English
The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority has partnered with Dollar Energy Fund to administer a Hardship Program to assist customers having difficulty paying their water bill. The PWSA Hardship Program provides assistance grants that are applied directly to a limited-income household’s utility bill. Eligible applicants can receive a grant once every 12 months. Program guidelines and eligibility requirements are subject to change.
Open from October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025, eligible applicants regardless of service status.
Grants are dispersed on a first come, first serve basis to eligible applicants while funding is available.
Applicants must have an outstanding balance on their utility bill of at least $1.
The maximum grant amount an applicant may receive is $450. Customers can receive up to $450 each towards water and wastewater charges.
Applicants can only receive a grant once every 12 months.
Grant awards are based on need and each family’s circumstances are different. Grant amounts are determined on a case-to-case basis.
If a customer’s utility service is off or in threat of termination when they apply and the maximum grant amount will not restore service or stop termination, the application will be denied. The amount needed to restore service or stop a termination is determined by utility review. Notification will be sent to the customer advising them that their application was denied and that an additional payment is required in order to be considered for assistance.
Account must be residential, single home or apartment. No commercial, industrial, or apartments with shared utility service.
Name on account must be that of an adult who is currently living in the home.
Dollar Energy Fund grants cannot be used to cover security deposits or reconnection fees.
Total gross household income must be at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. Use our Income Calculator, or the chart below, to find out if your gross (before tax) income is within the range of eligibility for the program.
| Household Size | 200% Monthly | 200% Yearly |
| 1 | $2,510 | $30,120 |
| 2 | $3,407 | $40,880 |
| 3 | $4,303 | $51,640 |
| 4 | $5,200 | $62,400 |
| 5 | $6,097 | $73,160 |
| 6 | $6,993 | $83,920 |
| 7 | $7,890 | $94,680 |
| 8 | $8,787 | $105,440 |
| Each add’l add | $897 | $10,760 |
A copy of your most recent PWSA bill with proof of minimum payment must be attached to all applications.
Total gross monthly income for all members living in the household.
Through a partnership with Pennsylvania American Water, our Water Assistance Program consists of two parts:
You must be a customer of Pennsylvania American Water.
All applicants must provide verification of income.
Customers who are eligible for the Discount Program will have gross (before tax) income that is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. Use our Income Calculator, or the chart below, to find out if your gross (before tax) income is within the range of eligibility for the program.
Household income should be calculated using the before tax amount for all household members, excluding minors.
| Household Size | 200% Monthly | 200% Yearly |
| 1 | $2,510 | $30,120 |
| 2 | $3,407 | $40,880 |
| 3 | $4,303 | $51,640 |
| 4 | $5,200 | $62,400 |
| 5 | $6,097 | $73,160 |
| 6 | $6,993 | $83,920 |
| 7 | $7,890 | $94,680 |
| 8 | $8,787 | $105,440 |
| Each add’l add | $897 | $10,760 |
The MUD Energy Assistance Program, a Hardship Program administered by Dollar Energy Fund, assists eligible utility customers with their Metropolitan Utilities District bills. Customers may be eligible to receive a grant that is applied directly to their utility bill. Our program is a fund of last resort because it goes above and beyond what is available through federal, state and other programs. Program guidelines and eligibility requirements are subject to change.
The calendar year of the program runs from October 1st through September 30th. The program is currently open for customers whose service is off only.
Grants are dispersed on a first come, first serve basis to eligible applicants while funding is available.
Individuals eligible for assistance are those who are experiencing an acute financial crisis due to a verifiable emergency and who have exhausted alternative resources. Emergency situations generally include:
Applicants must have an outstanding balance on their MUD bill of at least $100.
The maximum grant amount an applicant may receive is $500.
Applicants can receive more than one grant per program year until reaching the maximum grant amount. (10/1/2024 – 9/30/2025)
Grant awards are based on need and each family’s circumstances are different. Grant amounts are determined on a case-to-case basis.
If a customer’s utility service is off or in threat of termination when they apply and the maximum grant amount will not restore service or stop termination, the application will be denied. The amount needed to restore service or stop a termination is determined by utility review. Notification will be sent to the customer advising them that their application was denied and that an additional payment is required in order to be considered for assistance.
All applicants must provide verification of income. Verification of income can be proof of enrollment in another low-income program.
Income-eligible clients must apply for all federally- funded programs when those programs are open.
Account must be residential, single home or apartment. No “cooking only,” commercial, industrial, or apartments with shared utility service.
Name on application must match the name (or one of the names) listed on the utility bill and must be that of an adult who is currently living in the home.
Grants can be used to cover security deposits.
Total gross household income must be at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. Use our Income Calculator, or the chart below, to find out if your gross (before tax) income is within the range of eligibility for the program.
| Household Size | 200% Monthly | 200% Yearly |
| 1 | $2,510 | $30,120 |
| 2 | $3,407 | $40,880 |
| 3 | $4,303 | $51,640 |
| 4 | $5,200 | $62,400 |
| 5 | $6,097 | $73,160 |
| 6 | $6,993 | $83,920 |
| 7 | $7,890 | $94,680 |
| 8 | $8,787 | $105,440 |
| Each add’l add | $897 | $10,760 |
Kentucky American Water’s H20 – Help to Others Program is no longer administered by Dollar Energy Fund. For information about this program, contact Kentucky American Water at 1-800-678-6301.
The Energy Assistance Program (EAP) can help you pay your heat and electric bills! EAP is a federally-funded program through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) called the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). EAP provides a one-time annual benefit that can assist you with the high cost of home energy and can help if you are disconnected, or are about to get disconnected. However, an EAP benefit will not cover all of your annual heating and electrics costs, so you should continue to pay your bills regularly.
