Need assistance paying your water bill? A new NC program could help.

A new program being administered by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services could offer relief to people struggling to pay water bills during the ongoing pandemic.

The department announced last week that the state had been awarded $38 million in federal funding to establish a new water assistance program for households affected by the pandemic.

Eligible households can now apply for assistance in paying their bill through the temporary emergency program, which is called the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP).

“Due to the pandemic and its impact on our economy, many households are struggling to maintain their water service,” Tara Myers, NCDHHS deputy secretary for employment, inclusion and economic stability, said in the announcement. “The LIHWAP program will help families in North Carolina keep their water running, a basic human need that’s critical for good sanitation and better health.”

Do you qualify for the program? How do you apply? When does the program end?

The News & Observer has answers.

What is LIHWAP?

The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is a federal program that provides funds to assist low-income households in paying their water and wastewater bills.

▪ The program was specifically created to assist low-income households that pay a high proportion of their household income for drinking water and wastewater services.

▪ LIHWAP aims to provide continuity of water and wastewater services for customers who have, or are at risk or in danger of, having those services disconnected.

The federal LIHWAP program is available to states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, U.S. territories and federally and state-recognized Indian tribes and tribal organizations that received Low Income Household Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) grants — a separate relief program that helps eligible households pay their heating bills — in fiscal year 2021.

▪ LIHWAP is funded by the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act and the American Rescue Plan Act.

States apply for funding through the federal government, then administer the program at the state-level once they receive funding.

▪ NCDHHS announced on Nov. 30 that North Carolina had been awarded $38 million for the LIHWAP program this year.

Who is eligible for LIHWAP in NC?

The following qualifications make households in North Carolina automatically eligible for LIHWAP if their water services have been cut off or are in danger of being cut off:

▪ The household currently receives Food and Nutrition Services (FNS).

▪ The household currently receives Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

▪ The household currently receives Work First services.

▪ The household received Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) services between Oct. 1, 2020, and Sept. 30, 2021.

Households that do not meet those qualifications, but are still at risk of having their water disconnected, may still be eligible for the program, but will need to apply.

▪ Applications for those households in North Carolina are open as of Wednesday, Dec. 1.

Other households that are not at risk of having their water disconnected are eligible to apply for LIHWAP beginning Jan. 1. Those households must have at least one U.S. citizen, or have a non-citizen and meet the following qualifications:

▪ Have income equal to or less than 150% of the federal poverty level.

▪ Have household services that are disconnected, in jeopardy of disconnection or have a current outstanding bill.

▪ Be responsible for the water bill.

How do I apply for help with my water bill in NC?

To apply for LIHWAP in North Carolina, use ePASS — an online platform operated by NCDHHS where individuals and families can apply for benefits and services in the state.

▪ Visit epass.nc.gov.

▪ Once on the homepage, click the box that says “Apply for Energy Assistance.”

▪ Follow the on-screen prompts to complete your application.

You can also download and print a copy of the LIHWAP application using the ePASS website, then submit it to your local county Department of Social Services.

When does the program end?

NCDHHS said in their announcement of the program that households can apply for LIHWAP through Sept. 30, 2023, or until funds are exhausted.

More information on assistance in NC

For more information on the program and eligibility, you can visit the state’s LIHWAP website at ncdhhs.gov/divisions/social-services/energy-assistance.