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​ 1. Learn about this resource. DC Government and public university employees can receive down payment assistance from a financial service company called Landed . You can receive 15% of a home’s sale price or $120,000 —whichever is less—to reach a 20% down payment. After putting money towards the down payment, you’ll work with one of Landed’s participating lenders to get a mortgage for the rest of the home’s cost. This investment in your home means that Landed shares in any gain or loss you make when 1) you sell your home or 2) if you buy Landed out of their portion of the down payment. Landed also provides education and guidance throughout the home buying process. ​ 2. Check if you are eligible. You are eligible if all of these statements are true: You work full-time for DC Government or a public university in the District of Columbia. You are buying a home located in the District of Columbia or approved counties nearby. ​ You do not need to be a first-time home buyer to partner with Landed. There are no income restrictions to partner with Landed. get help co-buying a home as DC Government employee? DO YOU WANT TO What happens after I apply? You’ll immediately receive an email from Landed inviting you to schedule a call with a Landed representative in the next 1-3 business days. Landed will confirm that you are an eligible employee and address your questions. If you’re eligible, Landed will provide you with a welcome letter and an initial confirmation that they will provide down payment funds. A Landed participating lender will review your financials and pre-approve you for a mortgage. You and your agent will start searching for a home. Landed has a network of local, partner agents who specialize in this program. Landed will provide you with a property-specific support letter. You make an offer on the home with Landed’s down payment assistance included. If your offer is accepted by the seller, you move forward with the home purchase. Landed will review the home inspection report and homeowners’ association documents (if applicable) and issue you a summary report to aid your review of the sale. If you are comfortable with the summary report findings, you move forward to finalize the sale. This typically takes 21-45 days from the day your offer is accepted by the seller. If you or the property you’d like to purchase are not approved, Landed will contact you by phone or email. Your Landed lender can offer advice on reapplying when your credit and/or finances improve. Are there any additional requirements that I should know about? You must qualify for a mortgage with a Landed participating lender. You must stay with your current employer for at least two years after you buy your home. Landed requires a minimum down payment. This amount is determined after your initial consultation with a Landed representative. You must live in the property for at least a year , but you’re welcome to rent out a room while you live in the home. When you sell your home or buy out Landed’s share, Landed shares in any gain or loss made over the period of your home ownership. In most instances, you repay the amount Landed invests plus a percentage of the home’s appreciation. If the home loses value, you repay the amount Landed invests minus a share of the home’s depreciation. Who should I contact if I have questions? First, take a look at the frequently asked questions at the bottom of the page. If you still have questions, you can use the contact form or email the team at customer@landed.com . I still need help with down payment assistance. What should I do? You can find information about other resources that might help you prepare to buy a home on our resource page . Frequently Asked Questions Is this program run by the DC government? No, Landed is a private company that partners with public schools and other educational institutions across the nation. What happens if I sell my home within the first year of owning it? If you sell within the first two years, you must pay Landed back the amount they put forward plus a minimum return. How can I find out if my employer is on the list of approved schools? Reach out to Landed by emailing customer@landed.com and sharing the name of your employer and school. If they’re not on the list, you may ask Landed to consider working with your school in the future. Is there a maximum price on the home I can purchase with Landed? No, there is no maximum. What is the legal relationship between myself and Landed? You are the named owner of the home on the title. Landed is recorded on the title as an interested party. Do all eligible applicants receive down payment assistance? Yes, all eligible applicants can receive assistance. 4. Gather more information. What happens after I apply? You’ll immediately receive an email from Landed inviting you to schedule a call with a Landed representative in the next 1-3 business days. Landed will confirm that you are an eligible employee and address your questions. If you’re eligible, Landed will provide you with a welcome letter and an initial confirmation that they will provide down payment funds. A Landed participating lender will review your financials and pre-approve you for a mortgage. You and your agent will start searching for a home. Landed has a network of local, partner agents who specialize in this program. Landed will provide you with a property-specific support letter. You make an offer on the home with Landed’s down payment assistance included. If your offer is accepted by the seller, you move forward with the home purchase. Landed will review the home inspection report and homeowners’ association documents (if applicable) and issue you a summary report to aid your review of the sale. If you are comfortable with the summary report findings, you move forward to finalize the