Program Helping Water Utilities Under Water

Since the moment I was elected as the County Executive of Rockland over 8 years ago, everything I have done, and continue to do, has one goal – to help the residents I serve.

While we can’t directly alter the impact caused by federal policy, we are actively taking steps to lighten the load where we can here in Rockland for our families.

Early in the pandemic we suspended the fare for our TOR buses for residents which till this day remains free.

Last summer we capped the county’s sales tax on motor fuel purchases at $2 until March of this year, saving drivers roughly $5 for a 20-gallon fill-up.

And this fall my administration, along with the County Legislature, eliminated the residential energy tax, saving property owners and renters roughly $4 million this winter alone and $12 million annually.

But we know families are still struggling as they cope with 40-year high inflation increasing prices across the board while still recovering from the financial repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The impact of this is being seen in Home Energy Assistance (HEAP) applications in Rockland County which are up nearly 9% from last year and 30% from 2020.

This is why last week I stood alongside our Department of Social Services Commissioner Joan Sylvestri, Westchester County Executive George Latimer, and Veolia, to remind families that the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program or LIHWAP is another avenue of assistance.

This program helps financially challenged residents pay past due water and sewer bills and without question has been a helpful lifeline for some of our families these past few years.

Outside of New York City, our County is #1 in dollars issued.

Since the program began accepting applications in December of 2021, more than 1,800 applications have been approved and a total of $2.3 million dispersed to our Rockland families. That’s nearly $1300 an application.

We know these last few years have been difficult for families, but this program is here to help you.

In an effort to raise awareness for this program I created a proclamation officially declaring January 12th LIHWAP (Lie-Wap) Awareness Day in Rockland County and I encourage everyone eligible to apply for this assistance. For more information visit https://otda.ny.gov/LIHWAP.