The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) held a webinar August 12 in coordination with NACWA and the National Energy & Utility Affordability Coalition on the rollout of the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) – the program being stood up by HHS to implement the $1.138 Billion in federal assistance provided for water and wastewater customers through the federal COVID-19 relief packages.

These funds will ultimately flow to utilities through the established Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) network. HHS hopes that funds begin being distributed to eligible customer accounts starting next month. Therefore, the webinar was a critical step to help explain to water and wastewater providers how the program will work.

Nearly 2,000 participants registered for the webinar, underscoring the level of interest and outstanding questions that utilities have regarding how to secure funds for their customers.

NACWA urges interested utilities to review HHS’ webinar slides here and to engage with your state LIHEAP implementing office and your local Community Action Agencies that will be helping implement the program. HHS indicated they will also be posting a recording and a “FAQ” document to address questions received during the webinar when they have it ready.

Contact Kristina Surfus, NACWA Managing Director of Government Affairs, to discuss.