Get Help Paying Your Water and Sewer Bill

New Statewide Assistance Program to Get Help Paying Your Water/Sewer Bill

The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is available statewide and provides Maryland households with financial relief toward water and/or wastewater bills. If you live in an eligible households, you may receive up to $2,000 to get help paying your water/sewer bills. LIHWAP funding is limited, and applications will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.

You can apply for LIHWAP assistance online using the consumer portal.

If you are unable to apply online, you may request an application be mailed to you through the service hotline at 1-800-332-6347 or by calling your local Department of Social Services or Office of Home Energy Programs office.

Printable paper application are also available.

You can connect with LIHWAP Monday-Friday, 8:30AM-5PM by calling their customer service hotline at 1-800-332-6347 or by calling your local Department of Social Services or Office of Home Energy Programs office.

Need help right now from WSSC?

WSSCWater is committed to making your water and sewer bills more affordable. They’ve enhanced their programs and pay plans to provide financial assistance to more residents. Eligible residential customers may request a pay plan to make their water and sewer bills more affordable.

Get started by calling 301-206-4001. Our Customer Service Advisors will help you determine the programs that are best for your situation. Because our programs are administered by different agencies, there may be separate applications and eligibility requirements for each assistance program. All programs require that you be a WSSC Water customer receiving a bill in your name. You will need to present picture identification and proof that your income falls within an established threshold.

Bill adjustments are available to residential customers once every three years under certain circumstances. WSSC Water can work with you if you need help with:

• Leaks: Leaks result in higher water bills that can cause financial strain. Homeowners who have been responsible for their property and have fixed leaks that caused a high bill may be eligible for an adjustment. For more information see our Household Leak Detection page.
• CAP-approved customers: CAP-approved customers may be eligible to receive a high bill adjustment removing 100% of the excess water and sewer usage for one billing cycle in any three-year period. See more about CAP below.
• Other high bill causes: Other adjustments for unexpectedly high bills may be available, including for medical reasons.

WSSC Water offering new payment plans

WSSC Water has partnered with Promise to offer Affordable, Flexible and Interest Free payment plans. This new financial assistance program allows residential and commercial customers with a past-due balance of $50 or more to establish a payment plan. By establishing a payment plan for past-due water and sewer bills and staying current with the plan, customers will avoid late fees and possible water service turnoffs. Learn more about the Affordable, Flexible and Interest Free payment plans offered by WSSC.

PipeER provides emergency loans to finance the replacement of leaking service lines on residential property that connect from WSSC Water’s service connection to the home. The program provides $100,000 each fiscal year to customers in need of emergency funds, on a first-come, first-served basis. This program is administered by the WSSC Federal Credit Union in partnership with WSSC Water.

Need help repairing your water service line?

Customers are eligible to receive a maximum $5,000 loan, paid directly to a WSSC Water-licensed plumber. For more information on the program and application process, contact the WSSC Federal Credit Union at 240-452-8008 or online at wsscfcu.org/pipeER.

*Tenant-occupied properties require the owner’s written authorization to establish a pay plan, which requires completion of the Owner Authorization Form.

Need long time financial assistance?

The Water Fund was established by WSSC Water employees in 1994. Funded by donations from WSSC Water customers, employees and community partners, customers can make multiple requests for assistance with water and sewer bills, up to $500 per year. For more information, see the Water Fund page.

The Water Fund is administered by The Salvation Army in your county:

Montgomery County Salvation Army
20021 Aircraft Drive, Germantown, MD 20874
Tel. No: (301) 515-5354
Fax No: (301) 869-3347