Facing a water shut-off? This new Kansas program could help
A new federal grant provides $9 million to the state of Kansas to assist households facing a water shut-off. The Emergency Water Assistance Program (EWAP) provides a one-time payment directly to water utility companies for households that are behind on their water bills. Here’s a closer look at the program.
How do I apply for assistance?
The EWAP program is currently accepting applications as of Dec. 1, and will process them until the grant money is depleted. Applicants must fill out the application form and email it to DCF.WaterApplications@ks.gov. If you prefer to fill out the application on paper, you can print it out, complete it by hand and either mail or fax it to your local Department of Children and Families (DCF) office. You can find your local office on the Kansas DCF website.
Who is eligible?
Applicants for EWAP money must be residents of Kansas whose drinking water or wastewater services have already been shut off or will be shut off in the next 30 days. Households must also have a total income below 150% of the federal poverty level, which is $3,313 a month for a family of four.
While only one member of a household must be a U.S. citizen in order to apply for EWAP, all household members must be legal residents of the U.S. This means that households with any undocumented individuals are not eligible for assistance.
What costs can EWAP money cover?
The one-time assistance payment can cover overdue water bills, reconnection of your water if it has been shut off, delinquency fees and service fees. It cannot be used to pay for repairs to damaged water or sewer lines.
If your application is approved, the DCF will notify you by mail and send your EWAP assistance payment directly to your water company. You will not receive any money directly.
What documents do I need in order to apply?
In order to fill out the EWAP application, you will need to know the full name, date of birth and Social Security number of everyone in your household. You will also need to provide the account numbers and contact information of the utility companies that provide your drinking water and wastewater services.
The following documents are also required by the application:
A disconnect notice stating that your water has been disconnected or will be disconnected in the next 30 days
The last 30 days of pay stubs for each job worked by each member of your household
Proof of income such as last year’s tax returns or three months of business income and expenses for each self-employed member of your household
Award letters or other proof of income for all other income types that anyone in your household receives, including Social Security benefits, SSI, child support, alimony, unemployment benefits, VA benefits, pensions and income interest over $50 per month
Have you applied?
This program is new, and the Service Journalism team wants to hear about your experiences. Contact us with any questions, problems or comments about the application process and the assistance you receive at kcq@kcstar.com. You can also fill out the form below to share your thoughts.
This story was originally published December 1, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
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