sale. This typically takes 21-45 days from the day your offer is accepted by the seller. If you or the property you’d like to purchase are not approved, Landed will contact you by phone or email. Your Landed lender can offer advice on reapplying when your credit and/or finances improve. Are there any additional requirements that I should know about? You must qualify for a mortgage with a Landed participating lender. You must stay with your current employer for at least two years after you buy your home. Landed requires a minimum down payment. This amount is determined after your initial consultation with a Landed representative. You must live in the property for at least a year , but you’re welcome to rent out a room while you live in the home. When you sell your home or buy out Landed’s share, Landed shares in any gain or loss made over the period of your home ownership. In most instances, you repay the amount Landed invests plus a percentage of the home’s appreciation. If the home loses value, you repay the amount Landed invests minus a share of the home’s depreciation. Who should I contact if I have questions? First, take a look at the frequently asked questions at the bottom of the page. If you still have questions, you can use the contact form or email the team at customer@landed.com . I still need help with down payment assistance. What should I do? You can find information about other resources that might help you prepare to buy a home on our resource page . Frequently Asked Questions Is this program run by the DC government? No, Landed is a private company that partners with public schools and other educational institutions across the nation. What happens if I sell my home within the first year of owning it? If you sell within the first two years, you must pay Landed back the amount they put forward plus a minimum return. How can I find out if my employer is on the list of approved schools? Reach out to Landed by emailing customer@landed.com and sharing the name of your employer and school. If they’re not on the list, you may ask Landed to consider working with your school in the future. Is there a maximum price on the home I can purchase with Landed? No, there is no maximum. What is the legal relationship between myself and Landed? You are the named owner of the home on the title. Landed is recorded on the title as an interested party. Do all eligible applicants receive down payment assistance? Yes, all eligible applicants can receive assistance. Keywords: DC educators, down payment, DC Public Schools, DC Charter Schools, teacher, principal, school staff, homebuying assistance, homebuyer, District employee, DC employee, DC employee benefits, government employee This page was last updated September 2021. ​

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​ 1. Learn about this resource. Residents can get financial assistance to reduce their home’s heat, cooling, and electricity use to save money on their utility bills. We—DC Government—can help you figure out what you can do to protect your home from cold, heat, rain, or wind and to improve your home’s energy efficiency. This process is called weatherization and can include work to improve your: Insulation Duct sealing Heating and cooling systems Appliance energy use We work with a local nonprofit to pay for the weatherization projects and find a repair person to complete on your home. This program is called the Weatherization Assistance Program and is offered by the Department of Energy and Environment. ​ 2. Check if you are eligible. You are eligible if all of these statements are true: You live in a single-family home (or a building with four or fewer units) that you rent or own. Your home is in DC. Your home is not in foreclosure. ​ And if one of these statements is true: Your household receives support from at least one of the following programs: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or​ Your household’s annual gross income—your income before paying taxes—is at or below the limits based on your household size. You can check by answering the two questions below. reduce your home’s energy use? DO YOU WANT TO 3. Apply. Start by applying for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) , which helps you pay for your utilities. By applying to this program first, we—DC Government—can check that your income is at or below the limits for weatherization assistance. If you already receive LIHEAP, continue to step 2. Gather the following documents for you and each person in your household . At least one of your documents needs to list your full name and DC address to show that you live in DC. Depending on how you apply, you may need to make copies or scan your documents. Photo IDs (like a driver’s license) Social security cards or alien registration numbers Most recent electricity, gas, oil, and/or water bills Recent pay stubs, social security statements, pension statements, unemployment benefits statements, child support statements, and/or tax return (you only need the documents that apply to your situation) Choose one of these options to apply online or by mail: Complete the online LIHEAP application . To start, you'll be asked to create a log-in. Select that you’re interested in weatherization assistance. You’ll need to upload photos or scans of your documents into the application. To apply by mail, print and mail your completed paper LIHEAP application and copies of your documents to The Department of Energy & Environment; 1200 First Street NE, 5th Floor; Washington, DC 20002. If you can't print the application, you can call 311 at any time to ask us to mail you an application. You’ll need to make copies of your documents. Please don’t send the originals. Within 2 business days after we receive your complete LIHEAP application, we will email you to let you know if you’ve been approved for LIHEAP. If you are