You can also view this LIHWAP FAQ in Spanish.

What are LIHWAP benefits?

LIHWAP (Low Income Household Water Assistance Program) is a federally funded program designed to assist low-income households with paying their past due water and wastewater (sewer) bills.

For City of Chicago and Cook County residents, CEDA is the official agency that approves LIHWAP, LIHEAP, and UBR applications. You can learn more at www.cedaorg.net and you can apply for LIHWAP and other programs and services by calling the CEDA hotline at 1-800-571-2332.

What is the income eligibility?

Your household meets the gross income qualification for LIHEAP, which is generally 151 to 200 percent of the federal poverty level.

What type of countable income do you use for eligibility determination?

Gross Income. Gross income is defined as the individual’s total pay before taxes or other deductions. This includes income from all sources and is not limited to income received in the form of wages earned, self-employment income, cash earned/gifted, unemployment benefits, and child support; it also includes fixed income sources like Social Security Administration Benefits (SSA), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Veteran Administration benefits, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Aid to the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (AABD) and pension income.

What water and/or wastewater (sewer) accounts are eligible?

Any residential property type that serves as your primary residence.

How will I receive LIHWAP benefits for my household?

The approved LIHWAP benefit amount will be paid toward your water bill. Benefits are paid directly to your water vendor (i.e., utility) and the payment will appear on your utility bill. This could take two to three billing cycles for the funds to appear.

How much will I receive in LIHWAP benefits?

The LIHWAP benefit can be up to a maximum of $1,500 per household. Applicants without a past due balance of with a small balance may see a credit toward a future bill added to their account.

Will I need to pay back my LIHWAP benefits?

No. Households who receive LIHWAP benefits will not have to pay back the benefits.

The only instance that would require repayment would be if there is a determination that the application submitted was incomplete or fraudulent and the application should not have been approved.

When will I receive LIHWAP benefits?

Your LIHWAP income eligibility will be determined within 30 days of CEDA receiving your documentation.  Because LIHWAP is a brand-new program, it may take one or two billing cycles for the benefit to appear on your bill; however, accounts that are disconnected or facing disconnection will be prioritized.

If you are missing information or documentation, you should expect a denial letter from CEDA within 30 days of CEDA receiving your documentation that indicates what steps to take for your application to proceed.

Are there other benefits or programs besides LIHWAP that can help my family?

Yes. LIHWAP’s eligibility requirements align with the requirements of some other assistance programs, including LIHEAP assistance for heat and electric bills, and Utility Billing Relief (UBR) for additional City of Chicago utility assistance.

For City of Chicago and Cook County residents, CEDA is the official agency that approves LIHWAP, LIHEAP, and UBR applications. You can learn more at www.cedaorg.net and you can apply for LIHWAP and other programs and services by calling the CEDA hotline at 1-800-571-2332.

What is considered a past due bill?

LIHWAP requires the submission of your most recent water and/or wastewater (sewer) bill(s).  Your benefit amount will be based on the past due amount on that bill.

For customers enrolled in UBR, the set-aside balance may be used for LIHWAP eligibility.

Can LIHWAP help with my broken pipes or leaky faucets?

No. LIHWAP funds are only available for water and/or wastewater (sewer) bill assistance.

Who should complete and sign the application?

The application can be completed by any adult residing in the household.

What address should I list?

List the household's permanent address where the applicant currently resides.

Can renters apply?

Renters may apply for LIHWAP assistance.  They will still need to supply the household’s most recent water and/or wastewater (sewer) bill(s), and they will also need to provide documentation proving that the water and wastewater (sewer) costs are included in their rent (ex.: a lease including that language).  The LIHWAP benefit will still be applied to the water and/or wastewater (sewer) account(s).

Can undocumented customers apply for LIHWAP?

Households must include at least one documented resident; the documented resident does not need to be the homeowner, the customer of record on the account, or an adult. Households can include undocumented members.

Where do I go if I have questions about LIHWAP benefits?

For more information about LIHWAP visit www.cedaorg.net/bills or call the CEDA hotline at 1-800-571-2332.