The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (NJDCA) Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is funded t nearly $24 million in FY21.  The program will ensure continuity of water and wastewater services for a high percentage of New Jersey residents who will be in danger of service termination at the conclusion of a moratorium.  The State utilizes LIHWAP grant funds to assist low-income households with water and wastewater bills.

Program Operation 

New Jersey’s LIHWAP is managed and operated at the State level in coordination with other programs available to low-income households.  New Jersey’s LIHWAP provides relief assistance to three priority groups:

  • Customers whose water and wastewater services have already been disconnected
  • Customers who have received shut off notices and customers with past due balances on their water and wastewater bills
  • Customers whose water and wastewater bills are current with no past due balances

Benefits on Behalf of Households

Under NJDCA’s administration of the program, benefit payments on behalf of eligible households are initiated in stages with priority given to customers who have already been disconnected, have received shut off notices, or have past due balances to ensure that services are restored and/or not disrupted.  Eligible households may receive up to $5,000 in benefit assistance towards the payment of outstanding bills and associated fees.

Priority Populations

 Households that meet program eligibility criteria, fall into one of the following categories, and whose services are about to be disconnected are prioritized for all services and their applications are processed immediately.

  • People with disabilities
  • Families with young children (<5)
  • Older Adult / Seniors (60+)
  • Households with high water burdens
  • Households who have received a shut off notice and are in danger of service disconnection

For more information about the New Jersey LIHWAP, contact:

Fidel Ekhelar, Supervisor, Office of Home Energy Assistance

Department of Community Affairs Division of Housing & Community Resources

PO Box 806, 101 South Broad Street, Trenton, NJ  08625-0806

Tel:  (609) 649-3303 / E-Mail:  Fidel.Exhelar@DCA.NJ.GOV / Website:  https://www.nj.gov/dca/

The Borough is required to offer deferred payment plans to pay your arrears in installments.  The Borough will not shut off a customer who is timely paying their current bill and the installments on a deferred payment agreement.  To request an installment plan to pay off your arrears, call 856-468-5228.