approved for LIHEAP, continue to step 2 to apply for weatherization assistance. Complete the application for weatherization assistance . If you rent your home, we will follow up with your landlord to complete some additional application questions. Depending on their income, we may ask your landlord to pay for some part of the projects. You can apply at any time. 4. Gather more information. What happens after I apply? We—DC Government—will review your Weatherization Assistance Program application. Within one business day, we will call you to schedule a time to visit your home. We will visit your home to learn what projects might make your home more energy-efficient. We will make a list of the projects that will make your home more energy-efficient and find a repair person to complete the work. If you rent your home, we will get approval for the proposed projects from your landlord. The repair person will complete work on your home within 21 business days after our visit to your home. DC Government will inspect the work and pay the repair person. If you are not approved for this program, we will call you and send you an email to let you know. If you are approved for the program but safety issues in your home prevent work from starting right away, you will get instructions to resolve the safety issues first. If you are approved but we don’t have funding to do weatherization right now, we’ll work with you to start your weatherization in the new fiscal year (which starts in October). Are there any additional requirements I should know about? If your home has received weatherization assistance from us after 1994, you are not eligible to receive assistance again at this time. If you’re not sure if or when your home received weatherization assistance from us before, apply anyway, and we’ll check our records when determining your eligibility. Who should I contact if I have questions? First, take a look at the frequently asked questions at the bottom of the page. If you still have questions, please reach out to our Affordability and Efficiency team at (202) 299-3316 , Monday through Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm. Or, you can email LaWanda Jones at lawanda.jones@dc.gov with the subject line, “Weatherization Question.” I still need help with my utilities. What should I do? You can find information about other resources that might help on our utilities resources page . Frequently Asked Questions Can I reapply if my application is not approved? If your application is not approved because your household income is above the program limits, you can reapply if your income or household size changes. If you rent your home and your application is not approved because your landlord did not want to participate, you can reapply if they change their mind. Can I reapply if I have received this program before? If your home has received weatherization assistance from us—DC Government—after 1994, you are not eligible to get assistance again at this time. If you’re not sure if or when your home received weatherization assistance from us before, apply anyway, and we’ll check our records when determining your eligibility. If you received weatherization assistance from us before but have now moved to a new home, you can reapply for the program. You can receive assistance again as long as you meet the requirements and your new home did not receive weatherization from us after 1994. I receive food assistance through SNAP (formerly known as food stamps). Does that make me eligible for this program? If you receive food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), you’ll need to check if your household's income is below the program limits to see if you’re eligible for this program. Receiving SNAP is not enough on its own to confirm your eligibility for this program. However, if you receive SNAP, you are eligible for help paying your utilities through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) . My household doesn’t have any income. How can I prove that? If your household doesn’t have any income, you can submit one of these documents with your application: An notarized income statement , A screenshot of your "Claimant Profile" page on the Department of Employment Services (DOES) website showing that your "Balance" is zero ( see example ), A recent letter from your former employer stating that you no longer work there (if you've lost your job but are not yet receiving unemployment benefits from DOES), OR A recent letter from the District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) stating that your household doesn't have any income Do all eligible applicants get weatherization assistance? No, funding for weatherization is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Most of the time we have enough funding for everyone who applies, but sometimes applicants need to wait until the next fiscal year (which starts in October). This resource is provided by: Keywords: homeowners, renters, make my home energy efficient, income limits. energy bill, reduce energy use, air conditioning, heating, electricity, utility fees ​ This page was last updated July 2021. ​

