More than 100 Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County customers have received nearly $31,000 since the start of this year from a new federal program to help low-income residents pay delinquent water and sewer bills.

The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program was authorized last year and funded through two federal bills, including the covid-­relief effort signed into law in 2021. It authorized more than $1.1 billion to ensure water continued flowing to low-­income homes, with an estimated $45 million earmarked for Pennsylvania.

The program, which started in January, prevented water service shutoffs for more than 100 local residents, said Brian Hohman, the authority’s business manger. More are expected in the coming months.

“It seems like the program is working,” Hohman said.

The authority sells water to more than 122,000 customers in Allegheny, Armstrong, Fayette, Indiana and Westmoreland counties. It also has nearly 30,000 sewer customers.

The federal assistance program provides grants up to $2,500 to ensure water and sewer service continues. Customers who meet eligibility requirements can receive two grants, one for each service. The money is paid directly to service providers such as the authority, but customers are responsible for submitting the application for the funds.

Homeowners and renters who have a household income of 150% of the poverty level are eligible for the program. A household of four with an annual income of up to $39,750 can receive funds, according to information posted on the state’s Department of Human Services website.

The program is slated to end Sept. 30, 2023.

Applications to apply for the water and sewer grants as well as other assistance programs to help pay for home heating costs and emergency rental aid can be accessed through the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services website at 222.compass.state.pa.us.

Over the past month, Hohman said, authority customers in danger of having water and sewer service shut off because of unpaid bills have been directed to apply for the federal grants.

The authority did not shut off service to customers for nearly a year after the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. It resumed initiating shutoffs in 2021, Hohman said.

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