WSSC Water Commissioners Expand Financial Assistance Programs to Help More Customers

Laurel, Md. – November 17, 2023 – WSSC Water Commissioners recently approved several measures to enhance the utility’s portfolio of financial assistance programs to help more income-constrained customers pay their water/sewer bills. The approval includes an extension to enrollment in the Customer Assistance Program (CAP), creating a leak repair program for CAP-enrolled customers and enhancements to high bill adjustments for those enrolled in CAP. 

"As Prince George’s and Montgomery County families continue to struggle to make ends meet, we are pleased to offer these enhanced financial assistance benefits to help more customers pay their water/sewer bills,” said WSSC Water Commission Chair Regina Speed-Bost. "I thank management for their efforts to think of new and creative ways to expand programs that help our most vulnerable customers.”   
 

"We continue to ensure affordability is at the forefront of our efforts to deliver essential water and wastewater services to our 1.9 million customers,” said WSSC Water General Manager and CEO Kishia L. Powell. "I thank our Commissioners for approving these financial assistance program enhancements and for their ongoing leadership and guidance for water affordability.” 

Details on the assistance program enhancements and effective dates are as follows:  

Enhanced Bill Adjustment Program 

• Effective January 1, 2024, CAP, non-CAP and single-unit commercial customers impacted by certain eligible high bills may qualify for an adjustment for up to two consecutive billing periods.    
• CAP customers will now qualify for a high bill adjustment if the high usage is at least 2.5 times greater  than their historical usage.  
• The program adds a sewer-only adjustment for water lost to a leak that does not enter the sewer system. Example: A leak from an outside hose bib – resulting in water leaking to the ground and not returning to the wastewater collection system.  

• To be eligible, a receipt from a plumber or sworn customer affidavit is required.  

  
  Customer Assistance Program (CAP) Extension 

• Effective July 1, 2024, enrollment for CAP customers will be extended from one year to two years. CAP customers typically have to reenroll beginning every July 1 through the Maryland Department of Human Services’ Office of Home Energy Programs. Interested customers can apply here. 

New CAP Leak Repair Program  

• CAP-enrolled customers impacted by an on-property leak will be eligible to participate in this new program, which is expected to be rolled out in fall 2024.    
• The new program will be administered by a third-party nonprofit selected by WSSC Water and repairs must be made by a WSSC Water-registered plumber.  
• The total cost of services provided to any CAP customer cannot exceed $9,000 

Customers can visit wsscwater.com/assistance to learn about all of WSSC Water’s assistance programs, including state and county programs available or sign up for WSSC Water’s Customer Connect newsletter to receive information about assistance program updates and more.