Program

Philadelphia Water Tiered Assistance Program (TAP)

Verified · October 23, 2026 Deadline soon — check dates

Organization

Philadelphia Water Department / Water Revenue Bureau

Who qualifies

Philadelphia Water Department customers having trouble paying their water bill who are low income, seniors, or having a special hardship. Standard TAP eligibility is household income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level. Households above that limit may still qualify through Special Hardship for listed circumstances in the past 12 months, including a household that grew, job loss, serious illness, death of the primary wage earner, domestic violence, or high household expenses.

Income limits

Standard limit: household income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level (2026 monthly maxima: 1 person $1,995; 4 people $4,125). Tier caps on the fixed monthly bill (City TAP reporting): 2.0% of monthly income below 50% FPL, 2.5% at 50-100% FPL, and 3.0% at 100-150% FPL. Special Hardship households at 150-250% FPL may pay about 4% of household income.

Documents needed

Proof of residency dated in the last 12 months (such as a government photo ID showing your address, a utility bill, voter registration card, pay stub or tax record, bank statement, student loan bill, lease or rent receipt, or government award or benefit letter); name and date of birth for every person in the household; and proof of monthly income for every source of income for all household members (such as a prior-year federal tax return, a pay stub, or a benefit award letter). Special Hardship claims need added documentation for the hardship, such as a termination letter or unemployment printout for job loss, hospital records for serious illness, a death certificate, or documentation for domestic violence.

How to apply

Apply with the single Customer Assistance Application online, by mail, or with in-person help at a partner location. To have an application mailed to you, call (215) 685-6300; completed mail applications go to Water Revenue Bureau, Customer Assistance Application Processing Center, P.O. Box 51270, Philadelphia, PA 19115. For help finding a partner location, call 855-827-8373. Application questions can be emailed to watercap@phila.gov, but application materials cannot be submitted over email.

Last verified

October 23, 2026

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