Frequently asked questions

1. If you DO want the funds to be applied to your account, no action is required.
2. If you DO NOT want the funds, you have 7 days from the day you received the text message to text back "No" to let us know.
3. We will calculate your award amount automatically and send you a follow up text message letting you know the amount. You do not need to do anything else.
4. Your award amount will be sent directly to your water company and applied to your account. It can take up to 90 days for the money to be sent to the water company and be applied to your bill.

The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is a temporary, federally-funded program created to help low-income households with their water and wastewater bills. The program ends on March 31, 2024 or when the funds given to Hawaii have been depleted.

The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is administered by the Hawaii Department of Human Services with assistance from Promise Network.

Promise is a modern technology solutions company that works with utilities and government agencies around the country to provide payment flexibility for households who are having trouble paying their bills and streamlined relief distribution to those in need.

Promise is only handling automated applications for households that are "categorically eligible" for LIHWAP because they:

• Participate in LIHEAP;
• Are responsible for paying their home water or wastewater bills;
• Are a resident of Hawaii; and
• Are a U.S. citizen, qualified alien, or permanent resident of the U.S.

If you are eligible for a LIHWAP award processed by Promise, you will receive a text message letting you know. We are not currently accepting applications. If you would like to apply for LIHWAP, we encourage you to do so at your nearest community organization that is accepting applications. You can view the application and find your nearest office here.

Each household can receive LIHWAP once per calendar year. Therefore, as long as you have not received LIHWAP yet in 2024, you are still eligible for a new award.

If you received a text message from Promise, no action is required. You do not need to submit an application to receive LIHWAP, nor do you need to bring documentation to a community agency.

If you did not receive a text message and would like to apply for LIHWAP, we encourage you to do so at your nearest community organization that is accepting applications. You can view the application and find your nearest office here