Illinois Valley Economic Development Corporation announces the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)
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LIHWAP is available for income qualified households beginning Dec. 1
Stephanie Stahlhut, Executive Director for the Illinois Valley Economic Development Corporation as administrator of the Household Water Assistance Program in Calhoun, Greene, Jersey and Macoupin counties is pleased to announce that funds are available to assist income-eligible households with their water and wastewater assistance.
The program began December 1, 2021 for all income-eligible households at risk of being disconnected from water and/or wastewater sewer accounts. Applications will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis through May 31, 2022, on the same application as Energy Assistance (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP)) for Program Year 2022. Benefits are only available once for water and once for wastewater/sewer, per household, from December 1, 2021 through August 31, 2023 or as funds are available. Households with high arrearages or at risk of being disconnected are encouraged to apply.
Households must be at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level to receive a benefit from the Energy Assistance (LIHEAP and PIPP) and Water Assistance (LIHWAP) Programs. The Water Assistance program is categorically eligible with LIHEAP and PIPP so if you qualify for Energy Assistance you automatically qualify for the Water Assistance Program if you are at risk of being disconnected. As of Dec. 1, there will be an option to accept a one-time payment to your water and wastewater utility providers. The 30-day income guidelines for Energy Assistance are based on Federal Poverty Guidelines, State Median Income and the number of persons living in the household. The guidelines are as follows: 1-$2,147, 2-$2,903, 3-$3,660, 4-$4,417. Go to [Agency website] to know income limits for households with 5 members and more.
The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) provides one-time benefits to income eligible homeowners and renters to help with water and wastewater bills, reconnection of water service, as well as water bill arrearages.
Applications will be taken over the phone at all locations. Households will have the option to drop documents off, text, email, upload documents directly to the application, mail or fax documentation to complete all applications.
In addition to applying for LIHEAP, which requires proof of gross income from all household members for the prior 30-day period beginning with the date of application and proof of Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for all household members, at least one household member must be a US citizen.
Water Assistance (LIHWAP) also requires a copy of a current water and wastewater (sewer) bill or proof that water and wastewater are included in the rent and that the tenant is responsible for the water services.
Please call Illinois Valley Economic Development Corporation outreach locations and schedules, and for information on what documents are needed to apply and different ways to submit your application.
Phone number for Jersey County is: 618-495-9521 and their office hours are from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
