Appointments now being accepted for new LIHWAP program

Eligible residents can apply for water, and wastewater assistance

Today Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services began accepting appointments for the new Low Income Household Water Assistance Program, or LIHWAP.   LIHWAP is a temporary emergency water/wastewater program intended to help low income households and families during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Similar to the longstanding LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program), LIHWAP will assist Jefferson County households within 150% of the federal poverty guidelines, but with water and wastewater benefits instead of home energy.

LIHWAP is federally funded through the Consolidated Appropriations Act and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

LIHWAP will consist of two components:  1) the Crisis Component which provides assistance to eligible households experiencing a home water service crisis, and 2) the Subsidy Component which provides assistance to all eligible households regardless of the status of their water bill.

The Crisis Component operates from now through June 1, 2022, or until available funds have been expended.  The Subsidy Component will begin operating January 10, 2022, however pre-registration opportunities are available for elderly and those with disabilities who meet the other criteria listed below under eligibility.

"For many Louisvillians, the COVID-19 pandemic has made the challenges to make ends meet even greater to cover basic expenses such as heat, water and other utilities," said Tameka Laird, director of Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services (RCS).  "Our RCS team is honored to administer the new LIHWAP program as well as LIHEAP, to help ease the financial burden experienced by vulnerable families."

Appointments are required in advance to apply for LIHWAP to make a Drop-off appointment utilizing an automated appointment system described below. 

How to apply:
Jefferson County residents meeting eligibility can call the automated scheduler at 502-991-8391 or visit online at louisvilleky.cascheduler.com.

Eligibility for Crisis Component:

• Households within 150% of 2021-22 Federal Poverty Guidelines, and
• Louisville Water/MSD account in arrears, or
• Active payment plan due to arrears, or
• Received a past due or disconnect notice, or
• Water service has been disconnected.

Eligibility for Pre-registration of Subsidy Component:

• Households within 150% of 2021-22 Federal Poverty Guidelines regardless of the status of their water bill, and
• Households including elderly individuals (60 years or older) or persons with disabilities who receive a fixed income (Social Security, SSI, pension or Black Lung benefits).

Applicants who meet the criteria for the Crisis Component will also be processed for the Subsidy Pre-registration.  Starting Jan. 10, all income households in Jefferson County can apply for the LIHWAP Subsidy Component.

 Documentation:

• Proof of Social Security Number or Permanent Residence card (Green Card) for each member of the household.
• Proof of all household’s (all members) income from the preceding month. All individuals 18 or over in the household with no income -- and no way to document that status such as a Food Stamp Award letter -- must have a Proof of No Income Form completed prior to applying for benefits. These forms are available at the LIHWAP Drop Box locations, or online at louisvilleky.gov/LIHEAP.
• Include most current Louisville Water Company bill and/or MSD bill
• Proof of arrearage, payment plan due to arrearage, past due, or disconnect notice for the Crisis Component
• Completed and signed LIHWAP Application form and Family Member Profile form downloaded at gov/LIHEAP or found at the LIHWAP office Drop boxes. 

Copies of LIHWAP documentation should be dropped off at the LIHWAP site you select, on the day of your appointment.  Applicants will be contacted by LIHWAP staff within 72 hours (3 business days) of the appointment time.

For the Crisis Component, households can receive assistance for the minimum needed to alleviate the water and wastewater crisis up to $800.  Households can reapply until they reached the maximum benefit. For the Subsidy Component, the benefit range is between $50 - $400, depending on household size and type, income level and other criteria.

Payments for LIHWAP will be made directly to the vendors (i.e. Louisville Water Company, MSD).

Louisville Water is reminding customers who may still have an outstanding balance, to take advantage of the Drops of Kindness Program, which offers flexible, no-interest payment plans and additional help from community agencies through the Louisville Water Foundation.  For more information, visit https://louisvillewater.com/DropsofKindness or call 502-583-6610.

“The pandemic highlighted the need for ongoing assistance to help customers in a stressful time,” said Dave Vogel, Executive Vice President for Louisville Water. “This new federal funding is another opportunity for residents to get help for their water and wastewater bill. We appreciate Louisville Metro’s partnership in launching this program.”

The LIHEAP Crisis program which provides heating assistance will begin on Jan. 10, 2022 and appointments will begin being accepted late December utilizing the same appointment system as LIHWAP. 

Both programs are administered locally by Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services (RCS). 

For more descriptions about the LIHWAP drop box locations, income eligibility and other instructions, call the automated LIHWAP information line at 991-8391 or visit louisvilleky.cascheduler.com.  Residents may also visit https://louisvilleky.gov/LIHEAP for more details.

Eligibility for all programs is subject to program calendars, fund availability, appointment availability, verifiable household income and family size.  Clients are served on a first-come, first-served basis.

Individuals who require more information can contact Metro311 by simply dialing 311 or (502) 574-5000, email [email protected],  tweet @LouMetro311, Web: louisvilleky.gov/tell311, or download the free Mobile Louisville Metro 311 app from the website. Residents can also call Metro United Way’s 2-1-1 help referral service.

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