Low Income Household Water Assistance Program

Need help paying your water bill? Hillsborough County can assist! The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) helps Hillsborough County residents pay for water and wastewater bills, so they don't have to choose between household utilities and groceries. Assistance is provided for as long as program funds are available.

Households must meet the following criteria:

• Be a U.S. Citizen or an alien resident who is eligible for federal benefits
• Be a resident of Hillsborough County
• Have a household gross income of no more than 60 percent state median income for households of 8 members or less, or a household's gross income of no more than 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for households with 9 or more members
  • Income Eligibility Criteria
• Must have a recent water bill
• Be responsible for paying their home water bills
• Additional qualifications may be necessary to determine eligibility
  • Applicants will be informed at the time of application 

• All eligibility appointments will be scheduled in advance and can be virtual/over-the-phone or in person.
• An eligibility specialist will be requesting all necessary documents to be sent electronically and will be able to assist you with this process.
• Hillsborough County may prioritize financial assistance appointments to households that have members who are part of the most vulnerable population (persons 60 years or older, school-age, or with a disability)
• If you don't have all necessary documents for your appointment, you will be asked to reschedule your appointment for when all paperwork is completed and available

• Call (813) 272-5220 to be screened for an eligibility appointment
• Gather all of the following documents for your scheduled appointment:
  • Social Security number verification for each household member
  • Two items showing verification of Hillsborough County residency:
    • Valid driver's license with current address
    • Letter or current lease from your landlord or mortgage company
    • Hillsborough County voter registration card
    • Public water bill with Hillsborough County address
    • Vehicle registration with a Hillsborough County address
    • Current public-school enrollment in Hillsborough County
  • Picture identification for all adults in the household
  • Verification of gross income for all household members for the last 30 days, such as: paycheck stub, employer letter, award letter for public assistance, Social Security income verification, unemployment benefits letter, or pension check stub
  • Verification of water/wastewater obligation
• Additional requirements may be necessary for eligibility determination depending on each household situation