I'm looking for information about going solar Could I save money with solar panels? Installing solar panels on your home will help reduce your electricity bill. Type your street address into the DC Solar Tool to learn more about how much it might cost to switch to solar, your expected savings, and how soon your solar system could pay for itself. What are the steps to installing solar panels? Here are a few key steps to start the process to install solar panels on your home: Contact installers for a free assessment to check if your roof is able to support the weight of solar panels and gets enough sunlight and to estimate the cost to install panels. Decide whether you want to own or lease the solar system. Read this District guide on financing solar panels in English or Spanish . Consider joining a solar co-op (like this one accepting members until August 2021) to get a better price from your installer. Install and enjoy the benefits of solar! Does DC offer financial assistance to install solar panels? The District offers eligible residents free solar panel installation on their home. Your household may be eligible if you live in a building with four or fewer units in DC and your income is below the program limits. Learn more on the program’s resource page . Can I get paid for the energy from my solar panels? Homeowners may be able to make money from utility companies for the energy produced by their solar panels. We—the DC Government—require utility companies to produce a percentage of their electricity from renewable sources, like solar. If they don’t meet that requirement, they can either pay a fine or buy solar renewable energy certificates (or SRECs) from solar panel owners. Talk to your solar installer about how to sell your SRECs, and they can help you connect with an SREC broker. The amount you receive depends on the market price and your negotiations with utility companies. Learn more about SRECs from the Environmental Protection Agency. Will I still get an electricity bill after I install solar panels on my home? Yes, even once you have solar panels, you will still get a portion of your electricity from the city’s grid. Your monthly electricity bill will include a credit for the energy produced by your solar panels. Do solar panels require maintenance? Solar panels do not require frequent maintenance, but it’s a good idea to check the system a few times a year to ensure it’s working properly. Your installer will help you maintain your solar system for the length of your contract. Can I still switch to solar even if I can’t install panels on my home? Yes. If your roof can’t support the weight of solar panels or doesn’t get enough sun, you can still switch to solar by getting your electricity from a local solar energy provider. If your income is below the program limits, the District can help you save money on your electricity bill when you get your electricity from a community solar energy project . If your income is not below the program limits, you can still switch to a solar energy provider at market rates. How does solar work? Solar panels absorb energy from the sun and convert it to electricity you can use. The electricity then flows through your home, powering electronic devices. Any electricity from your solar panels that you don’t use gets sent into the grid for other people to use. Learn more from the U.S. Department of Energy. Are there other ways for me to make my home environmentally friendly and save on my utility bills? Yes! You can find information about other resources that might help on our environmental resources page. You can also learn more about resources to save money on your utilities . How can I learn more about going solar? Tune into our webinar series with recordings on solar financing , solar renewable energy certificates (or SRECs) , solar contracting , and solar ownership options . The Department of Energy and Environment has also teamed up with EnergySage to help District residents comparison shop options for installing solar panels on their property or subscribing to a local community solar farm. Visit EnergySage's web page and check out the webinar recording to find out how EnergySage can help . I have a question that’s not covered here. Who can I contact? You can reach out to The Department of Energy and Environment at solarforall@dc.gov with the subject line “Market Rate Solar Question.” Many renters and homeowners are interested in solar but do not know where to start. This page includes information on how residents can invest in solar and help the District meet our clean energy goals! Keywords: homeowners, renters, invest in solar, clean energy, sustainability, solar power, solar roof, conserve energy, conservation ​ This page was last updated May 2021. ​

replace a broken heating or cooling appliance? DO YOU WANT TO ​ 1. Learn about this resource. Residents can apply to replace or repair their broken central air conditioning, heating systems, hot water tanks, and chimney liners with more efficient systems. We—DC Government—work with a local nonprofit to pay for the new system and hire a repair person to install it. ​ This program is called the Emergency Mechanical Systems Program and is offered by the Department of Energy and Environment. ​ 2. Check if you are eligible. You are eligible if all of these statements are true: You live in a single-family home (or a building with four or fewer units) that you rent or own. Your home is in DC. Your home is not in foreclosure. ​ And if one of these statements is true: Your household receives support from at least one of the following programs: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or​ Your household’s annual gross income—your income before paying taxes—is at or below the limits based on your household size. You can check by answering the two questions below. This resource is provided by: Keywords: broken appliance, emergency repair, hot water tank, heater, air conditioning, fireplace ​ This page was last updated July 2021. ​ 3. Apply. Start by applying for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) , which helps you pay for your utilities. By applying to this program first, we—DC Government—can check that your income is at or below the limits for an emergency mechanical systems replacement. If you already receive LIHEAP, call (202) 299-3316 to get the application for an emergency replacement and continue to step 2. Gather the following documents for you and each person in your household . At least one of your documents needs to list your full name and DC address to show that you live