What is LIHWAP?
The Wyoming Department of Family Services is administering the Wyoming Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), a U.S. Department of Labor and related agencies initiative passed through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 allocated $750,013 to the Wyoming LIHWAP Program. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 allocated $957,132 to the Wyoming LIHWAP Program. LIHWAP provides funds to assist low-income, qualified households with water and wastewater bills. We expect to use the full amount allocated due to the high demand for water and wastewater services in Wyoming. The LIHWAP Program opened for applications on October 1, 2022.
What is the income eligibility?
Income eligibility depends on annual income and household size. Recipients must have a total household income at or below 60% of the State Median Income (SMI). Please review the following chart to determine income eligibility.
If in doubt, LIHWAP encourages you to submit an application or call 800-246-4221 for help with LIHWAP-related questions.
What supporting documents are required to demonstrate LIHWAP eligibility?
LIHWAP is requesting that you provide:
How will my total household income be determined?
Your total household income is determined as either:
Is there an application fee to apply?
No. The LIHWAP application is free of charge.
If I receive LIHWAP assistance, am I required to repay the amount(s) at a future date?
No. Eligible recipients who receive assistance with eligible expenses and comply with the terms and conditions of the LIHWAP program are not required to repay any amount(s) received.
If I have already paid for my water and/or wastewater bills, can I be reimbursed for those expenses?
No. If you applied for LIHWAP and received approval for benefits before January 20, 2023, and your water provider had not received payment from LIHWAP by February 03, 2023, you are eligible for a credit on your water/wastewater account. However, if you applied after January 20, 2023, you would not be eligible to receive a credit on paid water/wastewater bills for paid bills.
What expenses can LIHWAP cover?
LIHWAP benefits prioritize households with water and wastewater disconnects and households with arrears. Then, based on available funding, LIHWAP will pay for households with a rate reduction benefit that will be paid monthly until the benefit is exhausted.
Eligible expenses include water bills, wastewater bills, stormwater bills, late fees (prior to applying for LIHWAP), service and tax fees, and reconnection fees. LIHWAP will also pay for water treatment equipment, water cisterns, bottled water, and septic tank pumping when they meet certain criteria.
What about other costs in my water bills such as (trash, sanitation recycling, etc.)?
LIHWAP is only for water and wastewater services. Any services not related to water and wastewater cannot be paid for by LIHWAP.
If you have any questions, please contact 800-246-4221 for assistance.
If I rent or live in subsidized housing, can I receive LIHWAP assistance?
If you are responsible for paying your water/wastewater bills, whether you pay directly to the water provider or to your landlord, you may be eligible for LIHWAP.
What should I do if I think there is a mistake in my eligibility determination or benefit amount?
If you believe a mistake has been made regarding your eligibility determination or benefit amount, please submit a review request in writing stating the specific reason you are requesting a review.
For more information regarding the fair hearing and appeal process, you may call Align at
1-800-246-4221. If you do not have a phone, you may mail Align at PO Box 827, Cheyenne WY 82003.
What happens if I do not exhaust my benefits in the LIHWAP season?
On February 23, 2022, the Department of Family Services (DFS) was notified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that applicants who do not exhaust their benefit amount at the end of the LIHWAP season may be allowed to use the remaining benefit amount as a credit to future months on their water/water bills.
How can I apply to LIHWAP to receive help with my water and/or wastewater bills?
Applications are available online and in pdf format. We encourage all applicants to apply online.
Please find the online application link here.
Here is the link to the PDF version for an in-person turn-in.
How long will it take to process my LIHWAP application?
Applications will be worked in the order of receipt. Applicants will be notified if additional information is required to complete the processing of an application.
My water provider is not active with LIHWAP. What should I do?
Ask your water provider if they are interested in being a LIHWAP vendor. If they are willing to register, have the water vendor contact The Align office at lieapvendor@thealignteam.org or by calling 800-246-4221. If your water vendor does not want to be a LIHWAP vendor, call 800-246-4221 to inquire about other registered vendors in your area.
Is my water provided enrolled in LIHWAP?
You can find out if your water provider is enrolled on the L IHWAP Enrollment Sheet.
