Kansas residents who have had their drinking water or wastewater service disconnected during the COVID-19 pandemic may qualify for a new program administrated by the state.
The Department for Children and Families is spearheading the Emergency Water Assistance Program, a temporary federal program authorized earlier this year through the American Rescue Plan and Consolidated Appropriations Act.
Qualifying households must meet certain criteria:
*Households must either be currently disconnected or have received a disconnection notice
*At least one adult household member must be responsible for drinking water costs, wastewater costs or both to pay either to the landlord or the water utility
*At least one household member must be a US resident or meet lawful residence requirements
*Combined household gross income must be equal to or less than 150 percent of the federal poverty level
Residents meeting these criteria or curious about the program can go online to www.dcf.ks.gov/EWAP or go to the DCF Emporia Service Center at 1701 Wheeler for information. Currently, $9 million is available for qualifying households, but the program ends when all the money is claimed.