in DC. Depending on how you apply, you may need to make copies or scan your documents. Photo IDs (like a driver’s license) Social security cards or alien registration numbers Most recent electricity, gas, oil, and/or water bills Recent pay stubs, social security statements, pension statements, unemployment benefits statements, child support statements, and/or tax return (you only need the documents that apply to your situation) Choose one of these options to apply online or by mail: Complete the online LIHEAP application . To start, you'll be asked to create a log-in. Select that you’re interested in weatherization assistance. You’ll need to upload photos or scans of your documents into the application. To apply by mail, print and mail your completed paper LIHEAP pplication and copies of your documents to The Department of Energy & Environment; 1200 First Street NE, 5th Floor; Washington, DC 20002. If you can't print the application, you can call 311 at any time to ask us to mail you an application. You’ll need to make copies of your documents. Please don’t send the originals. Within 2 business days after we receive your complete LIHEAP application, we will email you to let you know if you’ve been approved for LIHEAP. If you are approved for LIHEAP, continue to step 2 to apply for an emergency mechanical systems replacement. Gather documents to show the appliance is broken and how much it will cost to fix it. This could be a red tag from Washington Gas or an estimate from a repair company on company letterhead. Complete the application for an emergency mechanical systems replacement . If you’re interested, you can apply for assistance to reduce your home’s heat and electricity use at the same time. If you rent your home, we will follow up with your landlord to complete some additional application questions. Depending on their income, we may ask your landlord to pay for some part of the replacement. You can apply at any time. 4. Gather more information. What happens after I apply? We—DC Government—will review your Emergency Mechanical Systems Program application. Within one business day, we will connect you to a nonprofit in the community to help you through the process. The nonprofit will schedule a visit to your home to inspect the broken appliance or system. The nonprofit will connect you to a repair person who will work with you to buy and install the replacement or repair the system within three days. We will inspect the replacement/repaired system during and after installation to make sure it is properly installed. If you are not approved for this program, we will call you and send you an email to let you know. Are there any additional requirements I should know about? You must apply for our Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program , which helps you pay for your utilities, to receive an emergency mechanical systems replacement. Applying to this program also helps us—DC Government—check your income. Who should I contact if I have questions? First, take a look at the frequently asked questions at the bottom of the page. If you still have questions, please reach out to our Affordability and Efficiency team at (202) 299-3316 , Monday through Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm. Or, you can email LaWanda Jones at Lawanda.jones@dc.gov with the subject line, “Emergency Mechanical System Program Question.” I still need help with my utilities. What should I do? You can find information about other resources that might help on our utilities resources page . Frequently Asked Questions What documentation will I need to show that I have a broken appliance? You will need an estimate from a repair company on company letterhead or a red tag from Washington Gas. When a furnace is shut down because it is dangerous to operate unless repaired or replaced it is usually called red-tagging, for the tag put on the furnace. The tag can be red or a different color. Can I reapply if I have received an emergency mechanical replacement before? Yes, if you’ve received a replacement in the past and now that appliance or a different central air conditioning system, heating system, hot water tank, or chimney liner needs to be replaced, you can apply again. Can I reapply if my application is not approved? If your application is not approved because your household income is above the program limits, you can reapply if your income or household size changes. I receive food assistance through SNAP (formerly known as food stamps). Does that make me eligible for this program? If you receive food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), you’ll need to check if your household's income is below the program limits to see if you’re eligible for this program. Receiving SNAP is not enough on its own to confirm your eligibility for this program. However, if you receive SNAP, you are eligible for help paying your utilities through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) . My household doesn’t have any income. How can I prove that? If your household doesn’t have any income, you can submit one of these documents with your application: An notarized income statement, A screenshot of your "Claimant Profile" page on the Department of Employment Services (DOES) website showing that your "Balance" is zero ( see example ), A recent letter from your former employer stating that you no longer work there (if you've lost your job but are not yet receiving unemployment benefits from DOES), OR A recent letter from the District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) stating that your household doesn't have any income Do all eligible applicants get their broken appliance repaired or replaced? ​No, funding for emergency replacements and repairs is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Most of the time, we have enough funding for all eligible applicants.

