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1. What is the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program?

The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is a temporary federally funded program to provide bill-pay assistance for water and sewer bills in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The program is open to eligible households if the public water provider has a signed agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services and the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFACS).  The Athens-Clarke County Mayor & Commissioners signed the agreement in November 2021, making the ACC Public Utilities Department a vendor for LIHWAP.

2. How do I qualify for LIHWAP?

These funds will only be distributed to eligible customers that receive water services through public pipelines from a vendor (ACC Public Utilities Department) that has signed an agreement to participate in LIHWAP.  The Athens-Clarke County Mayor & Commissioners signed a participation agreement in November 2021 to quickly provide this bill-pay assistance opportunity to our residents.

• Have a total gross income at or below 60% of the State Median Income Guidelines for Georgia
• Be responsible for paying the cost of water for the household or be able to verify a water burden
• Be a US citizen or lawfully admitted immigrant

If you are determined ineligible, you will receive notification and documentation regarding the reason for denial.  

The PUD does not determine eligibility or the amount of assistance provided, set appointments for completing applications, or process applications.   Please contact Action, Inc. if you have questions regarding ineligibility.  

3. How do I apply for LIHWAP?

Local Community Action Agencies are responsible for administering the program.  The ACC Public Utilities Department does not accept applications, determine eligibility, or distribute payments.  Action, Inc. covers the Athens-Clarke County area.  

Customers must contact Action, Inc. to schedule an in-person appointment.  Currently, there is no online option for submitting a LIHWAP application.   

The following documents are required to complete the application:

• Proof of income for all individuals age 18 or older living in the home for the past 30 days
• Social Security cards for every person who lives in the home
• Most current water bill, which must be dated within 30 days of the appointment date
• Driver's license or state-issued ID for the applicant and all household members who are 60 years of age and older
• Verification of U.S. citizenship or immigration status 

Failure to bring the required documentation above may result in your appointment being rescheduled.  

See the informational flyer from Ninth District Opportunity for more information

4. Can I apply for LIHWAP through the ACC Public Utilities Department or Water Business Office?

No.  The PUD does not determine eligibility or the amount of assistance provided, set appointments for completing applications, or process applications.  For answers to questions not found on the ACC Public Utilities Department, please inquire with Action, Inc.

5. When can I apply for LIHWAP assistance?

The program is now open to Georgia residents.  The program prioritizes households and has a phased system for dispersing funds.  The temporary program will remain open until funds are depleted or until June 30, 2023, whichever occurs first.

PHASE	DATES	ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS
Phase 1	Through December 31, 2021	Households with past-due water bill balances
Phase 2	Begins January 3, 2022	Households with past-due water bill balances Household with elderly (60 years of age or older) members or with children five years of age and younger
Phase 3	Begins February 1, 2022	All other eligible residents

6. What do I need to bring to my appointment with Action, Inc. to apply for assistance?

Action, Inc. determines the information required for completing your application during your in-person appointment.  The following items are examples of documents you will need for your appointment:

• Proof of income for all individuals age 18 or older living in the home for the past 30 days.
• Social Security cards for every person who lives in the home.
• Most current water bill, which must be dated within 30 days o the appointment date.
• Driver's license or state-issued ID for the applicant and all household members who are 60 years of age and older
• Verification of U.S. citizenship or immigration status 
• Failure to bring the required documentation above may result in your appointment being rescheduled

 The ACC Public Utilities Department recommends contacting Action, Inc. prior to your appointment to confirm the items required.  

7. How much monetary assistance can I receive?

The amount of assistance is determined by household size, income, and composition.

• For households with a past due amount, the program will pay the entire past-due amount AND provide either a $200 or $300 benefit, depending on the household's income, toward the current water bill.
• For households with no current past-due amount, eligible households can expect to receive either a $200 or $300 benefit, depending on the household's income, toward the current water bill.

Payments can only be issued to the ACC Public Utilities Department (PUD) as credit towards the associated water account.  Payments cannot be made to individuals or households.

Households can apply only once per program year, which ends June 30, 2022.  If funds remain in LIHWAP on July 1, 2022, the program will continue and households can again request water bill-pay assistance.

The PUD does not determine eligibility or the amount of assistance provided, set appointments for completing applications, or process applications. While applying for assistance, please continue to pay your bill and/or make a payment arrangement with our customer support representatives.   An appointment with Action, Inc. for water assistance or a completed application does not guarantee processing or payment.

8. How long will it take to receive my benefits if I'm eligible?

Action, Inc. process LIHWAP benefits in the order received and processing times vary. The ACC Public Utilities Department (PUD) does not know the status of individual households' applications.  You must continue to pay your bill until benefits have been issued to ACC PUD to avoid an interruption in services and/or additional fees.  If you need to arrange for a payment plan, please contact our Water Business Office at 706-613-3500 and speak to a Customer Support Representative.    

9. How often can I apply for assistance from LIHWAP?

Households can apply only once per program year, which ends June 30, 2022.  If funds remain in LIHWAP on July 1, 2022, the program will continue and households can again request water bill-pay assistance. 

LIHWAP does not have a permanent or ongoing statutory authorization or appropriation beyond the current federal funding.  The full appropriations language from both the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act are available on the OCS website.

10. Can LIHWAP help with my energy bill?

No. LIHWAP assistance can only be used for drinking water or sewer services bill payments. For assistance with your energy bill, please inquire with Action, Inc. about the LIHEAP program.