Help on Tap - Customer Assistance Program

ACWD recognizes some customers may experience difficulty paying their water bills. Our customer assistance program, Help on Tap, will provide income-qualified residential customers a credit equal to 100% of the bimonthly water service charge, currently $68.95.

Your household may qualify if the total income does not exceed the income guidelines according to the chart below. If you feel you qualify, complete and return the downloadable application, or to request an application be mailed to you, please call 510.668.4200. Proof of income is required for approval. Typical ways to verify household income include providing your most recent tax return, Social Security statements, consecutive payments, proof of unemployment, or similar documents. Proof of enrollment by the applicant in Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKs, or SSI/SSP will be considered as qualifying for the Help on Tap program. For more information income eligibility, please refer to the program application.

If you are eligible for the program, you will be approved for a three year period, after which you will need to re-apply. 

Crisis Assistance Program

The District offers an assistance program for customers experiencing financial crisis. Up to $200 per two-year period is available for customers that meet the approval requirements for Help on Tap. Customers already enrolled in Help on Tap do not need to submit an additional application but can call District Customer Service to request assistance. Customers not enrolled in Help on Tap should apply using the standard Help on Tap application, and if approved they will be eligible for both programs. 

Income Guidelines

*Income guidelines are based on the greater of 50% Area Median income or 250% the Federal Poverty Level. Income before taxes based on all current income sources. Total household income must not exceed the income guidelines outlined above to qualify. Income guidelines subject to change.

Download Application

Help on Tap Program Application - English (PDF)

Help on Tap Program Application -  Español (Spanish) (PDF)

Help on Tap Program Application - 中文 (Chinese) (PDF)

Help on Tap Program Application - Tagalog (Tagalog) (PDF)

Help on Tap Program Application -한국어 (Korean) (PDF)

Help on Tap Program Application -Việt (Vietnamese) (PDF)

Help on Tap Program Application - فارسی (Farsi)(PDF)

Help on Tap Program Application - हिंदी (Hindi) (PDF)

Program Rules

• The water bill must be in your name.
• You must be a full-time resident at the address where the credit will be applied.
• You must only have one water service account with ACWD.
• You may not be claimed as a dependent on another person’s tax return.
• You must pay your bills by the due date.
• Your total combined household gross income must not exceed the ACWD income guidelines.
• You agree that if a water leak occurs at your residence, you will repair the leak promptly.
• You must notify ACWD immediately if your household no longer satisfies the ACWD income guidelines.
• You must renew your complete eligibility application every three years. 

Eligibility Guidelines

ACWD requires verification of household income and occupants. Household income is defined as the combined gross income of ALL persons who live in the household, whether taxable or non-taxable. Gross income includes, but is not limited to the total income from: wages, salaries, pensions, unemployment benefits, disability payments, workers compensation, gross income from self- employment (IRS Form 1040 Schedule C), child or spousal support, proceeds-sales price (IRS Form 1040 Schedule D), interest or dividends from savings accounts, stocks, bonds, retirement accounts, rent or royalty income, cash income or gifts, scholarships, grants, or other aid used for living expenses, insurance or legal settlements, Social Security, SSI, SSP, food stamps, or TANF (AFDC).

Anyone receiving the HOT discount and found to be in violation of program rules will be removed from the program and may be liable for repayment of the credit from the time that the credit was applied.