Help with rising cost of water bills available now

Blue Water Community Action taking applications

By Barb Pert Templeton

“Helping people, changing lives.”

It’s the tag line utilized by the Blue Water Community Action Agency in Port Huron and with a $4.6 million annual budget to assist those in need via 14 different programs the non-profit definitely works to deliver assistance across the county.

In fact, the agency has a 60-year history of successfully providing a variety of programs that assist low-income individuals, seniors and families to become economically self-sufficient, according to its website.

Service areas include housing, economic self-sufficiency and health and nutrition. Those helping hands extend to such things as foreclosure prevention counseling, income tax preparation and even a diaper bank, to name just a few categories.

Blue Water Healthy Living caught up with Karen L. Lake, executive director of Blue Water Community Action agency to pose some specific questions about the agencies Water Affordability Assistance Program.

Blue Water Healthy Living: Who’s eligible for this Water Affordability Assistance Program?

Karen L. Lake, executive director of Blue Water Community Action Agency:

· St. Clair County Resident

· US Citizenship

· At or below 200% poverty OR;

· Recipient of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Supplemental Security Income, State Emergency Relief, Food Assistance Program/Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Weatherization Assistance Program, Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

BWHL: What are the parameters for approval?

Lake: Must apply first with MDHHS for State Emergency Relief and provide the decision letter

· Completed agency application and water assessment

· Proof of income for previous 30 days including the date of the application, OR;

Proof of receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Supplemental Security Income, State Emergency Relief, Food Assistance

Program/Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Weatherization Assistance Program, Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

· Proof of residency with address matching utility bill

· Proof of Citizenship

· Water/Wastewater bill in arrears matching the ID

Rental Agreement if the bill is in the landlords name but the applicant is responsible for paying the utility

BWHL: The flyer states “citizenship” for all household members – is that a solid requirement?

Lake: Yes

BWHL: So, if say a first-generation household member isn’t a citizen then assistance can be denied for everyone at the residence?

Lake: Yes

BWHL: What is the standard level of monetary assistance for a county resident? (i.e. so much per month or a percentage of the current bill ?

Lake: For eligible applicants, monetary assistance can go up to $3000 per program year. Exceptions can be requested and submitted to the state for approval for amounts over the cap.

BWHL: What are the rules for providing ongoing assistance – only so many dollars provided per zip code or is it unlimited or?

Lake: Until program the funding is exhausted.

BWHL: What would you say the turn-around time is for applicants – from request for assistance to a decision and actual monetary help?

Lake: This would depend on how quickly the applicant completes and submits all required documents. Anywhere from one day to two weeks. The application is open for 30-days.

BWHL: Can you share some statistic about BWCAA – budget? How many people they assist annually? How many different programs? How many employees?

Lake: Blue Water Community Action’s FY26 budget is $4.62 million. The number of programs vary on time of year and available funding we currently have 14 programs. Last fiscal year we processed over 2,400 applications for the various programs. We currently have 22 staff members.

Blue Water Community Action Agency is located at 3403 Lapeer Road Port Huron, MI 48060. Reach them by phone at (810)455-6410 or visit them online at bwcaa.org.