At Cal Water, we understand that sometimes our customers face financial hardships. That’s why we offer the Cal Water Cares Hardship Program (CAP), formerly known as LIRA, designed to provide assistance with your water bills. We are committed to supporting our customers and ensuring access to safe and reliable water service. Please note that the online application is currently undergoing updates and will be available on or after February 26th. In the meantime, all required recertifications have been extended, and your CAP discount will continue without interruption during this update. You can still apply by mail using the PDF form available for download below.
Understanding the Cal Water Cares Hardship Program (CAP)
The Cal Water Cares Hardship Program is a California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved initiative to help eligible, low-income customers manage their water expenses. This program provides a significant benefit: a fixed monthly discount equal to 50% of the 5/8 x 3/4-inch meter service charge. This discount can make a real difference in your monthly budget, helping to ensure you can maintain essential water services for your household. This program is available to individually metered residential customers throughout California who meet specific criteria.
Eligibility Requirements for the Hardship Program
To determine if you qualify for the Cal Water Cares Hardship Program discount, please review the following requirements:
Basic Requirements
- Account Holder: The Cal Water account must be in your name.
- Primary Residence: You must reside at the address where the discounted water service will be received.
- Enrollment in Assistance Program or Income Qualification: Eligibility is based on either enrollment in a qualified public assistance program by someone in your household OR meeting specific household income guidelines.
- Proof of Eligibility: After enrolling, you may be asked to provide documentation to verify your eligibility.
- Recertification: To continue receiving the discount, you will need to recertify your eligibility every two years. Customers over 62 years of age or those with disabilities recertify every four years.
- Notification of Ineligibility: You are required to inform Cal Water if your household no longer meets the eligibility requirements for the CAP discount.
Qualified Assistance Programs
You are automatically eligible for the Cal Water Cares Hardship Program if someone in your household is enrolled in one or more of the following qualified assistance programs:
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- CalFresh SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
- CalWORKS/Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- CARE (California Alternate Rates for Energy – gas & electric company discount)
- Head Start Income Eligible (Tribal only)
- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- Medicaid/Medi-Cal for Families A & B
- National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Tribal TANF
- Women, Infants, & Children Program (WIC)
Income Guidelines
If you are not enrolled in a qualified assistance program, you may still be eligible for the Cal Water Cares Hardship Program based on your household income. The maximum gross annual income guidelines are listed below and are effective from June 1, 2024, to May 31, 2025:
| Household Size | 1-2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Combined Annual Gross Income | $40,880 | $51,640 | $62,400 | $73,160 | $83,920 | $94,680 | $105,440 |
(For households with more than 8 members, add $10,760 for each additional person.)
It’s important to note that the Cal Water Cares Hardship Program discount is not retroactive. If your application is approved, the discount will begin in the billing cycle following the month Cal Water receives your completed application.
How to Apply for the Cal Water Cares Hardship Program
While the online application is temporarily unavailable for updates, you can still apply for the Cal Water Cares Hardship Program by mail.
To apply by mail:
- Download the CAP application form (PDF) from the Cal Water website.
- Complete the application form accurately and thoroughly.
- Mail the completed application to the address specified on the form.
Please check back on or after February 26th to submit your application online once the system update is complete.
Recertification and Program Updates
Remember that you are required to recertify your eligibility for the Cal Water Cares Hardship Program every two years (or four years for customers over 62 or disabled). Cal Water will notify you when it’s time to recertify. It is also your responsibility to inform Cal Water if your household circumstances change and you no longer qualify for the program. Staying proactive ensures the program can continue to assist those who truly need it.
Contact Cal Water for Assistance
If you have any questions regarding the Cal Water Cares Hardship Program or the application process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Cal Water. You can contact us via email at [email protected] or call us toll-free at (877) 419-1701. We are here to help you through the process and provide the support you need.
We at Cal Water care deeply about our customers and are dedicated to providing affordable and essential water services to our communities. The Cal Water Cares Hardship Program is one way we demonstrate this commitment.
