Low Income Household Water Assistance Program

Illustrations of sink, washing machine, hose, bathtub, and toilet

The federal program deadline to apply for water and sewer bill assistance under the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) has passed, and the program is no longer accepting applications.

LIHWAP is a limited-term, federally funded program that offers assistance to help low-income households pay residential water and sewer bills and manage their residential water utility costs. LIHWAP was established by Congress in December 2020, and the program sunset on March 31, 2024.

The Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) is the designated administering agency for LIHWAP in California.

In May 2024, CSD is distributing remaining LIHWAP water assistance funds to provide a “supplemental benefit” to eligible, previously-served LIHWAP beneficiaries. For more information about the supplemental benefit visit:

LIHWAP Supplemental Benefit - Frequently Asked Questions

Water System Direct Payment Enrollment

In order for a household to receive a LIHWAP benefit their water or sewer utility system must be enrolled in a LIHWAP direct payment agreement.

LIHWAP Direct Payment Interest Form

How can LIHWAP help water and wastewater systems?

The following video produced U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides information for water and wastewater systems about LIHWAP to build awareness and encourage participation.

Water or wastewater systems seeking additional information on LIHWAP can review the Water and Wastewater System Enrollment Webinar.

LIHWAP RESOURCES

Fact Sheet: Water Bill Assistance Program Extended
LIHWAP Water Utility Enrollment Status
Updated 2021 LIHWAP State Plan (Updated as of April 10, 2024. Download and view in a PDF reader to access all content.)
2023 Final LIHWAP Program Guidelines (Updated as of April 10, 2024)
LIHWAP Local Service Provider Allocations and Expenditures (As of June 30, 2023)
Press Release: California Expands Eligibility for Low-Income Water Bill Assistance to Include Relief for Current Bills (Released March 15, 2023)
2023 LIHWAP Program Guidelines (Final as of March 7, 2023)
LIHWAP Local Service Provider Allocations and Expenditures (As of December 31, 2022)
Revised LIHWAP Program Guidelines (Released November 18, 2022)
LIHWAP Program Guidelines (Updated July 27, 2022)
LIHWAP Local Service Provider Allocations (As of June 30, 2022)
February 23, 2022 LIHWAP Public Meeting Written and Verbal Comments & Questions (Issued April 11, 2022)
2021 LIHWAP State Plan (Final as of May 5, 2023. Download and view in a PDF reader to access all content.)
2021 LIHWAP State Plan (Final as of August 6, 2021. Download and view in a PDF reader to access all content.)
Draft 2021 LIHWAP State Plan (Released July 26, 2021. Download and view in a PDF reader to access all content.)
2021 LIHWAP State Plan Public Meeting Written and Verbal Comments
Income Eligibility Guidelines
LIHWAP Model State Plan
LIHWAP Program Page - U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Community Services
Federal LIHWAP Laws & Regulations
Assembly Bill 135 (Chapter 85, Statutes of 2021)

Events

CSD held a remote Public Meeting on November 29, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. to provide an overview of the Revised LIHWAP Program Guidelines.

CSD held a remote public meeting on July 29, 2021, to receive input on the California LIHWAP State Plan.

For assistance or questions regarding this meeting, please email LIHWAP@csd.ca.gov.

Sign up for LIHWAP email updates

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Low Income Household Water Assistance Program

Water System Direct P​ayment En​​​​rollment​​​

LIHWAP RESOURCES

Events

LIHWAP

Water System Direct Payment Enrollment