Who Helps with the Water Bill?

Updated on September 01, 2011
G.M. asks from Peoria, AZ
10 answers

We are in an extreme situation, as I know a lot of families are. We are in dire need of help with paying our water bill.
My husband lost his job back in january and we have been struggling ever since. Several apps and several interviews but no bites with jobs. We are at wits end of what to do now. We were referred to this one place by DES to help with the water bill, and we spent over an hour getting a hold of this place this morning, only to find out they 'do not' help with the water bill. The city is going to shut our water off today. We don't know where else to turn.
Anyone out there know what we can do?

EDIT: We have already talked with the city and we have already been making payments to them. We just got way too far behind on our bill and they don't want to work with us anymore. With unemployment, we are only able to make 10 to sometimes 20 dollar payments to all our bills.

NOTE: Salvation Army will only help with Electric. We'll be calling them soon. lol The websites we have tried all reverts us back to where we started and have been already. Unfortunately they say they help with water, but they don't. Not sure why they would advertise that when they don't help. We called and we get routed right back where we started. It's a mess. I will see about the Churches. Thank you so much for sending me the numbers to those Churches. :-)

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So What Happened?

Called the Churches and they can't help. Either they don't have the means to, and others said that they only help their members. Back to the drawing board. oye

More Answers

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C.C.

answers from Dallas on

I don't know how the water department works but I worked for a few doctors through the years and more than one of them told me that as long as you are keeping the payments "active", that they can't do anything to you legally. Even if you are paying $1.00/ month is keeping the service active. Of course they won't tell you that. We have a couple of hospital bills that are thousands of dollars. They want us (of course) to pay them in full. Needless to say, we only pay them $20-$50 dollars a month. We told them that is what we can afford and we have not had anymore problems with them. The best of luck to you.

2 moms found this helpful

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

Find out exactly whaat $$ amount they need in payment from you to keep your account active and pay that amount.

Go to your church, outreach center, etc to get help.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.M.

answers from Phoenix on

Hi G.,
So Sorry, I totally understand. Unfortunately, my hubby and I have been there more times that I care to remember or admit. So I really do mean it when I say I understand.

What we did: PRAY! God is ABLE! This is when miracles happen when you give GOD and opportunity to work. I can't think of a better time for a miracle than when your back is against a wall.

Also, we have had to borrow and God came through with providing family that had the money or friends. In fact, one time my husband was at the Water Co. out here to pay the bill and did not have it to pay it. He tries to find a card that miraculously could possibly go through when the woman comes back she said your bill has been "paid" in FULL! What? This man here just paid your bill. My husband with tears in his eyes turns to thank the man as well as my 11 yr. old daughter who was with him. He looks at my daughter and says no problem sweetie. Someday you'll be able to BLESS someone else. It was a MIRACLE! I could hardly believe it when my husband and daughter came home to tell me. So always give God a chance and TRUST HIM.

Also, because we have been here also. I had someone tell me that it is against the law here in AZ to shut off your water because of the heat. But I never found out "where" to get info. on that to verify. Definitely, worth looking into. Possibly where Hudmuffin Mom directed you with that website that seems like an Awesome reference.

Hope this helps!

Miracle Mom

1 mom found this helpful
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M.J.

answers from Sacramento on

Have you talked to the city about a possible payment plan?

1 mom found this helpful
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J.H.

answers from Flagstaff on

Just so you know, it is not against any law to shut off your utilities if you are not paying them, so some of the posters who have said that are wrong. I have had all of my utilities shut off at one point or another. I have never gotten help from anyone to pay the bills so I am not sure exactly where to go. But I have heard that Catholic Community Services usually is willing to help people with their utility bills and even rent. I don't know how to contact them but I am sure you can google them or look in the phone book or go to DES and ask them.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I think it's illegal to turn off someone's water--sanitary reasons...do you own or rent?

Have you checked with United Way, the TANF program, local churches?

Ask the exact amount you need to pay to stop the shut off.

1 mom found this helpful
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E.F.

answers from Phoenix on

Contact Corpus Christi Church ###-###-#### they have helped me. They will most likely pay to get you current. Mountain Park Community Church ###-###-#### Salvation Army ###-###-#### They all 3 help with utilities and rent. Food boxes Chandler Christian Community Center ###-###-#### Hope that helps!

1 mom found this helpful

R.B.

answers from La Crosse on

They can turn your water off... lights off... heat off.. even with kids in the house no matter how hot or cold it is out. sucks!! We have been there more than once with out water. Thankfully no more than a week. If we couldn't get it back on we have went to a local church and explain what is going on ( when my parents couldn't help). I have had to show them the bill and they have helped. Even with the reconnection fee's. Its not a proud thing to have to do, but you do what needs to be done. We also made a point to pay them back. Normally we would send a check for what ever amount we could afford. It took us 4 months to repay them for a $250 bill. They NEVER asked to be repaid and when I said something about it they actually told us we didn't have to, but they will also except any donation. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

L.B.

answers from Biloxi on

St. Vincent de Paul may be able to help.
http://www.svdpusa.org/

Good Luck

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