Pittsburgh, PA — The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority’s (PWSA) enhanced Customer Assistance Programs offer more discounts to more customers than ever before with a simplified and accessible process for enrollment.
Among the highlights of these new benefits, the Bill Discount program will include an additional 50% discount on water usage charges for very low-income customers, and all customers enrolled in the Program will automatically receive an 85% discount on the stormwater charge. The monthly credit on past due balances will double from $15 to $30 for on-time payments made by customers who are enrolled in the Bill Discount Program and on an active payment plan. We expanded the Hardship Grant Program to include sewage-only customers, and all confirmed low-income customers are now automatically enrolled in the Winter Shutoff Moratorium. Lastly, reconnection fees for all customers will continue to be waived in 2022.
Start by calling our PGH2O Cares team at 412-255-2457. They will determine if you qualify and will help you get the assistance you need.
“No one should have to choose between paying their water bill and other essential expenses,” said Will Pickering, PWSA Chief Executive Officer. “These enhancements to our assistance programs will reduce bills for our most vulnerable customers as PWSA continues to deliver high-quality water, sewer, and stormwater services.”
The PGH2O Cares team, a group of education and outreach professionals, established in 2021 will continue the essential work of building awareness and increasing enrollment in our assistance programs. With more than 5,000 customers now enrolled in our Bill Discount Program, the Cares team will continue this important outreach work throughout 2022.
Customer Assistance Programs offer the following:
The Bill Discount Program is available to customers earning an annual income that is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
- The first 1,000 gallons of water are free. Eligible customers receive a 100% discount on their fixed monthly drinking and wastewater conveyance charges. This is a savings of approximately $35.09 per month.
- An 85% reduction on the new stormwater fee provides an additional savings of $5.07.
- An additional 50% discount on the volumetric charges (the usage charges over the first 1,000 gallons) for customers earning an annual income that is at or below 50% of the FPL.
- A monthly $30 credit to reduce past due balances. Customers must be enrolled in the Bill Discount Program, on an active payment plan, and make on-time monthly payments to receive this benefit.
- All confirmed low-income customers are now automatically enrolled in the Winter Shut Off Moratorium.
- Enrollment is applicable for two years.
The Bill Discount Program applies to renters when the tenant is the responsible billing party.
Flexible Payments Plans are income-based payment arrangements to help customers pay down high balances without accruing penalties and interest. We also offer special payment arrangements for small business owners.
Arrearage Forgiveness enables customers to pay down past due balances faster. A $30 monthly credit is allotted for each on-time payment for customers who are on an active payment plan and enrolled in the Bill Discount Program.
Winter Moratorium provides qualifying customers with the assurance that their water will not be shut off from December 1 through March 31 if they are unable to pay their bill. The Winter Shut Off Moratorium is available to single-family residential customers earning an annual income that is at or below 300% of the FPL.
Hardship Grant Program provides cash grants up to $300 per year for customers who are at or below 150% of the FPL. Grants are now available to PWSA’s sewage-only customers to apply to past-due wastewater charges. No sincere effort of payment is required to receive this grant.
We have currently distributed more than $165,000 through this program and have helped more than 630 Pittsburgh households maintain essential water services from April 2018 through September 2021.
Lead Service Line Replacement Reimbursement Program; contact Lead Help at 412-255-8987, via email to LeadHelp@pgh2o.com, or visit our website at lead.pgh2o.com/leadreimbursement.
Additional Assistance Programs
In addition to our direct programs available through Dollar Energy Fund, additional assistance programs are available through other agencies that help to further reduce the financial burden of utility bills. These include the ALCOSAN Clean Water Assistance Fund, the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), and the Allegheny County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP).
To learn more about our customer assistance programs, visit pgh2o.com/cap to review the information online or print a pdf version of our flyer (available in Chinese, Spanish, and Tigrinya). To enroll, call Dollar Energy Fund at 866-762-2348 or contact PGH2O Cares at 412-255-2457 or cares@pgh2o.com.
