DES Announces the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program

The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) announced today the launch of the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), to provide financial relief to families for water and wastewater bills to avoid shutoffs or disconnections. Eligible households statewide can receive up to $1,800 in water assistance, depending on their need. Assistance includes water service restoration, past-due obligations,
and future bills.

“With the addition of the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program, DES is better equipped to comprehensively help families meet their household needs,” said DES Director Michael Wisehart. “The need for rental, utility and water assistance happens concurrently.

Through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, we have been able to distribute millions to help families keep roofs over their heads and ensure the continuity of their energy services. Now, we have an additional resource to assist with their water and wastewater bills until they are able to attain self-sufficiency.”

LIHWAP is a temporary emergency assistance program created by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, with additional funding by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Arizona was awarded nearly $20 million to assist households through September 30, 2023.
Eligibility

To be eligible for LIHWAP, an applicant must meet the following criteria:

• Be (or a member of the household is) a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen
  • Qualified non-citizens include lawful permanent residents, asylees, refugees, and
    certain individuals with parole status, those whose deportations are being
    withheld, those who have been granted conditional entry (prior to April 1, 1980),
    individuals who are the victims of battery, Cuban/Haitain entrants, and victims of
    a severe form of trafficking
• Be a resident of Arizona at the time of application (demonstrated by a water bill for
  services within the state of Arizona)
• Have a household income at or below 60% of the state median income (for households
  of 8 or fewer members) OR have a household income at or below 150% of the federal
  poverty level (for households with more than 8 members)
• Have not received any other financial assistance for water services during the time
  period for which the applicant is seeking LIHWAP assistance
  Applications on behalf of households whose water services have been disconnected or are
  pending disconnection will be prioritized. The Department will also prioritize applications from
  households with members over the age of 60, under the age of five, have a disability, or whose
  average water bills exceed more than 5% of their monthly income.

How to Apply

You can apply for LIHWAP assistance safely and conveniently online using our portal. If you are
unable to apply online, you may apply by phone through our hotline at 1-833-453-2142 or by
downloading a paper application from our portal and mailing it to the address on the
application.

You will be required to provide the following documentation:

• Applicant’s photo ID
• Income documents that may include:
  • 1040 tax return, pay stubs, any other documents demonstrating income (unemployment benefits, Social Security benefits, etc.)
• Water and/or sewer bills
• Disconnection notice (if applicable)
• Lease agreement (if applicable)

Find additional information, review frequently asked questions and apply for LIHWAP by visiting
the website.