Below are various resources that may be able to help you pay your water and other utility bills and expenses.
Bill Assistance
Mission Springs Water District (MSWD) is committed to supporting customers who may be experiencing financial hardship. While California’s Constitution restricts public agencies from offering discounted water rates or bill forgiveness based on income or age, MSWD provides payment plans to help customers bring their accounts current. If you need a payment extension or payment plan, call MSWD customer service at 760-329-6448 or email customerservice [at] mswd.org (customerservice[at]mswd[dot]org). We also encourage all customers to use water efficiently, and sign up for leak alerts on the Customer Connect portal. This will save water and money. Checking your home and yard regularly for leaks will help you avoid high bills.
Help2Others
In addition, MSWD has partnered with Inland SoCal United Way to create a dedicated assistance fund called Help2Others (H2O). This program offers up to $150 annually in water bill assistance to qualifying low-income households. Customers must meet income verification guidelines to be eligible.
Beyond water bill support, Inland SoCal United Way may also connect you with other community organizations and programs that can help with additional expenses.
How to apply for assistance:
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To apply or for more information, visit the Inland SoCal United Way website or call 760-323-2731, ext. 1200.
You will need:
-
Driver’s license, state-issued ID card, or passport for the account holder.
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Proof of gross annual household income – W-2s OR 2 Months (60 days) of paystubs OR CA EDD statements. Will need one of these accepted proof of income documents for each member of the household.
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Bill statement includes your account number, name, address, past due amount, and bill due date.
-
Income Qualifications:
|
Number of People in Household |
Total Max Combined Annual Income |
|
1 |
$62,650 |
|
2 |
$71,600 |
|
3 |
$80,550 |
|
4 |
$89,550 |
|
5 |
$96,700 |
|
6 |
$103,850 |
|
7 |
$111,000 |
|
8 |
$118,150 |
|
9 |
$125,300 |
|
10 |
$132,500 |
Other Resources
We’ve also assembled the below list of resources that may help you pay your water bill, or offset other critical needs like food and electricity.
- Food Now DHS is a food pantry located within the Desert Hot Springs area that provides food distribution and related assistance. Visit https://thefamilyservicesofthedesert.org or call 760-288-7878.
- FIND Food Bank is the very best resource for food distribution, and they keep a current list of all the food pantries in the area. United Way funding helps significantly with this resource. Visit https://www.findfoodbank.org/ or call 760-775-3663.
- Southern California Edison customers in Desert Hot Springs, may be eligible for assistance through SCE's Energy Assistance Fund. Eligible customers can request a credit of up to $200 once every 12-month period. This program can be accessed through the Salvation Army - Davis Center Cathedral City at 760-324-2275 or through Catholic Charities - Coachella at 760-342-0157. More information can be found on the Energy Assistance Fund (EAF) website or by emailing EAFAdministration [at] sce.com (EAFAdministration[at]sce[dot]com).
- Findhelp.org can help find free or reduced-cost resources like food, housing, financial assistance, health care, and more. Visit https://www.findhelp.org/ for more information.
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Riverside County’s Office on Aging may be able to help pay your utility bill if you’re 60 years old or older and have tried the resources above without success. Visit https://www.rcaging.org/ or call 951-867-3800 for more information.
- The 211 service in Riverside County provides a vital resource for residents seeking assistance. You can dial 211 or (800) 464-1123
24/7 to connect with information and referral resources for various needs, including:- Housing and Shelter: Assistance with finding housing and emergency shelters.
- Food Services: Information on food banks and meal programs.
- Medical and Mental Healthcare: Access to healthcare services and mental health support.
- Legal Help: Resources for legal assistance and advocacy.
- For more details, you can visit the official Riverside County website or the 211 service page.