UPDATE: The deadline to apply for the LIHWAP program has been extended to Friday, August 18.
On January 4, 2022, the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) opened in Pennsylvania to relieve water and wastewater unaffordability amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. This temporary federal emergency grant program:
- Restored water and wastewater service to 760 homes;
- Prevented 10,200 families from having their water and wastewater services disconnected; and
- Served over 38,000 Pennsylvania families in total.
By October 2022, the $43.2 million LIHWAP budget was fully spent and the program ended, with no plans or promises of ongoing funding. When the federal government reallocated unspent LIHWAP funds from other states, Pennsylvania was first in line – and will receive approximately $5 million in additional funds to temporarily reopen the program!
Starting Monday, July 10, the program will begin accepting new applications.
- Water and wastewater customers will be able to apply through Compass or paper application.
- Grants up to $2,500 for water and $2,500 for wastewater/sewer will be provided to eligible customers.
- To qualify, an applicant must:
- Have household income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level (based on 2022 poverty guidelines).
- Be responsible for paying your water or wastewater service (may be a renter or a homeowner).
- Have a past-due water or wastewater bill, received a termination notice, or were already terminated.
- Did not previously receive a grant for the same provider and same service.
- For example, if you received grant for Smith Water Authority for your water service, you cannot receive a grant for your water service again. However, you may receive a second LIHWAP grant for your wastewater / sewer service.
- The program has very limited additional funding and will only be open until August 18 – or until funding runs out!
