Prince George's County residents who have fallen behind on water or sewer bills might catch a much-needed break. A temporary WSSC Water program is offering a one-time credit of up to $750 for eligible households, with the money coming from the utility’s Emergency Customer Relief Fund and administered in partnership with the United Way of the National Capital Area. The pot is limited and awards are first come, first served, so county officials are urging residents to check their eligibility and apply. WSSC launched the relief effort on Dec. 1, 2025, as a short-term way to help households struggling to keep basic utilities paid.
Who Qualifies And How Much
According to WSSC Water, the size of the credit depends on income and, in some cases, employment history. Households at or below 30% of area median income (AMI) may receive up to $750. Those between 30%-50% of AMI can receive up to $500, while households between 50%-80% of AMI can receive up to $300.
The program also opens the door to a larger credit for a specific group of workers. Current or former federal employees and contractors who were financially impacted by recent federal government actions may qualify for the maximum $750 credit, even if their income would otherwise place them in a lower tier.
How To Apply
The United Way of the National Capital Area is handling applications and screening. Residents must apply through an online form hosted by United Way, and applicants are told they will typically receive a decision within five to seven business days.
The application site lists a dedicated phone line, 202-488-2100, and an email address, [email protected], for anyone who runs into technical trouble or has questions about the process. In-person help is available at United Way Financial Empowerment Centers, including locations at Prince George’s Community College and at the LEDC site within WorkSource Montgomery.
For the online form, required documentation, and office hours, residents are directed to the United Way of the National Capital Area application page.
Who’s Behind It And Why It Matters
WSSC set aside $2.4 million for the Emergency Customer Relief Fund and announced the program on Dec. 1, 2025, in a WSSC Water news release. Montgomery County officials also spotlighted the same fund in the county’s Glass Gazette newsletter, reinforcing the $2.4 million commitment and nudging residents to take advantage of the support.
In those announcements, WSSC and United Way leaders pointed to the scale of financial strain across the region. United Way has highlighted that more than 600,000 ALICE households in the area struggle just to cover basics like housing and utilities. Against that backdrop, the relief fund is framed as targeted, short-term help for customers who have fallen behind and need a one-time boost to stabilize their accounts.
What Residents Should Do Next
Prince George’s County flagged the program for locals in a March 19, 2026 post on its e-Community Facebook page, steering people toward the official details and application links. Residents with past-due water or sewer bills are encouraged to read that notice, review the online form, and gather the required documents before applying.
Anyone who is unsure about eligibility or needs assistance completing the application can call the United Way help line listed on the form. For more details, see the county’s Facebook notice on the Prince George's County Government e-Community page.
