The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) can help pay overdue water or sewer bills. Eligible households have until Friday, March 15, to apply.
The LIHWAP program pays for overdue water and sewer bills, including back charges and fees associated with the outstanding balance. In addition, the program may be able to provide a one-time future payment. Payments are made directly to water or sewer providers.
Eligible persons are customers of a public drinking water or wastewater utility in Vermont. In addition, the gross household income must be below 60% of the state median income based on household size. For a household of four, this would be $66,396. Renters are eligible for this program.
To apply, the completed application and current water/sewer bill must be mailed to: Economic Services Division, Application & Document Processing Center, 280 State Drive, Waterbury, VT 05671. The application can be found at bit.ly/752-water or by calling 800-339-6433.
This program is administered by the Vermont Department of Children and Families (DCF) using funding provided by the federal government during the Covid-19 pandemic. So far, the program has paid over half a million dollars in water and sewer bills, and there are still funds remaining. However, all funds must be spent by the end of March, or they will be returned to the federal government.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.