Household water assistance
December 15, 2021
Funds are available to assist income-eligible households with their water and waste water assistance through Illinois Valley Economic Development Corporation in Calhoun, Greene, Jersey and Macoupin counties.
The program began Dec. 1, 2021, for all income-eligible households at risk of being disconnected from water and/or wastewater sewer account. Applications will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis through May 31, 2022, on the same application as Energy Assistance (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP)) for Program Year 2022. Benefits are only available once for water and once for wastewater/sewer, per household, from Dec. 1, 2021, through Aug. 31, 2023, or as funds are available. Households with high arrearages or at risk of being disconnected are encouraged to apply.
Households must be at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level to receive a benefit from the Energy Assistance (LIHEAP and PIPP) and Water Assistance (LIHWAP) Programs. The Water Assistance program is categorically eligible with LIHEAP and PIPP so if you qualify for Energy Assistance you automatically qualify for the Water Assistance Program if you are at risk of being disconnected. As of Dec. 1 there is an option to accept a one-time payment to your water and wastewater utility providers.
The 30-day income guidelines for Energy Assistance are based on Federal Poverty Guidelines, State Median Income and the number of persons living in the household. The guidelines are as follows: 1-$2,147, 2-$2,903, 3-$3,660, 4-$4,417. Go to the agency website to know income limits for households with five members and more.
Applications will be taken over the phone at all locations. Households will have the option to drop documents off, text, email, upload documents directly to the application, mail or fax documentation to complete all applications. At least one household member must be a U.S. citizen. Call to find out what documents are needed to apply.
Macoupin County: 217-839-4431; office hours 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday.
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