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Payment Assistance Programs
Western offers several options for customers to request assistance in paying their water and/or wastewater (sewer) bill. Browse through the options below to see which might best suit your needs. You may also call Western's Customer Service team Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., to discuss these options.
- Payment Arrangements
- Low-Income Bill Payment Assistance
- Riverside County Low Income Household Water Assistance Program
- County of Riverside Emergency Rental Assistance Program/United Lift
- California COVID-19 Rent and Utility Relief Program
- California Water and Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program
Make a payment arrangement.
If you need more time to pay your bill, don't wait until you are past due, let Western know immediately. You can schedule a payment for a future date or commit to a payment schedule.
Contact Western's Customer Service team Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., at 951.571.7104 or via email to billing@wmwd.com.
See if you qualify for Western's Low-Income Bill Payment Assistance Program.
Western offers bill payment assistance to qualified low-income residential water and wastewater (sewer) customers. Customers can receive up to $150, or the total amount due on the bill, whichever is less. The maximum amount allowable assistance per 12-month period is $150.
To qualify for assistance, you must be a current participant of the CARE program offered by your gas or electric company and meet the following requirements:
- Your account is past due.
- You can provide a copy of your most recent natural gas or electric bill showing you receive a CARE discount.
- The name and service address on the gas or electric bill must match the name and service address on the water bill. If the names do not match, the name on the gas or electric bill must be added to the water account using our Addition of Customer Name to Water Account form.
- Assistance cannot be used toward payment of a deposit.
Assistance is subject to funding availability.
If you would like to apply for assistance or have additional questions, please contact Western's Customer Service team at 951.571.7104 or via email to billing@wmwd.com.
See if you qualify for the statewide Low Income Household Water Assistance Program administered by the Community Action Partnership of Riverside County.
What is the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)?
The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is a temporary emergency program to help low-income families with assistance on past due water and sewer bills - up to $2,000. LIHWAP is a grant. You do not have to repay it.
To receive assistance, you must:
- Be a Riverside County resident;
- Have an unpaid water or sewer bill; and
- Meet the income guidelines.
How do I apply?
Call the Riverside County Community Action Partnership at 951.955.4900 to request an application or apply online at www.CAPRiverside.org.
To apply, you will need:
- Names of the people in your household;
- Picture ID and social security card of the person applying;
- Last four weeks of income for all household members;
- Water/sewer bill; and
- Proof of citizenship.
More rental and utility assistance resources now available for Riverside County families
United Lift is a joint effort by Lift to Rise, Inland SoCal United Way, and the County of Riverside. The program provides one-time rental assistance support to cover up to 12 months of unpaid rent during the period between March 13, 2020 until the time of application, plus an additional three months of future rent.
Eligibility is limited to renters in Riverside County with a current lease agreement who are earning 80 percent or below of the area’s median income and can document a loss of income due to COVID-19 economic impacts that leave them unable to make their rent. Assistance is provided without regard to immigration status.
- Priority will be given to households with incomes less than 50 percent of the area median income, as well as households with one or more adults that have not been employed during the 90 days prior to submitting their application.
Landlords with tenants with unpaid debt balances are encouraged to notify their tenants about this program.
Applications for the next round of United Lift rental assistance are now available to Riverside County residents. The program will continue until funds are depleted, or until December 31, 2021, whichever happens first.
More information on eligibility guidelines and the application portal can be found at UnitedLift.org. In-person application events will be scheduled for this spring and beyond.
Need help with unpaid rent or utilities?
The CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program provides financial assistance for rent and utilities to income-eligible California renters and their landlords who have been impacted by COVID-19.
Both renters and landlords can apply for assistance.
Depending on the address of your rental property, you may be eligible for a local program.
Apply now
This NEW program will offer financial assistance for California water and wastewater customers for debts incurred from March 4, 2020, to June 15, 2021.
Administered by the State Water Board, the CWWAPP program dedicates nearly $1 billion in federal funding to provide financial relief to residential and commercial customers. Water and wastewater utility customers do not need to apply to receive assistance under the CWWAPP program.
If a customer’s account is eligible, a credit will be automatically applied to some or all of the customer’s bill, depending on the availability of funds and the combined needs of all utility customers.