Pennsylvania is again accepting applications for a pandemic-era federal program aimed at helping residents pay overdue water bills and avoid shutoffs, but the grants aren’t expected to be available for long.
The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) provides grants of up to $5,000 to homeowners or tenants with past-due bills. A maximum of $2,500 is devoted to basic water service, while the other half is designated for wastewater costs. The grants do not need to be repaid and go directly to water providers, such as the Philadelphia Water Department.
LIHWAP was created through the American Rescue Plan Act, and the state stopped fielding applications in October 2022 when an initial $43.2 million in funding ran out. Officials said the commonwealth received an additional federal allocation to reopen the program.
Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration said LIHWAP, which reopened Monday, will continue taking applications until Aug. 11 or when the new money is spent, whichever comes first.
Beneficiaries must have an unpaid water balance and meet income qualifications, which include a $20,385 cap for individuals and $41,625 for a family of four.
Residents can apply online at www.compass.state.pa.us; request an application by calling 877-395-8930; or fill one out in-person at a county assistance office. In Philadelphia, the locations include 801 Market St., 4109 Frankford Ave., 301 E. Chelten Ave., 5740 Market St., 5201 Old York Road, 219 E. Lehigh Ave., 5070 Parkside Ave., 2701 N. Broad St., and 1163 S. Broad St.
During LIHWAP’s first round, which lasted more than 10 months, about 43,000 households statewide participated, with $13 million devoted to Philadelphia Water Department customers, officials said.