To be eligible, customers must have a gross (before tax) income at or below 60 percent of the state’s median income. Visit the Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority website for a detailed breakdown of income qualifications and program guidelines.
The Illinois American Water Income-Based Discount Program is a program designed to provide utility assistance for residential water and/or wastewater customers. Program guidelines and eligibility requirements are subject to change.
Applicant must be a residential customer of Illinois American Water.
Total gross household income must be at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. Use our Income Calculator, or the chart below, to find out if your gross (before tax) income is within the range of eligibility for the program.
| Household Size | 150% Monthly | 150% Yearly |
| 1 | $1,883 | $22,590 |
| 2 | $2,555 | $30,660 |
| 3 | $3,228 | $38,730 |
| 4 | $3,900 | $46,800 |
| 5 | $4,573 | $54,870 |
| 6 | $5,245 | $62,940 |
| 7 | $5,918 | $71,010 |
| 8 | $6,590 | $79,080 |
| Each add’l add | $673 | $8,070 |
Once enrolled, customers will be required to recertify their household member and income information on an annual basis to remain enrolled in the program.
Applicants are required to provide proof of income.
Eligible applicants receive a 70% discount on their monthly volumetric usage.
The Cal Water Cares Hardship Program, which is administered by Dollar Energy Fund, assists eligible utility customers with their California Water Service Company bills. Customers may be eligible to receive a one-time grant that is applied directly to their utility bill. Program guidelines and eligibility requirements are subject to change.
Open from October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025, for services that are off or in threat of termination.
Grants are dispersed on a first come, first serve basis to eligible applicants while funding is available.
Applicants must have paid at least $75 on their Cal Water account in the three months prior to applying for a grant.
Senior Citizens, age 62 and over, must have paid $50 on their accounts in the three months prior to applying for a grant.
Pledges made on an applicant’s behalf and other grants cannot be counted toward the sincere effort of payment. Exceptions may be made in cases of extreme hardships.
Applicants must have an outstanding balance on their Cal Water bill of at least $100.
The maximum grant amount an applicant may receive is $200.
Applicants can only receive one grant per utility, per program year. (10/1/2024 – 9/30/2025)
Grant awards are based on need and each family’s circumstances are different. Grant amounts are determined on a case-to-case basis.
If a customer’s utility service is off or in threat of termination when they apply and the maximum grant amount will not restore service or stop termination, the application will be denied. The amount needed to restore service or stop a termination is determined by utility review. Notification will be sent to the customer advising them that their application was denied and that an additional payment is required in order to be considered for assistance.
All applicants must provide verification of income.
Income-eligible clients must apply for all federally-funded programs when those programs are open.
Account must be residential, single home or apartment. No “cooking only,” commercial, industrial, or apartments with shared utility service.
Name on account must be that of an adult who is currently living in the home.
Dollar Energy Fund grants cannot be used to cover security deposits or reconnection fees.
Total gross household income must be at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. Use our Income Calculator, or the chart below, to find out if your gross (before tax) income is within the range of eligibility for the program.
| Household Size | 200% Monthly | 200% Yearly |
| 1 | $2,510 | $30,120 |
| 2 | $3,407 | $40,880 |
| 3 | $4,303 | $51,640 |
| 4 | $5,200 | $62,400 |
| 5 | $6,097 | $73,160 |
| 6 | $6,993 | $83,920 |
| 7 | $7,890 | $94,680 |
| 8 | $8,787 | $105,440 |
| Each add’l add | $897 | $10,760 |
The Maryland American Water Hardship Program, which is administered by Dollar Energy Fund, assists eligible utility customers with their Maryland American Water bills. Customers may receive a one-time grant applied directly to their utility bill. Our program is a fund of last resort because it goes above and beyond what is available through federal, state and other programs. Program guidelines and eligibility requirements are subject to change.
Open from October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025, for services that are off or in threat of termination only.
Grants are dispersed on a first come, first serve basis to eligible applicants while funding is available.
Applicants must have paid at least $50 on their water accounts in the past three months.
Applicants must have an outstanding balance on their utility bill of at least $50.
The maximum grant amount an applicant may receive is $500.
Applicants can only receive one grant per utility, per program year. (10/1/2024 – 9/30/2025)
Grant awards are based on need and each family’s circumstances are different. Grant amounts are determined on a case-to-case basis.
If a customer’s utility service is off or in threat of termination when they apply and the maximum grant amount will not restore service or stop termination, the application will be denied. The amount needed to restore service or stop a termination is determined by utility review. Notification will be sent to the customer advising them that their application was denied and that an additional payment is required in order to be considered for assistance.
All applicants must provide verification of income.
Income-eligible clients must apply for all federally-funded programs when those programs are open.
Account must be residential, single home or apartment. No “cooking only,” commercial, industrial, or apartments with shared utility service.
Name on account must be that of an adult who is currently living in the home.
Dollar Energy Fund grants cannot be used to cover security deposits or reconnection fees.
Total gross household income must be at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. Use our Income Calculator, or the chart below, to find out if your gross (before tax) income is within the range of eligibility for the program.
Household Size 150% Monthly 150% Yearly 1 $1,883 $22,590 2 $2,555 $30,660 3 $3,228 $38,730 4 $3,900 $46,800 5 $4,573 $54,870 6 $5,245 $62,940 7 $5,918 $71,010 8 $6,590 $79,080 Each add’l add $673 $8,070