Bill Assistance for Low-Income Residents
Washington Water is helping those in need of financial support pay their water bills through the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), which is administered by the Washington State Department of Commerce and federally funded. Washington Water customers who meet maximum income limits are eligible to receive a one-time benefit of up to $2,500 per household for past-due bills accrued during any time frame.
For a limited time, Washington Water residential customers can check their eligibility and apply to receive LIHWAP assistance based on income, place of residence, and other factors. Applications must be received and submitted through local agencies listed here by service district. Recipients of Washington’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) are automatically income-qualified for LIHWAP assistance.
"We are always here to help our customers, and we are encouraging eligible residents to take advantage of the federally funded LIHWAP," said Washington Water General Manager Matt Brown. "Our top priority is to ensure that our customers have reliable access to safe, clean, and affordable water service and we’re here to help our low-income customers receive this financial assistance to help pay their water bills."
Washington Water recognizes that customers sometimes have difficulty making ends meet and offers several ways to help customers manage their water bill, including long-term payment arrangements or bill assistance.
- Alternative Payment Arrangements: If customers have a past-due balance that’s difficult to manage, they may be able to split payments among several months to pay off the full balance.
- Payment Extensions: If customers need more time to pay their bill, they may be able to defer payment over time.
For more information on LIHWAP, please visit the LIHWAP page. For more information on Washington Water’s other customer assistance programs, please visit the assistance page.
About LIHWAP
The new federal Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) provides financial assistance to low-income Washingtonians to help manage their residential water utility costs. Established by Congress in December 2020, this federally funded program helps low-income households pay down their residential water or wastewater bills. The Washington State Department of Commerce is the designated administering agency for LIHWAP in Washington. Through LIHWAP, the Department of Commerce works with a network of community-based local service providers to help low-income households pay down their residential water and wastewater utility bills. For more information about how LIHWAP can help your household pay down your water or wastewater bills and how to apply visit Paying My Water Bills.