The City of Philadelphia offers water bill help to low-income households and senior citizens. But residents experiencing a “special hardship” can also get temporary assistance while they get back on their feet.
What does the City consider to be a “special hardship”? You can apply when you’ve faced one of these circumstances in the past 12 months:
- Household grew: A new baby was born, or a family member moved in
- Job loss: The main income-earner was out of work for four months
- Serious illness: Customer or family member has a life-threatening condition
- Family loss: Household’s primary income-earner passed away
- Domestic violence: Customer spent time in a shelter because of domestic violence
- Household expenses: A household’s basic expenses are higher than its income
But even if you’re not facing one of these hardships, we may still be able to help. The Water Revenue Bureau reviews applications case-by-case, just reach out to us.
Receiving water bill help is not automatic. You must apply and provide certain documents. Be ready to present the following:
- For increase in household size: birth or adoption certificate for a child, or other documentation for an adult that joins your home
- For job loss: employment termination letter or unemployment compensation printout
- For serious illness: hospital admission or discharge documentation
- For death of the household’s primary wage earner: death certificate
- For victims of domestic violence or abuse: safe harbor program admission documentation
- Proof of current monthly household expenses, including most recent bills or statements for housing, utilities, medical, or childcare
- Proof of recent hardship claim approval by a state or local agency
For more information about the special hardship program, please call (215) 685-6300.
Photo credit: Jason Sandeman/Flickr
