all strive to lend a helping hand to someone in need. During this challenging time, we are proud to provide an additional way to help one another. 

Pittsburgh residents can now contribute to our Hardship Grant Program, which directly benefits local families who are struggling to pay for basic water services. 

Since 2018, the Hardship Grant Program has helped more than 370 Pittsburgh households maintain essential water services. It was established to provide income-eligible customers with annual cash assistance to put towards their monthly water bill. We have currently distributed more than $91,000 through the program and award an average household grant of $285. 

PWSA is expanding its Customer Assistance Programs to help make bills as affordable as possible for those that need it most. As we make the necessary improvements to our water and sewer infrastructure, customer protections and the affordability of our rates cannot be ignored. Our Hardship Grant Program can make a tremendous difference in the lives of many of our customers while reflecting Pittsburgh’s values of helping one another. 

By contributing to the Hardship Grant Program, your tax-deductible donation is distributed to income eligible households. Grants are dispersed to families with a gross household income that is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level. This means that a family of four making $39,300 would qualify. Households can only receive a grant once every 12 months up to the maximum amount of $300.

The Hardship Grant Program, like our other Customer Assistance Programs, is administered by Dollar Energy Fund. For more information about the Hardship Grant Program or to donate, please visit pgh2o.com/give.