Water bill help for Michigan residents.
Water bill assistance offered through The Heat and Warmth Fund as well as the MI Health & Human Services. The two organizations help low income households across Michigan keep their service connected or to make repairs to their plumbing. Donations from community groups, utilities, courts, and charitable partners fund emergency payments for struggling residents with the government providing resources as well from Department of Health and Human Services. Learn more below on where / how to get help paying water bills as well as the contact information.
Types of financial help available from THAW in Michigan
What began as a Detroit-based effort run by THAW now operates as a statewide program known as MI Water that assists income qualified households in any Michigan county who are struggling. Note the formal name of the program is MI Water (Michigan Water Assistance Through Efficiency and Repairs). As it aims to help pay existing bills but also fix the root cause of the issue, such as leaking pipes, inefficient appliances or other needs.
- THAW distributes this money to qualified households through its MI Water program, which supports qualified low-income households by preventing shutoffs, resolving arrears, and reducing the conditions that lead to repeated disconnections. It can be combined with other utility help in MI. The program provides direct payments to water providers (not the applicant) on behalf of eligible customers.
- While funding amounts can change based on the amount of money raised each year, in most cases up to $2,500 may be applied to a household’s delinquent balance, which is enough to resolve most past-due amounts owed by lower income families. Not there are lifetimes maximums in how much help a Michigan resident can receive.
- The program serves residential customers throughout the state who have a past-due water bill and who are responsible for paying that bill. Income limits are set at or below 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, which allows a wide range of working families to qualify when a financial emergency causes them to fall behind. Households provide documentation of their income, the overdue balance, and typical usage for the size of the household. Usage reviews help identify cases where high bills stem from plumbing problems, leaks, or inefficiencies that need additional attention.
MI Water can be combined with payment arrangements offered by local water departments. In communities served by the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department or the Great Lakes Water Authority, households may qualify for affordability plans that lower monthly rates or forgive debt over time. These local options work alongside THAW to stabilize an account and prevent further interruptions. Many water providers across Michigan offer similar budget billing or payment plans that can be paired with THAW assistance.
Repairs and conservation measures from MI Water / THAW are an option. The program also includes conservation support for eligible households. Water-saving education, assessments, and efficiency supplies may be provided to help reduce usage and lower future bills. The MI Water Program will help the household explore budgeting plans, which will make budgeting easier by establishing a standard monthly bills.
- In Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties (as well as other locations on a case by case basis), MI Water includes minor plumbing repair assistance for qualifying homes. Repairs focus on essential fixes that reduce water loss, including clogged drains, leaking toilets, dripping faucets, and basic pipe issues. There are other programs that help pay for home repairs too.
- Repairs from THAW must be small in scale and cannot exceed the financial limits of the program. These services help reduce unnecessary consumption and can prevent households from being denied water assistance due to high usage tied to leaks.
Government programs that help pay for water costs
The state’s Water Assistance Program through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is another option. Government grant money will help qualified lower-income families pay past due bills or the repairs to critical plumbing.
Contact information
When arrears are reduced through the MI Water program or or MDHHS, the remaining monthly bill becomes more manageable. Families often regain control of their account once the large backlog is removed, which improves their ability to stay current and prevents the sense of being overwhelmed by an unpayable debt. The program places strong emphasis on long-term stability rather than temporary relief.
Any type of assistance provided will be first come and served. There will also be a strict application process in place, including some or all of the following. The applicant can't be considered someone who wastes water. The homeowner or tenant needs to have usage for a household of their size. As an example, if they have 4 people in the home, there usage should be what that size home would use on average.
- Residents throughout the state can contact THAW for assistance. The general intake line is 1-800-866-8429.
- The Government program can be applied to by contacting [email protected].
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