Low-income household water assistance program: What to know [Video]

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Many families across California are struggling to afford their residential water and sewage bills.

“With energy costs going up, your water bill is going to go up as well,” said Keith Taylor, UC Davis professor of cooperative extension and community economic development.

It’s why there’s a state program to help called the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program. It’s federally funded and offers one-time support to help low-income households pay past due or current water and sewage bills to keep their water on.

“The impact is huge,” said Taylor. “It keeps them from going into debt. It keeps them from having bad credit, and it allows them to get the basics…paying for their rent, paying for medication, paying for their food.”

To be eligible, an individual must …