Pittsburgh, PA… Today, eligible customers of the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) are encouraged to apply for the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). These emergency grants, that do not need to be repaid, can reduce past due water and wastewater charges and support those facing the shut-off of their water service.
LIHWAP re-opens today, July 10th and will remain open through August 11th or until all funds are used.
“We thank Governor Shapiro and the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) for reopening LIHWAP and making assistance available to our customers struggling with past due balances,” said PWSA CEO Will Pickering. “Since January 2022, PWSA distributed more than $1.6 million of LIHWAP funding to nearly 1,500 customers. We remain hopeful that a permanent LIHWAP program will be established to provide this support on an ongoing basis.”
LIHWAP was created in January 2022 by DHS and funded through the American Rescue Plan Act and Consolidated Appropriations Act. It was temporarily put in place to help households with their water and wastewater bills due to hardships caused by COVID-19. Now, with remaining funding available, eligible PWSA customers can receive one-time crisis grants for a limited time.
Who Is eligible?
PWSA customers with unpaid water or wastewater charges could be eligible for one-time relief through LIHWAP. Receiving utility assistance through another program does not prevent a household from receiving a LIHWAP grant provided all other eligibility criteria is met. If a household has previously received a LIHWAP grant, they can only receive another LIHWAP grant for a different service. For example; if you have already received a LIHWAP grant to satisfy unpaid water charges, you will be able to apply for a LIHWAP grant to satisfy any unpaid wastewater charges.
PWSA customers may qualify for LIHWAP if they rent or own their home, have an overdue water or wastewater bill that they are responsible to pay, and if the household is within the income limit for their household size. Grant checks are issued directly to PWSA and are applied to the customer’s account.
Families must meet the following income requirements.
How to Apply?
If you think you may benefit from this assistance, now is the time to apply. Applications are processed on a first-come-first-served basis and can be submitted online or at the Allegheny County Assistance Office. Eligible customers must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. Renters responsible for paying their water or wastewater charges are also eligible.
- Online: www.compass.state.pa.us
- Paper applications: You can download a paper application, print it, fill it out, and return it to the Allegheny County Assistance Office, located at 301 5th Avenue. You can also fill out an application at the county office in-person. Applications are available in English and Spanish.
- Phone: Request an application by calling the Statewide Customer Service Center at 877-395-8930 or call PA Relay at 711 for the hearing impaired.
Applicants will need to provide the names of people in the household, along with their dates of birth, social security numbers, proof of income, and a copy of a recent water bill. Learn more about LIHWAP at www.dhs.pa.gov/waterhelp.
No one should have to choose between paying their water bill and other essential expenses. PWSA supports our most vulnerable customers by offering a variety of customer assistance programs including a Bill Discount Program and a Winter Shut-Off Moratorium.
“We are grateful for the extension of the LIHWAP program and encourage all potentially eligible PWSA customers to apply right away,” said Julie Mechling, Director of Customer Service. “Our customer assistance programs provide customers with additional support, and our PGH2O Cares team is ready to assist you with enrollment.”
If you need help determining which program is right for you and how to apply, call (412) 255-2457 and talk with a PGH2O Cares team member or visit www.pgh2o.com/CAP.
