If you need help paying your water bill in Illinois, the options depend on who delivers your water and where you live. A federal program called LIHWAP provides direct bill payment while funds last. The two largest private water utilities, Illinois American Water and Aqua Illinois, run their own income-based discount programs. Chicago homeowners can enroll in the city’s Utility Billing Relief program, and suburban Cook County has its own relief fund. Several smaller municipalities and townships add their own assistance on top.
LIHWAP: The Statewide Program for Any Illinois Resident
The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program, or LIHWAP, is the main government-funded option for water and sewer bills in Illinois. Eligible households can receive up to $400, or up to $1,500 if they are facing disconnection or have already been shut off. Customers with no past-due balance may also qualify for help reducing ongoing charges.1Illinois Legal Aid Online. Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)
To qualify, household income must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. For 2026, that works out to $31,920 for a single person, $66,000 for a family of four, and $88,720 for a household of six.2U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2026 Poverty Guidelines – Detailed Tables
One important caveat: the original federal LIHWAP authorization expired at the end of 2023, and Illinois is distributing what remains. Several counties have already exhausted their allocations.3U.S. House of Representatives. House Reintroduces LIHWAP Water Assistance Bill Treat it as first-come, first-served, and apply early.
Applications are processed through local Community Action Agencies alongside LIHEAP (the energy assistance program). You can start at helpillinoisfamilies.com or call 1-833-711-0374 to find your local agency. LIHEAP covers gas, electric, and propane but not water or sewer, so you need the LIHWAP application specifically for water help, though you can apply for both at once.4Illinois DCEO. How to Apply – Utility Bill Assistance
If You’re an Illinois American Water Customer
Illinois American Water expanded its Income-Based Discount Program in July 2025, doubling the income cap to 300% of the federal poverty level. Discounts come in four tiers and apply to both the usage charges and the fixed customer charge on each monthly bill:5American Water. Illinois American Water Expands Income-Based Discount Program
- At or below 50% of the poverty level: 80% off
- 51 to 100% of the poverty level: 65% off
- 101 to 150% of the poverty level: 40% off
- 151 to 300% of the poverty level: 10% off
The program is administered by the nonprofit Dollar Energy Fund. Call 1-888-282-6816 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or apply online through the Dollar Energy Fund website. You’ll need proof of income and household size, and enrollment has to be renewed every year.6Dollar Energy Fund. Illinois American Water Income-Based Discount Program
In April 2026, Illinois American Water launched a pilot that sends text messages to customers who may qualify, with a short eligibility questionnaire for streamlined enrollment. The texts come from a partner called Promise and will never ask for Social Security numbers or bank details.7American Water. Customer Assistance Programs – Illinois American Water
For a one-time emergency, Illinois American Water also runs H2O Help to Others through local Salvation Army offices. It provides up to $100 toward a delinquent water or wastewater bill, once per calendar year per household. Bring a current copy of the delinquent bill to a participating Salvation Army location.8American Water. H2O Help to Others – Illinois American Water
If You’re an Aqua Illinois Customer
Aqua Illinois launched its Customer Assistance Program on July 1, 2025. Residential customers with household income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level get a 70% discount on all base volumetric (usage) charges.9Illinois Commerce Commission. Utility Energy Assistance
Like the Illinois American Water program, it’s administered by the Dollar Energy Fund. Call 1-888-282-6816 or apply online. You’ll need your Aqua account number, household information, and proof of income. Discounts generally appear on the bill within one or two billing cycles, and participants must recertify annually. Customers with past-due balances can still apply, though the discount only applies to future bills.10Aqua Water. Illinois Customer Assistance Program (CAP)
Aqua Illinois also funds a separate grant program called Aqua Aid, administered through the local Salvation Army and paid for through customer and employee donations.11Illinois Commerce Commission. 2026 Water Policy Session Slides
If You Live in Chicago
Chicago’s Utility Billing Relief (UBR) program cuts water, sewer, and water-sewer tax charges in half for eligible low-income homeowners. It took effect on April 1, 2020.12City of Chicago Municipal Code. Municipal Code of Chicago, Section 11-12-545