​ 1. Learn about this resource. Residents can use financial assistance from us—DC Government—to replace lead-based paint from their homes. You can receive up to $11,000 in assistance towards lead-based paint repairs. We work with a local nonprofit to pay for the projects and find a repair person to complete work on your home. This program is called the Lead Reduction Program and is offered by the Department of Energy & Environment. ​ 2. Check if you are eligible. You are eligible if all of these statements are true: You live in DC. A child 6 years old or younger either lives with you or spends at least three hours a day, two days a week, or 60 hours a year at your home; or a pregnant person lives with you. You live in a house or building built before 1978. Your household’s annual gross income—your income before paying taxes—is at or below the limits based on your household size. You can check by answering the two questions below. ​​ ​ reduce lead paint in your home? DO YOU WANT TO 3. Apply. Gather proof of your household income and assests, which could include the most recent pay stubs, social security statements, pension statements, bank statements, unemployment benefits statements, child support statements, and/or tax return for you and the members of your household. You only need the documents that apply to your situation. Complete the application , attach proof of your household income, and submit by email to LaWanda.Jones@dc.gov or by mail to the address below. You'll need to make copies of your documents. Please don't send us the originals. Department of Energy & Environment, Utility Affordability Administration Attn: LaWanda Jones 1200 First Street NE, 5th Floor Washington, DC 20002 You can apply at any time. You can also be referred to the program instead of applying. If a child under the age of six has elevated levels of lead in their blood, their doctor contacts us—DC Government—for assistance (though to address the issue quickly, we still encourage you to apply directly!). You may also be referred by a local nonprofit organization, another DC Government agency, a lawyer, or someone else.​​​​ 4. Gather more information. What happens after I apply? Within one day of your application, we—DC Government—will call you to let you know if your application has been approved, and we’ll appoint a local nonprofit to pay for and arrange the work. The local nonprofit will arrange for a repairperson to inspect your home for lead. They’ll provide us an estimate of the cost to remove and repair the lead-based paint in your home. If they find any other sources of lead in their inspection, we’ll let you know and work with you to address those. The repairperson will remove or repair the lead-based paint, test to make sure the repairs were done correctly, and then inspect your home for lead again. Your home is lead-safe! You or your landlord will agree to monitoring your home for lead and keeping it safe. If you are not approved for the repairs, we will let you know about other programs that may be able to help. Are there any additional requirements I should know about? Sometimes, the contractor may need you to relocate for a few days to do the repairs. We—DC Government—can provide funds to cover relocation on a case-by-case basis. However, you or your landlord may be responsible for the costs of your own relocation. Who should I contact if I have questions? First, take a look at the frequently asked questions at the bottom of the page. If you still have questions, please reach out to the Lead Reduction team at (202) 299-3316 , Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. Or, you can email LaWanda.Jones@dc.gov using the subject line “Lead Reduction Program.” I still need help with making my home safer. What should I do? You can find information about other resources that might help on our home safety and lead protection pages. Frequently Asked Questions I’ve received the repairs to my home and have decided to rent it out instead of living there myself. Are there any special requirements that I have to follow? Yes. For three years after the repairs have been completed, you must prioritize advertising and renting your home to families with children that are six years old and younger or to pregnant women. You must also continue to monitor the home for lead and keep it lead-safe. Do I need to pay anything to get the repairs? We—DC Government—cover the costs for the entire process, including the initial inspection, the repairs, tests, and the final inspection. If you need to relocate while the repairs are done, we may offer financial assistance to cover your relocation costs on a case-by-case basis. You must agree to monitor for lead and keep the home lead-safe in the future, and you would be responsible for the costs to do so. Who completes the work? We’ll assign a local nonprofit to arrange for and pay for the repairs. The repairs will be completed by a licensed repair person with the proper certifications. How long does the repair process take? Depending on the size of your home and how much work needs to be done, repairs can take 1-10 business days. In some cases, the repairs may take longer. Does this program test whether my child has been exposed to lead? No, the program does not test your child for lead exposure. By law, all children who live in the District of Columbia must be tested for lead at ages 6–14 months and 22–26 months. An