The Ohio Department of Development and The Breathing Association is helping income-eligible Ohioans with water and wastewater assistance. The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) started in October 2021 and runs through September 2023.
The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) Can help:
- Income 175% of Federal Poverty Guidelines
- Utilities must be in disconnect status, shut off, in need of payment to transfer or establish new service
- Maximum amount for bill payment assistance is up to $750 for water, up to $750 for wastewater/sewage or $1500 for water and wastewater combine
“Sometimes it helps to keep people in their homes because the water bill can be tied to your lease and if you don’t pay it you can be evicted,” Director of Government Programs for the Breathing Association Susan Spiert said. “That can put families out on the street. So, if we can pay the bill, they can stay in their homes.”
Spiert said in 2022, the program has helped pay water bills for 555 Central Ohio Families.
Columbus mom of four, Kiersten Clardy said The Breathing Association helped get her water turned back on this month.
“I am in a rental property and the bill was in my landlord’s name,” Clardy said. “I didn’t realize the bill had gotten so high. I really needed some assistance because at the time, I was attending school, a trades training and didn’t have any income coming in.”
Clardy said she owed $400.