The Wyoming Department of Family Services is administering the Wyoming Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), a U.S. Department of Labor and related agencies initiative passed through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 allocated $750,013 to the Wyoming LIHWAP Program. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 allocated $957,132 to the Wyoming LIHWAP Program. LIHWAP provides funds to assist low-income, qualified households with water and wastewater bills. We expect to use the full amount allocated due to the high demand for water and wastewater services in Wyoming. The LIHWAP Program opened for applications on October 1, 2022.
What is the income eligibility?
Income eligibility depends on annual income and household size. Recipients must have a total household income at or below 60% of the State Median Income (SMI). Please review the following chart to determine income eligibility.
If in doubt, LIHWAP encourages you to submit an application or call 800-246-4221 for help with LIHWAP-related questions.
What supporting documents are required to demonstrate LIHWAP eligibility?
LIHWAP is requesting that you provide:
- Proof of all household member's gross income;
- Proof of identification for each household member;
- Current water/wastewater bills and
- If you are a renter, you must supply rental verification.
How will my total household income be determined?
Your total household income is determined as either:
- Total household gross income for the calendar year 2022, using your State Median Income(SMI) on your 2022 IRS Form 1040; OR
- Total household monthly income at the time of application for at least two (2) months prior to submission.
- For this determination, your income eligibility will need to be redetermined every three (3) months in order to receive any additional LIHWAP assistance.
Is there an application fee to apply?
No. The LIHWAP application is free of charge.
If I receive LIHWAP assistance, am I required to repay the amount(s) at a future date?
No. Eligible recipients who receive assistance with eligible expenses and comply with the terms and conditions of the LIHWAP program are not required to repay any amount(s) received.
If I have already paid for my water and/or wastewater bills, can I be reimbursed for those expenses?
No. If you applied for LIHWAP and received approval for benefits before January 20, 2023, and your water provider had not received payment from LIHWAP by February 03, 2023, you are eligible for a credit on your water/wastewater account. However, if you applied after January 20, 2023, you would not be eligible to receive a credit on paid water/wastewater bills for paid bills.
What expenses can LIHWAP cover?
LIHWAP benefits prioritize households with water and wastewater disconnects and households with arrears. Then, based on available funding, LIHWAP will pay for households with a rate reduction benefit that will be paid monthly until the benefit is exhausted.
Eligible expenses include water bills, wastewater bills, stormwater bills, late fees (prior to applying for LIHWAP), service and tax fees, and reconnection fees. LIHWAP will also pay for water treatment equipment, water cisterns, bottled water, and septic tank pumping when they meet certain criteria.
What about other costs in my water bills such as (trash, sanitation recycling, etc.)?
LIHWAP is only for water and wastewater services. Any services not related to water and wastewater cannot be paid for by LIHWAP.
If you have any questions, please contact 800-246-4221 for assistance.
If I rent or live in subsidized housing, can I receive LIHWAP assistance?
If you are responsible for paying your water/wastewater bills, whether you pay directly to the water provider or to your landlord, you may be eligible for LIHWAP.
What should I do if I think there is a mistake in my eligibility determination or benefit amount?
If you believe a mistake has been made regarding your eligibility determination or benefit amount, please submit a review request in writing stating the specific reason you are requesting a review.
For more information regarding the fair hearing and appeal process, you may call Align at
1-800-246-4221. If you do not have a phone, you may mail Align at PO Box 827, Cheyenne WY 82003.
What happens if I do not exhaust my benefits in the LIHWAP season?
On February 23, 2022, the Department of Family Services (DFS) was notified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that applicants who do not exhaust their benefit amount at the end of the LIHWAP season may be allowed to use the remaining benefit amount as a credit to future months on their water/water bills.
How can I apply to LIHWAP to receive help with my water and/or wastewater bills?
Applications are available online and in pdf format. We encourage all applicants to apply online.
Please find the online application link here.
Here is the link to the PDF version for an in-person turn-in.
How long will it take to process my LIHWAP application?
Applications will be worked in the order of receipt. Applicants will be notified if additional information is required to complete the processing of an application.
My water provider is not active with LIHWAP. What should I do?
Ask your water provider if they are interested in being a LIHWAP vendor. If they are willing to register, have the water vendor contact The Align office at lieapvendor@thealignteam.org or by calling 800-246-4221. If your water vendor does not want to be a LIHWAP vendor, call 800-246-4221 to inquire about other registered vendors in your area.
Is my water provided enrolled in LIHWAP?
You can find out if your water provider is enrolled on the L IHWAP Enrollment Sheet.