easy way to remember: Test every child, twice by two . In addition, we require all children six years old and younger that live in a home that gets repairs to be screened for lead exposure. For more information on lead screening, contact your pediatrician or the District's Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at 202-535-2600 . Does this program give priority to households with a child that has elevated blood lead levels? Yes, we prioritize households with children who have elevated blood lead levels. My household doesn’t have any income. How can I prove that? If your household doesn’t have any income, you can submit one of these documents with your application: An notarized income statement , A screenshot of your "Claimant Profile" page on the Department of Employment Services (DOES) website showing that your "Balance" is zero ( see example ), A recent letter from your former employer stating that you no longer work there (if you've lost your job but are not yet receiving unemployment benefits from DOES), OR A recent letter from the District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) stating that your household doesn't have any income Do all eligible applicants get to replace their lead-based paint? No, funding for repairs is on a first-come, first-serve basis. This program launched in 2020, so we aren’t sure how many residents will apply or receive funds. This resource is provided by: You do not need to be a homeowner to apply for this program. Keywords: District residents, lead testing, replace lead paint, child, pregnant person, kid, babysitting, expecting ​ This page was last updated July 2021. ​

​ 1. Learn about this resource. Residents can get a $15-$65 discount on their monthly water bill. We—the DC Government—offer this discount to residents by reducing fees and the rate you’re charged for the water you use. Your discount is calculated based on your household’s income. You need to reapply in September of each year to continue receiving assistance. This program is called the Clean Rivers Impervious Area Charge (CRIAC) Residential Relief Program and is offered by the Department of Energy and Environment. ​ 2. Check if you are eligible. You are eligible if all of these statements are true: You live in DC. Your name or the name of someone in your household is listed on your DC Water bill. If not, you must be able to show that someone in your household owns your home or is responsible for paying your home’s DC Water bill. ​ And if one of these statements is true: Your household receives support from at least one of the following programs: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). or​ Your household’s annual gross income—your income before paying taxes—is at or below the limits based on your household size. You can check by answering the two questions below. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ save money on your water bill? DO YOU WANT TO 3. Apply. Gather the following documents for you and each person in your household . At least one of your documents needs to list your full name and DC address to show that you live in DC. Depending on how you apply, you may need to make copies or scan your documents. Photo IDs (like a driver’s license) Most recent water bills Recent pay stubs, social security statements, pension statements, unemployment benefits statements, child support statements, and/or tax return (you only need the documents that apply to your situation) Choose one of these options to apply online, by email, or by mail: Complete the online application . You’ll need to upload photos or scans of your documents into the application. To apply by email, email your completed pdf application to criac.residential@dc.gov . You’ll need to attach photos or scans of your documents to the email. To apply by mail, print and mail your completed paper application and copies of your documents to the address below. If you can't print the application, you can call 311 at any time to ask us to mail you an application. You’ll need to make copies of your documents. Please don’t send the originals. Attn: CRIAC Residential Relief Program The Department of Energy & Environment 1200 First Street NE, 5th Floor Washington, DC 20002 You can apply at any time. If you have submitted an application for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) , which helps you pay for your utilities, and included your water bill information, you will not need to submit an application for CRIAC. 4. Gather more information. What happens after I apply? We—DC Government—will tell you if you have been approved in person, by phone, or by email within two business days of applying. At this time, we will let you know how much of a discount you will receive. You can also call 311 to get an update on your application. You will see the discount on your DC Water bill within two billing cycles of when you applied (about two months after). They’ll cover charges starting the day you applied. If you are not approved, we will let you know by phone or email within two business days of when you applied. At the same time, we’ll explain how to appeal our decision if you think we made a mistake. You can also call 311 to get an update on your application. Are there any additional requirements I should know about? If you would like to continue to receive a discount on your water bill, you must reapply for the program by October of each