Access to safe and affordable drinking water and wastewater services is a fundamental element of health, safety, and well-being for households in Nebraska.
The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) helps low-income households with water utility services (drinking water or wastewater) costs, including deposits, reconnect fees, standard charges, standard fees, and taxes included in the household's water utility services bill. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) received federal funds from the Office of Community Services as a result of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act to administer LIHWAP. LIHWAP in Nebraska is 100% federally funded.
DHHS provides the following types of LIHWAP assistance:
Eligible households may receive one LIHWAP payment (rate reduction or priority assistance) from October through September unless extenuating circumstances exist.
To qualify for LIHWAP assistance, a household must:
If your household has an active or pending Economic Assistance (EA) case, you may request LIHWAP without submitting a new application. If your household does not have an active or pending EA case, you must submit an agency approved application for LIHWAP.
Individuals can request or apply for LIHWAP:
The following forms must be completed and submitted to DHHS via email at: dhhs.lihwapmailbox@nebraska.gov.
DHHS will send a confirmation email once forms have been received, and your agency is approved to receive LIHWAP payments.