Find help paying a water bill in Shreveport and Caddo Parish
Falling behind on a water bill in Shreveport does not need to end with the service being shut off. The city water department runs its own assistance program. It may also agree to a payment plan on a past due balance, and a few local organizations may be able to put money toward the bill.
This page explains the help that may be available to water customers in Shreveport and the rest of Caddo Parish. It covers the Shreveport Water Assistance Program, the payment arrangements the water department itself offers, the local agencies that may assist with a water bill, and what to do when a smaller water system outside the city sends the bill.
The Shreveport Water Assistance Program
Most households in the parish are billed by the City of Shreveport Department of Water and Sewerage, and the city has an assistance program for its own customers. It is called the Shreveport Water Assistance Program, or SWAP. The department runs the program, and the United Way of Northwest Louisiana handles the applications.
SWAP is a credit that is applied to the bill every month. It lowers the water and sewer charges going forward. It does not pay off money that is already owed, so a customer who is behind will still need a separate arrangement for the old balance, which the next section covers.
Renters and homeowners may both apply. The account needs to be a residential one, and the person applying needs to be the one responsible for paying the bill. Someone who already receives SNAP benefits, sometimes called food stamps, or who is enrolled in Medicaid or LaMoms, may qualify automatically after showing proof of where they live. A household that is not in one of those programs may still qualify based on its income and size, which the United Way verifies as part of the application.
There are a few ways to apply. A customer may apply for SWAP through the United Way of Northwest Louisiana (website: https://www.unitedwaynwla.org/swap), either online, in person at the United Way office, or by calling 211 to set up an appointment. Anyone who is approved needs to apply again each year to keep the credit. The payment assistance page from the Department of Water and Sewerage at https://www.shreveportlawater.gov/219/Payment-Assistance has the current details and requirements.
Payment plans and hardship help from the water department
For a balance that is already past due, the water department may set up a payment agreement. This generally means paying part of the balance up front and then paying the rest in monthly installments while keeping the new charges current. The department may also grant a short extension on a due date in some situations.
A customer going through a serious hardship may ask for more than that. In limited cases, the department may credit a portion of an unpaid bill. This kind of relief is only offered a small number of times per year for any one account, so it may be best to ask for it only when the situation is truly serious.
The number for all of it is customer service at (318) 673-5510. Calling before the shut off date matters, because arrangements are easier to make while the water is still running. If the service has already been disconnected, ask what is required to turn it back on. A deposit may be required to restore an account that has been shut off.
Caddo Community Action Agency
The Caddo Community Action Agency serves the whole parish, and the water department lists the agency's center on St. Vincent Avenue as one of its local assistance contacts. The agency may be able to help with a water bill in some cases. Funding is limited and changes over time, so the only way to know what is currently offered is to call and ask. The number for the center is (318) 861-4808. A household behind on water is often behind on other bills too, so it may make sense to ask about everything in a single call. The NHPB guide to Caddo Community Action Agency programs.
Socialization Services
Socialization Services is a small nonprofit on West 70th Street in Shreveport. The city names it in its own community resource materials as a contact for help with water and sewer bill payments. Because the organization is small, the amount of money it has available at any point may be very limited. Call (318) 671-5800 first to ask whether help with a water bill is possible right now, rather than going to the office in person.
Catholic Charities of North Louisiana
Catholic Charities of North Louisiana offers emergency assistance that may include a water bill along with rent, electric, and gas payments. Help is never guaranteed, and conditions apply. Applicants are generally asked to attend a class on managing money as part of the process, and appointment slots may fill quickly, so it may take more than one try to get through on the phone. The NHPB guide to Catholic Charities in Shreveport explains the agency's programs in more detail..
A caution about payment scams
One warning before making any payment. Scammers sometimes call utility customers, claim the water is about to be shut off that same day, and demand an immediate payment by prepaid card, gift card, or wire transfer. The real water department does not collect money that way. If a call like that comes in, hang up and dial the customer service number printed on the actual bill to check the status of the account.
Programs change, funding runs out, and meeting the requirements listed by any agency does not guarantee that assistance will be given - even more so because water bill help is not as well funded. Confirm the current rules, documents, and availability directly with the water department or the organization before relying on any help described on this page.
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