The program includes a strong debt-forgiveness feature. If you pay all of your reduced-rate bills during the one-year enrollment period, any past-due balance you had before enrolling is wiped out. Miss any of those bills, though, and the pre-enrollment balance and accrued interest come back. A homeowner who fails to complete the program twice becomes ineligible. While enrolled, you’re also protected from penalties, interest, and debt collection.12City of Chicago Municipal Code. Municipal Code of Chicago, Section 11-12-545
Eligibility is limited to homeowners who live in a one-, two-, or three-unit building. Income limits are measured on a 30-day gross basis — for example, $3,332 per month for a single person or $6,407 for a household of four. Applications go through CEDA, the Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County, and there’s no fee to apply. You can apply whether you’re current on your bills or behind.13CEDA. Utility Billing Relief
If You Live in Suburban Cook County
The Cook County Water Affordability Program, funded with $11.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act dollars, is run by the nonprofit Elevate with the county’s Bureau of Economic Development.14CBS News Chicago. Cook County Program Water Bill Help
The relief piece targets municipalities with the highest shares of income-qualified census tracts. Residents in those areas who have past-due water balances are enrolled automatically, with no application required. A separate leak-repair component addresses high usage caused by running toilets, leaky faucets, and similar fixture problems. To check whether your municipality is included, email CCWaterAffordability@ElevateNP.org.15Cook County. Water Affordability Program
Smaller Local Programs
A few other Illinois places run their own programs worth checking:
- Evanston’s Access Evanston Affordable Water and Sewer Rate Program cuts water rates to $2.09 per 100 cubic feet (regular rate: $3.91) and sewer rates to $1.94 per 100 cubic feet (regular rate: $3.08). Income limits apply — $55,500 per year for a family of four, for instance. Enrollment is open year-round at Levy Senior Center, Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center, Robert Crown Community Center, and Prieto Community Center. Bring proof of income, residency, and a water utility statement.16City of Evanston. Affordable Water and Sewer Rate Program
- Normal Township offers up to $1,500 toward water bills for households at or below the poverty level that include at least one child under 18. Call the Normal Township Office at 309-452-2060.17Town of Normal. Water Bill Assistance
- Water utilities around the state regularly refer customers in trouble to their local township for general assistance, or to Catholic Charities and the Salvation Army for emergency help.18Cook County TAP. Water Customer Assistance Programs
If You’re Facing a Shutoff
Illinois rules under 83 Ill. Admin. Code 280.130 require water utilities to follow specific steps before disconnecting service:19Illinois Administrative Code. Ill. Admin. Code Tit. 83, Section 280.130
- Written notice at least 10 days before disconnection, sent separately from other mailings.
- A warning call at least 48 hours before, if the utility has your phone number, with a follow-up call 24 hours out if the first attempt fails.
- No disconnections after 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, after noon on Fridays, or on weekends and holidays, unless the utility can take payment and reconnect the same day.
You can also ask for a deferred payment arrangement if you haven’t defaulted on one in the previous 12 months. Standard terms are 25% down with the balance over 4 to 12 months. LIHEAP-eligible low-income customers get better terms: no more than 20% down, with 6 to 12 months to pay off the rest.20Illinois Legal Aid Online. How to Prevent a Shut Off by a Utility Company
A medical certificate from a physician will delay disconnection for 60 days if water service is needed to keep an existing serious illness from getting worse.19Illinois Administrative Code. Ill. Admin. Code Tit. 83, Section 280.130 A utility also can’t disconnect service while a billing dispute is pending, as long as you pay the undisputed portion of the bill.20Illinois Legal Aid Online. How to Prevent a Shut Off by a Utility Company
One boundary to be aware of: the weather-based moratoriums that block gas and electric shutoffs during extreme cold or heat do not apply to water service.19Illinois Administrative Code. Ill. Admin. Code Tit. 83, Section 280.130 Chicago is a partial exception for UBR enrollees. If your water provider is private and you have a billing complaint, the Citizens Utility Board runs a consumer hotline at 1-800-669-5556. CUB doesn’t have jurisdiction over municipal water departments, so for city- or village-run service you’ll need to contact the water department or your local officials.21Citizens Utility Board. Frequently Asked Questions
What to Have Ready When You Apply
Most programs ask for the same documents: proof of income for the past 30 days (pay stubs, Social Security award letters, or tax returns), a current water bill, identification such as a Social Security card or ITIN, and, if you rent, a copy of your lease. Residents without a Social Security number or ITIN are still encouraged to apply, regardless of immigration status.22Illinois DCEO. Help Illinois Families