Low Income Household Water Assistance Program
For a limited time, customers who meet maximum income limits may be able to receive financial assistance from the California Department of Community Services & Development’s Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) to help pay their water bills. LIHWAP is a federally funded program that offers a one-time benefit of up to $15,000 for bills accrued during any time frame.
Am I eligible?
Eligibility for Cal Water customers may vary based on income, place of residence, and other factors. Your household may qualify if:
- Your total household gross income is at or below 60% of the State Median Income (see table), or a household member is a current recipient of CalFresh or CalWORKs.
- You have a water or wastewater bill.
- Renters: If your water and/or wastewater bill is included in your rental payment, the application will require an additional step: You must complete an agreement with your landlord to apply the benefit amount.
2023 LIHWAP Income Eligibility
| People In Household | Monthly Income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $2,700.17 |
| 2 | $3,531.00 |
| 3 | $4,361.83 |
| 4 | $5,192.75 |
| 5 | $6,023.59 |
| People In Household | Monthly Income |
|---|---|
| 6 | $6,854.43 |
| 7 | $7,010.21 |
| 8 | $7,166.00 |
| 9 | $7,321.78 |
| 10* | $7,477.56 |
*For families/households with more than 10 people, add $155.78 for each additional person.
How do I apply?
You must contact a local community-based organization to receive a LIHWAP application form. Then, complete and mail in the application form according to the local LIHWAP agency’s instructions. Local agencies (along with other support services) for Cal Water service areas can be found by county here:
You can also enter your ZIP code on the Department of Community Services & Development web site to find a list of agencies that provide LIHWAP and additional services.
Source: California Department of Community Services & Development
Additional Assistance
If you are struggling to pay your water bills, Cal Water offers a number of customer assistance programs to help. Visit our We’re Here to Help page for more information.