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BlogOn June 4, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) launched the new Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) established under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.HHS launches new Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)
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Blog
HHS launches new Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)
On June 4, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) launched the new Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) established under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. LIHWAP is a temporary emergency program that will help low-income households and families afford water and wastewater services during the Coronavirus pandemic. Along with funding provided under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, LIWHAP will offer $1.14 billion to help residents pay their water bills, avoid shutoffs and support household water system reconnections related to non-payment.
LIHWAP provides grants to states, territories and tribes to work with private owners and operators of public water systems and treatment. Although Congress established LIHWAP as an emergency program to help states respond to the coronavirus pandemic, ACF is directing states to model LIHWAP after the existing Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), meaning county governments functioning as local LIHEAP agencies might also be responsible for administering this new program. In 13 states, county governments either fully administer the LIHEAP program or share that responsibility with local community-based agencies.
To date, ACF has released $166.6 million – 15 percent of total funds allocated for LIHWAP – to support the establishment of the program. Click here for additional details on the new program.
NACo will continue to monitor implementation of LIHWAP and the role counties play in administering these vital water and wastewater services.
Additional Resources
- LIHWAP Landing Page
- HHS LIHWAP General Information PowerPoint
- HHS LIHWAP Administrative Costs and Use of Funds PowerPoint
- NACo Blog: Administration for Children and Families (ACF) issues initial guidance for low-income water assistance program
On June 4, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) launched the new Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) established under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.2021-06-07Blog2021-06-07
On June 4, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) launched the new Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) established under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. LIHWAP is a temporary emergency program that will help low-income households and families afford water and wastewater services during the Coronavirus pandemic. Along with funding provided under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, LIWHAP will offer $1.14 billion to help residents pay their water bills, avoid shutoffs and support household water system reconnections related to non-payment.
LIHWAP provides grants to states, territories and tribes to work with private owners and operators of public water systems and treatment. Although Congress established LIHWAP as an emergency program to help states respond to the coronavirus pandemic, ACF is directing states to model LIHWAP after the existing Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), meaning county governments functioning as local LIHEAP agencies might also be responsible for administering this new program. In 13 states, county governments either fully administer the LIHEAP program or share that responsibility with local community-based agencies.
To date, ACF has released $166.6 million – 15 percent of total funds allocated for LIHWAP – to support the establishment of the program. Click here for additional details on the new program.
NACo will continue to monitor implementation of LIHWAP and the role counties play in administering these vital water and wastewater services.
Additional Resources
- LIHWAP Landing Page
- HHS LIHWAP General Information PowerPoint
- HHS LIHWAP Administrative Costs and Use of Funds PowerPoint
- NACo Blog: Administration for Children and Families (ACF) issues initial guidance for low-income water assistance program

About Rachel Mackey (Full Bio)
Legislative Director – Human Services & Education | Veterans & Military Services
Rachel serves as legislative director for human services and education.More from Rachel Mackey
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Blog
The County Countdown – September 26, 2023
Every other week, NACo’s County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership. Watch the video and explore NACo resources below on some of the top issues we're covering this week. -
Webinar
New Options to Combat Summer Hunger: What Counties Need to Know
Sep. 21, 2023 , 1:00 pmSummer hunger impacts too many children when they lose access to nutritious school meals. -
Reports & Toolkits
Legislative Toolkit for Counties: Priorities for Strengthening the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
This toolkit provides an overview of the county role in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), federal policy priorities for ensuring SNAP is effectively serving county residents and the current legislative and administrative outlook for program reforms. -
County News
‘Dr. Drew’ applauds progress in mental health care, but ‘still progress to be made’
“It’s not that hard to treat,” Pinsky said of the mental health crisis. “We just need the resources, we need the beds, we need the psychiatrists.” -
County News
Two-county solution offers urban Nevada kids a rural retreat
Clark County, Nevada youths now have access to a new 4-H camp in neighboring Lincoln County, which will retain jobs it would have lost when a corporate retreat center closed. -
County News
County’s mobile market closes the grocery desert gap
Gwinnett County, Ga. teamed up with a food bank to create a mobile community market to alleviate food insecurity, which had increased during the pandemic.
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Basic page
Human Services & Education Steering Committee
All matters pertaining to children’s issues, foster care, public assistance and income support, services to senior citizens and individuals with disabilities, immigration policy, social services, and elementary, secondary and post-secondary education. Policy Platform & Resolutions 2022-2023 2022 NACo Legislative Prioritiespagepagepage<p>All matters pertaining to children’s issues, foster care, public assistance and income support, services to senior citizens and individuals with disabilities, immigration policy, social services, and elementary,
Contact
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Legislative Director – Human Services & Education | Veterans & Military Services(202) 661-8843
Related Posts
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BlogThe County Countdown – September 26, 2023Sep. 25, 2023
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County News‘Dr. Drew’ applauds progress in mental health care, but ‘still progress to be made’Aug. 24, 2023
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County NewsTwo-county solution offers urban Nevada kids a rural retreatAug. 21, 2023
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Reports & ToolkitsLegislative Toolkit for Counties: Priorities for Strengthening the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)Sep. 20, 2023
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Reports & ToolkitsThe County Role in Food SystemsJul. 14, 2023
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Reports & ToolkitsThe County Human Services and Education LandscapeJul. 7, 2023
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