TDHCA Press Room

New water assistance program now available through TDHCA, state partners

Low-Income Texans needing help to pay water or wastewater bills can now seek assistance through the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). TDHCA, in partnership with 36 statewide organizations, will deliver approximately $93 million in LIHWAP funds to eligible households.

For many low-income households in Texas, water affordability needs have been significantly exacerbated by the COVID-19 public health crisis. While some areas of the state have instituted temporary moratoria on shutoffs, water consumers have accumulated debts that have serious economic consequences not only for household consumers, but also for public water utilities.

While water costs and accessibility vary from region to region, LIHWAP provides critical statewide emergency support on behalf of low-income households so that vulnerable low-income households are not forced to choose between paying for water services and other necessities like housing, food and medicine.

TDHCA and its LIHWAP subrecipients named the following two priorities for the funding:

1. Restoration of services to households that have had drinking water and/or wastewater services disconnected due to past due payments
2. Prevention of disconnection for households at risk of disconnection due to past due payments

Each household must complete an application, be income eligible (at or below 150% of the federal poverty level), and be composed of at least one U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, or Qualified Alien.

TDHCA does not provide direct LIHWAP service to clients. For assistance and to find the contact information of the agency in your area that provides LIHWAP assistance, please refer to the Help for Texans website at https://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/texans.htm, click on “Utility Bill Payment Help,” type in your City or County, and click “Find Help”.

You may also call toll free 877-399-8939 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

• If calling from a landline:
  • You will automatically be directed with the service provider in your county. If you receive a voicemail message please listen to all of the options in order to connect you with the best available option.
• If using a cell phone:
  • You will be connected to a service provider based on your cell phone’s area code which may or may not be the correct service provider in your county. In this case, you will be connected to the correct county after speaking with an agent. If you receive a voicemail message please listen to all of the options in order to connect you with the best available option.