Payment Assistance Options

Sometimes customers face circumstances that stretch their financial resources. Missouri American Water is here to help. Please see below for our payment assistance options.

Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)

The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is a temporary federal program that helps low-income families pay their water and/or wastewater bills.

LIHWAP provides grants of up to $750 to help with:

Current and past-due bills
Threat of disconnection
Disconnection and reconnection fees

Please click here to learn more about the program requirements and application process in Missouri.

Enhanced Installment Plan

To help customers who are experiencing financial hardships, Missouri American Water is offering an enhanced installment plan.

If you have a past-due balance, please log in to your account online through MyWater to set up an installment plan to pay the balance over time. (If you haven’t signed up in MyWater yet, it’s fast and easy!)

It is important to contact us BEFORE your water is shut off to maintain eligibility for the enhanced installment plan program. Both residential and non-residential customers may set up a payment plan for past-due balances.

These payment arrangements may require you to:

Pay a percentage of their balance (up to 25%) up-front. The percentage is based on the customer’s payment history.
Pay the rest of the bill according to an agreed upon schedule of up to 12 months
Pay all future bills as they become due

Budget Billing

Budget Billing provides a fixed monthly payment over a period of 12 months based on the residential customer’s anticipated annual billing.

If you have trouble signing up through MyWater, you may contact our customer service representatives at 1-866-430-0820 Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

H2O Help to Others Program

H2O Help to Others is an emergency assistance program created by Missouri American Water and Missouri's Community Action Agencies. The program helps provide supplemental funding to Missouri American Water customers who would otherwise have trouble paying their bills. H2O Help to Others is supported by contributions from Missouri American Water and voluntary contributions from customers.

The Community Action Agencies' trained caseworkers determine the needs of families and individuals, who must be Missouri American Water customers.

Another benefit of H2O Help to Others Program is that it often connects customers with other sources of aid in their communities, including other assistance programs for which they might qualify. Some of the Community Action Agencies also provide educational programs on managing utility usage and bills. Typically, those who qualify for the program are able to begin paying their water and other utility bills in a timely manner and work toward greater self-sufficiency.

For more information contact the Customer Service Center at 866-430-0820.

To make a contribution to the H2O Help to Others Program in Missouri, simply check the box on the back of your water bill and your voluntary contribution will be deducted from your bill.

Who qualifies for H2O Help to Others Program assistance?

Any individual or family whose water service is being provided by Missouri American Water and who is in danger of losing their primary source of water and meets the "basic needs" criteria as set by Community Action Agency caseworkers.

How do I apply for H2O Help to Others Program assistance?

Contact the Community Action Agency in your area to apply (see list of agencies by county below). If you are having difficulty locating the agency serving you, please contact the Missouri American Water Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-866-430-0820.

Audrain County
1-573-582-7864 (Central Missouri Community Action) – The program is managed by the Community Action Agency of St. Louis County with support from the CMCA.

1-314-863-0015, ext. 654 (Community Action Agency of St. Louis County)

Buchanan County
1-816-233-8281 (Community Action Partnership of St. Joseph)

Cedar Hill
1-636-789-2686, ext. 117 (Jefferson-Franklin Community Action Corporation)

Chariton County
1-660-548-3155 (Missouri Valley Community Action)

Cole County
1-573-635-4480 (Central Missouri Community Action) – The program is managed by the Community Action Agency of St. Louis County with support from the CMCA.

1-341-863-0015, ext. 654 (Community Action Agency of St. Louis County)

Jasper County
1-314-863-0015, ext. 654 (Community Action Agency of St. Louis County)

1-314-863-0015 (Economic Security Corporation of the Southwest Area) – The program is managed by the Community Action Agency of St. Louis County with support from the ESC.

Jefferson County
1-636-789-2686, ext. 117 (Jefferson-Franklin Community Action Corporation)

Johnson County
1-660-747-2245 (Missouri Valley Community Action)

Newton County
1-314-863-0015 (Economic Security Corporation of the Southwest Area) - The program is managed by the Community Action Agency of St. Louis County with support from the ESC.

1-314-863-0015, ext. 654 (Community Action Agency of St. Louis County)

Platte County
1-816-858-5153 (Community Action Agency of Greater Kansas City)

St. Charles County
1-636-272-3477 (Northeast Community Action Corporation)

St. Louis County
1-314-863-0015 / info@caastlc.org (St. Louis County Community Action Agency)

Warren County
1-636-456-8191 (Northeast Community Action Corporation)

Low-Income Assistance Program

Eligible customers in Missouri American Water’s St. Joseph, Brunswick, Platte County, and Lawson Districts can reduce their monthly water bills by taking advantage of a low-income rate. This rate was introduced as a pilot program in 2017, and reduces the customer charge, or fixed charge. For more information on eligibility requirements and how to apply, click this link.

State Assistance For Housing Relief (SAFHR)

On February 11, 2021, Governor Mike Parson signed into law legislation that provides more than $324 million in funding for rental and utility assistance for Missourians.

Renters in need of utility assistance can apply for financial assistance to be paid directly to their utility provider. Financial assistance includes utility arrears for the period beginning April 2020 and up to 3 months of prepaid utility assistance. Renters must have an invoice from Missouri American Water to support the request. Total assistance any renter receives through SAFHR cannot exceed a period of 12 months.

Who qualifies for SAFHR renter assistance?

Renters must currently reside in residential rental property in Missouri. Property must not be located in Clay County, Greene County, Jackson County, Jefferson County, St. Louis County, Kansas City, or St. Louis City. These localities will run individual programs.
Renters must have an estimated annual household income at or below 80% of the area median income (AMI). Estimated household income should be based on the average income for the most recent 30 days or the 2020 annual income if a tenant is not income eligible based on the most recent 30 days. Estimated income must include all household members over 18.
One or more individuals in the household currently receives unemployment benefits and/or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19.
Requested amounts must be for rent or utilities that the renter is responsible for and that has not been and will not be paid by any other source.

How do I apply for SAFHR renter assistance?

Renters can apply through an online application portal in collaboration with their landlord beginning February 15, 2021. For more information, visit https://www.mohousingresources.com/safhr.