LIHWAP

Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)

Supplemental Payment

The customer application period for LIHWAP has ended and the program is no longer accepting applications for assistance. The California Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) will utilize remaining water assistance funds to provide a “supplemental payment” to eligible, previously served LIHWAP beneficiaries.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Q: What is the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)?

   A: LIHWAP is a limited-term, federally-funded program that offers assistance to help low-income households pay residential water and sewer bills and manage their residential utility costs. For general information, visit www.csd.ca.gov/lihwap.

2. Q: What is the LIHWAP supplemental payment?

   A: An additional payment credited to a household that has already been deemed eligible and received a LIHWAP benefit payment.

3. Q: Is my household eligible to receive the payment?

   A: A household is eligible to receive a supplemental payment if they have already received a LIHWAP benefit during the program period (June 2022 – March 2024).

   • Excluding:
     • Households who pay their water and sewer bill as part of their rent. (Due to federal program rules, landlord participation was required for the original benefit; program close-out timeframes do not allow sufficient time for the steps involved in landlord compliance requirements for the supplemental benefit.)
     • Households whose water service provider did not extend their water provider direct payment agreement (contract).
     • Households who switched water providers after receiving their previous LIHWAP benefit.

4. Q: How do I know if I will receive a supplemental payment?

   A: If you are eligible, you will receive a customer notification letter detailing the benefit in May 2024. The payment will be applied to your account in the same manner the first LIHWAP payment was applied.

5. Q: Do I need to apply for the supplemental payment?

   A: No, customers do NOT need to apply for the supplemental payment. The payment will be automatically sent to your water provider.

6. Q: What is the amount of the payment I will receive?

   A: The payment amount is $XXX for all eligible customers.

7. Q: How did CSD identify the payment amount?

   A: CSD divided remaining LIHWAP water assistance funds by the number of eligible, previously served households to determine a fixed, supplemental benefit for LIHWAP beneficiaries.

8. Q: When will I receive the supplemental payment?

   A: Payments will be issued May 2024. It may take 1-2 billing cycles for the credit to appear on your bill/account. If you believe you are an eligible customer and the second benefit has not been applied to your account within 45 days of receiving the benefit notification letter from CSD, please contact your water provider.

9. Q: What if the supplemental payment if more than my current balance?

   A: In most cases, if the supplemental payment amount is more than your current balance, a credit will be placed on your bill for future payments. However, in instances where a water provider is unable to carry forward a credit, your account will be credited the amount owed at the time the benefit is received and the remaining funds will be returned to the state.

10. Q: How many times can I receive a supplemental payment?

    A: This is a one-time supplemental payment as the program ended on March 31, 2024. This payment is in addition to your original LIHWAP benefit.

11. Q: Why am I excluded if I pay my water and sewer bill as part of my rent?

    A: Federal program rules require landlord participation in the program, which includes a landlord’s signed commitment to apply the LIHWAP benefit amount to tenant’s future rent. Because the program has ended, the state has limited to no ability to oversee landlord application of the benefit to future tenant rent.

12. Q: Who can I contact if I have questions about the supplemental payment?

    A: If you believe you are an eligible customer and the second benefit has not been applied to your account within 45 days of receiving the benefit notification letter from CSD, please contact your water provider. For any other questions, please contact the CSD’s Call Center at 866-675-6623.