(KTEN) — The Oklahoma Department of Human Services has opened online applications for its Low Income Home Water Assistance Programs. 

The programs provide funds to assist low-income households with water and wastewater bills. 

OKDHS offers a Non-Emergency Water Bill Pay Program and the Water Crisis Program. LIHWAP is a one-time program created and funded under the Consolidated Appropriations Act and the American Rescue Plan Act. 

The Non-Emergency Water Bill Program assists with a one-time payment per fiscal year to the public drinking water or wastewater participating provider for the eligible household. 

"The Water Crisis Program also provides assistance with a one-time payment per fiscal year,”  OKDHS program staffer Matt Conley explained. “With someone who has a verifiable water crisis, and they are about to be disconnected from their water service, or will be disconnected in 72 hours.” 

DHS has $13 million available for this round.  The department must use federal funding by October 2023. 

“Persons applying for each program should have the most recent water bill information for their home and utility supplier, as well as their ID, Social Security number, and income verification,“ DHS said in a statement.

Income eligibility guidelines are based on the number of people living in the home and monthly income. The maximum monthly gross income allowed per household size is:

  • 1 person: $1,473
  • 2 people: $1,984
  • 3 people: $2,495
  • 4 people: $3,007
  • 5 people: $3,518
  • 6 people: $4,029
  • 7 people: $4,541
  • 8 people: $5,052

Applications for the Low Income Water Home Assistance Program can be made by visiting the DHS website.