Pallone: I’m Working with HHS to Make Sure New Jersey Does Not Lose Federal Funding for Household Water Service

Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ-06) today vowed to push the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure that New Jersey does not lose its share of federal funding for the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). New Jersey is danger of losing the federal funding allocated for this program if the state does not use it. Pallone's office is also actively demanding that the Department of Community Affairs and utility companies in New Jersey work together and come to an agreement so that they do not miss the funding deadline.

The program is designed to help low-income families assist paying their water bills or restore service quickly if it has been disconnected. As then-Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Pallone created the program in the final omnibus federal spending bill for Fiscal Year 2021 in December 2020. He then fought to include additional funding for the program as part of the American Rescue Plan in 2021.

"We cannot turn our back on families whose water service has been disconnected or who could potentially lose service, which is exactly why I fought to establish this program," Pallone said. "I will continue to work with state and federal partners to ensure this program is working as Congress intended so that families in New Jersey and across the country can get the help they need affording their water bills."

According to recent reports, an estimated 144,000 families in New Jersey are behind on their water bills, putting them at risk of losing water service completely. New Jersey received $24 million for LIHWAP to help these families pay their water bills or receive help if their service has been disconnected, but, unfortunately, only 2,000 families have so far received assistance. Eligible families are able to access up to $5,000 from the program to help pay water bills or prevent service disconnection.