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Detroit Water & Sewage Department (DWSD) Lifeline Plan

Thank you for your interest in the DWSD Lifeline Plan. Administration and supports for the Lifeline Program have been transferred to DWSD beginning October 1, 2025.

If you have a past due balance and are concerned with a water shutoff, we encourage you to contact DWSD at DivDat Kiosk network, DWSD portal or call 313-267-8000 to enroll in EasyPay. If you have an online account you can enroll at csportal.detroitmi.gov. The EasyPay program will allow you to pay off your past due balance over 36 months, preventing a water shutoff.

The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) Lifeline Plan is Detroit’s new water affordability program. Receive an affordable fixed bill based on household income and size, and get up to 1,125 gallons of indoor water usage per household member per month.

APPLY FOR THE LIFELINE PLAN

ABOUT THE DWSD LIFELINE PLAN

Benefits

  • Get water shutoff protection
  • Have your past due balance erased for good
  • Receive an affordable fixed bill based on household income and size, and get up to 1,125 gallons of indoor water usage per household member per month
  • Eligible for minor plumbing repairs for high water usage

Tier Levels

Review the tier levels below to see your monthly payment based on income level.

TIER 1

135% Federal Poverty Level

You Pay Monthly:

$18

For Water, Sewer, and Drainage if your income is:

TIER 2

136-150% Federal Poverty Level

You Pay Monthly:

$43

For Water, Sewer, and Drainage if your income is:

TIER 3

151-200% Federal Poverty Level

You Pay Monthly:

$56

For Water, Sewer, and Drainage if your income is:

Eligibility

  • Low income-eligible households
  • Households receiving SNAP/FAP benefits
  • The 2,500 households currently enrolled in WRAP (Water Residential Assistance Program) will be auto-enrolled in the new plan beginning today
  • The 19,000-plus households who were previously in WRAP can immediately qualify and will be contacted by Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency

DWSD LIFELINE FLYERS

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

HOW TO SUBMIT

Thank you for your interest in the DWSD Lifeline Plan. Currently, we are pausing accepting new applications due to the overwhelming demand and until additional funding becomes available from state, federal or philanthropic sources.  We will continue enrollments when additional funding is made available. 

If you have a past due balance and are concerned with a water shutoff, we encourage you to contact DWSD at 313-267-8000 to enroll in EasyPay or if you have an online account you can enroll at csportal.detroitmi.gov. The EasyPay program will allow you to pay off your past due balance over 36 months, preventing a water shutoff. 

Apply for the DWSD Lifeline Plan or call our Connect Center.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The Detroit Tax Relief Fund was created by the Gilbert Family Foundation and Rocket Community Fund to eliminate remaining delinquent property taxes for Detroit homeowners who have been approved for Homeowners Property Exemption (HOPE) program and the Pay As You Stay (PAYS) program.

If you are a Detroit homeowner struggling with your property taxes, you may be eligible. Please call 313-244-0274 to learn more.

Interested residents should call 313-244-0274 to confirm eligibility.

The Homeowners Property Exemption (HOPE) program is a City of Detroit program that helps low-income homeowners eliminate or lower their CURRENT year property taxes. The Pay As You Stay (PAYS) program is administered by the Wayne County Treasurer’s office and reduces back taxes owed by homeowners who have been granted a HOPE. You must be granted a HOPE in order to be eligible for PAYS.

PAYS is available only to homeowners who have been granted an HOPE. To get help applying for the HOPE program call 313-244-0274 to be connected to organizations that can help you apply.

Yes. You need to submit a HOPE application annually to remain exempt.

A Wayne Metro representative or HOPE Counseling Network partner will reach out to help actively guide you through the full application process!

DWSD Lifeline Plan

WAYNE METRO & DWSD IS HERE TO HELP!

Click here to apply!

DWSD Lifeline Plan Flyer
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DWSD Lifeline Plan Flyer
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DWSD Lifeline Plan Flyer
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DWSD Lifeline Plan Flyer
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Translations for the DWSD Lifeline Plan Flyer are available in Spanish, French, and Arabic.

The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) Lifeline Plan is Detroit’s new water affordability program. Receive an affordable fixed bill based on household income and size, and get up to 1,125 gallons of indoor water usage per household member per month

The DWSD Lifeline Plan’s three tiers:

BENEFITS

  • Get water shutoff protection
  • Have your past due balance erased for good
  • Receive an affordable fixed bill based on household income and size, and get up to 1,125 gallons of indoor water usage per household member per month
  • Eligible for minor plumbing repairs for high water usage

Tier Levels 

  • If your household income is at or below 135% FPL or you receive SNAP/FAP – You pay $18
  • If your household income is above 135% FPL but at/or below 150% FPL – You pay $43 
  • If your household income is above 150% FPL but at/or below 200% FPL– You pay $56

ELIGIBILITY

  • Low income-eligible households
  • Households receiving SNAP/FAP benefits
  • The 2,500 households currently enrolled in WRAP (Water Residential Assistance Program) will be auto-enrolled in the new plan beginning today
  • The 19,000-plus households who were previously in WRAP can immediately qualify and will be contacted by Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

  • Photo ID (City, State or Federally issued, Detroit ID, or Passport – U.S. or foreign)

  • Current water bill

  • Proof of most recent 30 days income

PREPARING FOR YOUR APPLICATION:

Below are some of the documents we may ask for in the application.

If you have these documents, it may help to gather this information before you apply.

If you do not have these documents, you can still apply.

– Social Security Number (may show Social Security card or a legal document with SSN, such as previous or current year tax form, school document, health document, Social Security award letter, etc.)

– Evidence of categorical eligibility (if applicable, e.g. may show SNAP/FAP MDHHS Food Assistance benefit letter)

Need help filling out an application?
You can contact Wayne Metro’s CONNECT Center at
(313) 386-9727 or wmconnectcenter@waynemetro.org

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