Facing a shut-off notice for your water or sewer utilities or mounting bills can be very stressful. Fortunately, there are places to turn. In Summit County, several assistance programs help residents cover water and sewer bills.

Navigating these programs isn’t always easy, especially if you’ve never applied before. They often have specific eligibility requirements and require you to submit documentation.

To help you through the process, this guide will break down the water/sewer bill assistance programs available to Akron and Summit County residents, including program qualifications and how to apply. 

New water bill assistance program

What is it? In November, Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan announced the city would restructure water rates in 2024. With a rate increase on the way, Akron is also launching a new water affordability program, called the Akron Water Bill Assistance Program.

The program will allow eligible Akron residents to receive a 40% discount on their water bill, including fees. The discount will cover the $4 billing charge, the $9 infrastructure charge and the water rate. 

Who qualifies for the program? It is open to both homeowners and tenants at or below 175% of the federal poverty line. In addition, you must also meet one of the following criteria:

  • Be a recipient of the Summit County Homestead Exemption, for disabled adults and people over 65 who meet income guidelines; veterans; and surviving spouses of fallen officers. 
  • Have received a Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) letter of participation, for Ohioans with a household income at or below 175% of the federal poverty line who need assistance paying their home energy bills.
  • Have received a Percentage of Income Payment Plus (PIPP) letter of participation, for Ohioans with a household income at or below 175% of the federal poverty line who have utility service from an electric or natural gas company regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.

How to apply: Applications for the Water Bill Assistance Program will open on Jan. 1. Those who are interested and eligible to apply can do so online via email, by mail or by fax. 

Before you apply, you need to determine your eligibility, and the way you do that varies depending on whether you’re using HEAP/PIPP or the Summit County Homestead Exemption. You can find step-by-step instructions for each on the City of Akron’s website.

Once your HEAP, PIPP or Homestead Exemption is confirmed, you can fill out the application — so long as it’s after the Jan. 1 opening date. When applications open, they’ll become available on the City of Akron’s website.

The application can then be returned by email or fax:

You can also mail your application to the Akron Utilities Business Office at:

1180 S. Main St.
Suite 110
Akron, OH 44301

United Way 2-1-1 helpline

What is it? The United Way of Summit and Medina counties has a 2-1-1 helpline that connects residents with help when they need it whether they’re struggling with food insecurity, housing, mental health or paying their utility bills. 

When you call the 2-1-1 helpline, you’ll be connected with a trained member of your community who can help direct you to the services you need. The goal is to break down barriers that historically prevented people from either seeking or receiving assistance, making it easier for anyone who needs it to call and get help. 

Representatives at the 2-1-1 call center can connect you with water service payment assistance, including discounted water and sewer service, as well as payment assistance for veterans and those living with HIV/AIDS. They can also help you apply for utility reconnection programs through medical certificates or special reconnect orders.

Who qualifies for the program? Anyone in Summit or Medina counties who needs assistance can call the 2-1-1 helpline to get connected with various resources.

Keep in mind, though, that if you call the 2-1-1 helpline and want help applying to a water/sewer assistance program, you still need to meet the eligibility requirements for that program.

How to apply: To get help from United Way’s 2-1-1 helpline, you can start by going to the organization’s website, entering your city or ZIP code and then selecting a service category that’s available in your area to get connected to the right person or department. 

Or, you can dial 2-1-1 or 330-376-6660 to connect with a staff member 24/7. They will provide information on available resources and connect you with the right assistance. 

Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)

What is it? The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) helps ensure that those who are facing financial hardships still have access to clean, safe drinking water by preventing disconnections and safeguarding access to water.

This program is available to low-income families in Summit County through March 31, 2024.

Who qualifies for the program? Assistance is based on the number of household members and total household income, as the program is only available to low-income homeowners and renters. 

LIHWAP is meant to be an emergency assistance program. Examples of crises that would qualify you for LIHWAP include:

  • Past-due water and sewer bills
  • Disconnection of water and sewer service
  • At risk of service being terminated
  • Need to establish a new service or need to pay to transfer an existing service

Under LIHWAP, households can be eligible for assistance up to $750 on water and $750 on sewer. If you qualify for assistance, direct payments will be made to your utility provider.

How to apply: Schedule an appointment with Community Action Akron Summit. To schedule, you can go through the organization’s website or call 330-436-0261.

Ohio Household Water Assistance Program

What is it? The Ohio Household Water Assistance Program is a one-time benefit for income-eligible Ohioans needing assistance with their water and utility bills. Funding for the program is provided by the Consolidated Appropriations Act and American Rescue Plan Act, both of which aim to provide fast, direct economic assistance to those in need. 

The Ohio Household Water Assistance Program was recently extended through March 31, 2024.

Who qualifies for the program? To be eligible for the Ohio Household Water Assistance Program, you must be at or below 175% of the federal poverty line and be:

  • Disconnected from water/sewage service
  • Have a disconnection notice
  • Need to establish new service
  • Need to pay to transfer service

Your household can also be eligible for assistance if you receive help from the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), Percentage of Income Payment Program (PIPP), means-tested veterans programs, SSI, SNAP or TANF benefits. You must provide documentation of receiving those benefits. 

How to apply: You can start an online application here. However, you’ll need to contact your local energy provider to finish your application. You can find your local energy provider listed by county here. For example, Summit County’s provider is Akron/Summit Community Action Inc.

What documents do you need? While requirements vary among programs, you’ll likely need the following documents to apply for the Ohio Household Water Assistance Program:

  • Most recent utility bills.
  • A list of all current household members, including their birth dates and Social Security numbers. You’ll also need proof of legal residency/U.S. citizenship for each household member. Acceptable proof can be a Social Security card, birth certificate, U.S. passport, naturalization paper or certificate of citizenship, permanent visa or insurance ID card. 
  • Proof of income for each household member over age 18 from at least the past 30 days. This includes Supplemental Security Income, Social Security Disability Income, Social Security, pension, alimony, self-employment wages and unemployment.
  • Proof of disability if applicable.

Where else can you find help?

Several federal and state programs provide utility assistance to those in need, but if you don’t qualify or can’t apply for another reason, there are other avenues available for help. For starters, you can check with your local city hall or your city’s website about water/sewer assistance programs. 

In addition, you can look for assistance in other places, including: