Equality State News

Arlington residents received $246,675 in help with their water and sewer bills during 2022 as part of Arlington Water Utilities partnerships with state and local assistance agencies.

Three programs – the Arlington Water Utilities Care and Share Fund, Texas Utility Help, and the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program – provided aid to Arlington Water Utilities customers 1,158 times from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2022. Here is more about each program:

The Arlington Water Utilities Care and Share Fund provides aid with water bills for customers who are facing temporary financial problems and crises. Funding for Care and Share comes from donations from residents and businesses. Arlington works with three charities to help administer the Care and Share Programs. In 2022, 797 residents received a total of $179,469 in assistance.

The City of Arlington works with Community Action Partners to serve low-income residents in Tarrant County with the Low-Income Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). This is a federally funded assistance program for which residents who need bill assistance can apply. Even though Community Action Partners and the City of Fort Worth administer the program, it is available for all Tarrant County residents that qualify. The program began in April and assisted 210 residents with $39,946 worth of financial assistance in 2022.

 Arlington Water Utilities customers who meet income requirements can apply for assistance at TexasUtilityHelp.com, a partnership that began in late summer. Texas Utility Help is administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) with funding from the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and federal Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). Assistance may be paid up to the total amount due for payment to reconnect water service, avoid disconnection of water service, or for a current bill. In 2022, the program was able to serve 151 residents with $27,259.17 in financial assistance.

The City of Arlington Water Utilities started a program in 2022 called the Minor Plumbing Repair Assistance Program to help economically disadvantaged homeowners with minor plumbing repairs. In 2022, the Minor Repair Assistance Program covered $5,933.16 in plumbing repairs for residents.

Need help with bill assistance or a leak in your home? Visit the Arlington Care and Share webpage for more information. Click here to learn about the Care and Share Program.

Want to help others? You can make a one-time or continuing donation to the Care and Share a program when you pay your bill online at www.ArlingtonTX.gov/KnowYourH2O or by rounding up your online payment amount. Donations are also accepted by mail when paying your Arlington Water Utilities bill.

Original source can be found here.