If you are struggling to pay your water bill due to a hardship, the City of Philadelphia may be able to help you. Events such as losing your job, or a change in your household size may qualify you for assistance. Our water bill assistance programs make water bills affordable for eligible customers.
You may qualify if:
- Your family’s main income-earner is out of job or dies
- Your family grows – either due to the birth of a baby or a family member moving in
- You have a life-threatening medical condition exceeding nine months
- You spent time in a shelter due to domestic violence or abuse
If you recently experienced any of these hardships, you should apply and provide one of the following documents:
- Termination letter to prove job loss
- Hospital admission or discharge documents to prove serious illness
- Birth or adoption certificate to show household size increase
- Death certificate to prove the death of main income earner
- Safe harbor documents to show shelter admission due to abuse
- Copies of most recent bills, including utilities, medical, or childcare to show household expenses.
Even if you’re not facing hardship and can pay your water bills, you may still qualify for assistance. For example, senior citizens, or low income households can apply for lower monthly water bills.
Apply online
Submit your completed application form and documents online. This is the fastest and easiest way to apply. You can also attach documents as screenshots or pictures from your phone.
If you do not have internet, please call (215) 685-6300 to have an application mailed to you.
We review applications case-by-case. If approved, the assistance will show as a discount on a future water bill. We may request recertification to continue receiving this discount.
For more information about our water bill assistance program, visit Water bill customer assistance | Service | City of Philadelphia
Got water bill questions? Call (215)-685-6300 or email us at wrbhelpdesk@phila.gov for all the help you need.
For application questions, please email us at watercap@phila.gov
