Water bills are one of the most affordable bills that seniors will receive on a monthly basis. However, that doesn’t mean they will not struggle to get them paid. If they are living on a fixed income they may experience financial challenges at times. The good news is that there are programs that offer help with paying water bills for seniors and others.
We all need water. It doesn’t matter what state you live in, you have to have access to water. Homes need water so that people can wash themselves and keep their homes clean. Additional water may be used on things like watering the lawn and washing vehicle. It doesn’t matter so much where the water is being used, the important thing is that the bill continues to be paid, so that the home will not lose their source of water.
The average monthly water bill is around $60, depending on which state you live in. Some states have bills that are a little higher, and some that are a little lower. If your bill usually runs somewhere around here and you suddenly get a really high bill that seems unusual, investigate it. There are times when a water pipe will break and create a leak that leads to large bills. You may get the city to help you with that excessive bill if the leak was through no fault of your own and is addressed in a timely manner.
If someone does not pay their water bill then they are risking having the water supply cut off. The city or county that supplies the water will only let the water bill get so far behind before they send a shut off notice and then finally cut the supply off. It is best to get it addressed before it gets to that point, so there is no disruption in service and you won’t incur any type of shut off or re-connection fees.
Getting Water Bill Assistance
Any senior who feels they are struggling to pay their water bill should first contact the city works department, which is where the water is usually being supplied from. Discuss the issue with them so they know you are struggling to pay the bill. They may have options to help you pay the bill or put you on a payment plan to make it more manageable. Always start by contacting them to inform them and see what can be done. You may be surprised at some of the options they have that can help with the situation.
Here are some additional places to contact to get help with paying the water bill:
Salvation Army – With locations around the country, this organization is able to help many people. They will help with paying smaller bills, such as the water bill, as well as provide free food, shelter, and clothing. Find a location near you to inquire about if they will help with paying a water bill for a senior. If they do not have a program there that will help, they may be able to refer you to another program that can. To get more information and find your local Salvation Army, click here.
211 – The United Way organization has created this service to help people around the nation. It is a free referral service that is open to anyone who needs to find financial assistance. You can call the number and let them know you are a senior who needs help paying for a water bill. They will check their database to see if there programs they can refer you that can help pay the bill. To get more information about the program, click here.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families – While this program often focuses on families, those who have children ages 18 and under, they do, at times, provide general assistance to those who do not have younger children. The program is federally funded and will provide those who qualify with a cash payment that can be used for things like paying the water bill. There is a five-year limit for using this program in most states. To qualify, you have to meet the low-income requirements and be a citizen or legal non-citizen. To get more information and apply, click here.
Senior Centers – Contact your local senior centers to see if they have programs or referrals to programs that can help with water bill payment assistance. There are senior centers around the country, especially near cities. They are there to help support seniors in the community and bring them together. They are often a great place to contact for information about local resources.
Additional Options for Getting Help
It is always a good idea to check with churches and non-profit organizations in your area to see if any have programs that will help pay for the water bill. Seniors do not have to be members of the church to inquire about getting assistance. There are churches around the country, and they often have programs in place to help the people in the community who are struggling financially.
Contact the churches to see if they have a program that will help with paying the water bill, or if they can refer you to a program that will help. They may be able to take donations from their congregation to help with getting the bill paid if they don’t have a program in place that does this for seniors.
Non-profit organizations are a great resource in the community that will often help seniors with getting things paid, like their water bills. Contact the organizations to inquire about the ways that they help seniors and if they can provide assistance with paying the water bill. If they cannot help, then perhaps they can refer you to a local program that will be able to. The more places you reach out to, the better, because it helps ensure you will get the financial assistance you need and will be able to keep the clean water flowing.