OKDHS invites public participation in Low Income Home Water Assistance Program hearing
OKLAHOMA CITY (July 29, 2021) – Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS) is seeking public comment about the federally-funded Low Income Home Water Assistance Program, known as LIHWAP. A public hearing will be held virtually on Zoom at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021.
To submit questions in advance of the Aug. 4 meeting, please email cpmacademies.
LIHWAP is a new, one-time program that was created and funded under the Consolidated Appropriations Act and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and provides funds to assist low-income households with water and wastewater bills.
OKDHS is seeking LIHWAP partnership with every water provider in Oklahoma to ensure all Oklahomans who need this assistance have access to it. Water providers who are interested in learning more may email Liheap2.
LIHWAP components:
- Applications for the Water Crisis Assistance Program are accepted year round for:
- households already enrolled in a means-tested program (such as SNAP) and
- are elderly, disabled or with children under 5, and
- have a verifiable water crisis and
- the drinking water or waste water company is a participating provider.
- The non-emergency water assistance program provides assistance with a one-time payment per fiscal year to the water or waste water company for the household. Open enrollment begins each year during the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program open enrollment, which is usually December and June.
LIHWAP eligibility requirements are based on income, household size, available resources and responsibility for payment of home water. Households are not eligible for LIHWAP if the utility bill is paid directly to the water provider by someone who does not reside at the residence. The drinking water or waste water company also must be a participating provider.
Maximum monthly gross income allowed:
Household Size Allowable Monthly Gross Income
1 $ 1,383
2 $ 1,868
3 $ 2,353
4 $ 2,839
5 $ 3,324
6 $ 3,809
7 $ 4,295
8 $ 4,780
Public comments about LIHWAP should be emailed to Liheap2 or submitted by letter to Oklahoma Human Services, Attention LIHWAP, P.O. Box 25352, Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0352.
OKDHS is seeking LIHWAP partnership with every water provider in Oklahoma to ensure all Oklahomans who need this assistance have access to it. Water providers who are interested in learning more may email Liheap2.