year. If you don’t reapply by October, your assistance will stop until you reapply. We—DC Government—will send you an application in the mail to reapply in September of each year. You can reapply in person or online following the instructions above or by returning the paper application to us by mail at: Department of Energy & Environment 1200 First Street NE, 5th Floor Washington, DC 20002 When you reapply, include copies of your household’s photo IDs (like a driver’s license), and most recent water bill. You’ll also need proof of household income, which could include the most recent pay stubs, social security statements, pension statements, unemployment benefits statements, child support statements, and/or tax return of the members of your household. At least one of your documents needs to list your full name and DC address to show that you live in DC. Who should I contact if I have questions? First, take a look at the frequently asked questions at the bottom of the page. If you still have questions, please reach out to our Affordability and Efficiency team at (202) 350-9649 , Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. Or, you can email us at criac.residential@dc.gov using the subject line “CRIAC Application Question.” I still need help with my utilities. What should I do? You can find information about other resources that might help on our utilities resources page . Frequently Asked Questions Can I use the Clean Rivers Impervious Area Charge Relief Program with other utility programs? Yes. When you apply, you can say that you’re interested in getting help to reduce your home’s heat and electricity use , to replace a broken heating or cooling appliance , and/or to assist with utility payments if you’re approved, we will email you within two business days explaining how to apply for these programs. In addition, if you already receive utility assistance , then you may have been automatically signed up for discounts on your water bill. Check your water bill to see if you’re already receiving discounts. What determines the amount of discount received? The discount depends on your household size and annual gross income—that’s your income before paying taxes. I'm behind on my water bill because of the COVID-19 public health emergency. Can I get any additional assistance to avoid a shut-off? We know this is a hard time for many residents. Any CRIAC discount approved DC Water customer may be eligible for bill relief from DC Water through their Rental Assistance Program (RAP) program, which is currently run through Stay DC . If you applied to Stay DC and have questions about benefit amounts or when to expect to see a change on your bills, contact DC Water's customer service team at (202) 787-2000 , Mondays to Fridays 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, or by emailing customer.service@dcwater.com . My water bill is not in the name of anyone that lives in my home. Can I still apply? Yes, you can still apply. If your DC Water bill does not list a household member’s name, you must include proof that someone in your household owns your home or a copy of the lease agreement that states that someone in your household is responsible for paying your home’s DC Water bill. Can I try to reapply for the program if I am not approved? Your income must be at or below the limits based on your household size for you to be approved for the discount. If you apply in person or using the online application and later on the income requirements change, your application may be reviewed again. If you become eligible at that time, you will automatically receive the discount. I run a nonprofit in DC. Can we receive a discount on our water bill? Yes! You may be eligible to receive a discount on your water bill as part of the CRIAC Nonprofit Relief Program . Follow the link to learn about the application and eligibility requirements. My household doesn’t have any income. How can I prove that? If your household doesn’t have any income, you can submit one of these documents with your application: An notarized income statement , A screenshot of your "Claimant Profile" page on the Department of Employment Services (DOES) website showing that your "Balance" is zero ( see example ), A recent letter from your former employer stating that you no longer work there (if you've lost your job but are not yet receiving unemployment benefits from DOES), OR A recent letter from the District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) stating that your household doesn't have any income Can I get assistance with bills if I live in a multifamily building or receive my water from a provider other than DC Water? DC Water offers assistance for multifamily buildings or with bills from third-party water vendors through another program called DC Water Cares . You can apply online or by mailing a completed paper application to: The Department of Energy and Environment Attn: Affordability & Efficiency Division Multifamily Assistance Program 1200 First Street, N.E., 5 th Floor Washington, DC 20002 Do all eligible applicants get the discount? No, the funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis. This program launched in January 2019, so we aren’t sure how many residents will apply or receive funds. This resource is provided by: Keywords: water fees, reduce water bill, water assistance, discount, income limits This page was last updated July 2021. ​