Lifeline was initiated by the City of Norfolk in 1999 to help Norfolk citizens avoid disruption in water services. Lifeline offers financial assistance to low-income senior citizens, families and individuals to provide relief from the Hampton Roads utility bill. Human Services and the Norfolk Department of Utilities partner to provide Lifeline information and assistance.

Generally, to be eligible for Lifeline you must have:

• water service in Norfolk,
• a monthly household income less than 200% of federal poverty level (see chart below for exact amounts), and
• liquid resources less than $2000.00 (i.e., bank accounts, certificates of deposit or credit union accounts).

If you are eligible you may receive:

• bill assistance - maximum annual assistance of $270.00 in the form of non-refundable payment to Hampton Roads Utility Billing Service (HRUBS) in your behalf
• plumbing repairs assistance - maximum annual assistance of $500.00 to licensed plumbers on behalf of owner occupants for plumbing repairs.

To apply:

You may pick up an application at any Human Services location, HRSD, and at the Department of Utilities, or you can request that one be mailed to you by calling 664-6035. Completed applications may be returned by mail or in person to the Department of Utilities or any Human Services location. There is no requirement for an interview. Attaching verification of your income and resources and a copy of your bill and any cut-off notices you may have received could speed up the processing time.

Lifeline applications are available at:

• the Norfolk Department of Utilities, Granby Municipal Bldg., 400 Granby St., 1st floor (click for map)

<Click Here> for more information about Lifeline.

<Click Here> to download an application for Lifeline assistance.

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Applications may be returned by mail to:

Department of Human Services, 741 Monticello Ave., Norfolk, VA 23510

Or in person to:

Any Department of Human Services office

Or

Department of Utilities, 400 Granby St., Norfolk, VA 23510

Eligibility is established using the total monthly gross income for your household.

Normal processing time for Lifeline application is 30 days. To obtain Lifeline as quickly as possible the following steps are recommended:

• Fully complete the Lifeline application (please fill in every part of the application)
• Provide verification of income (i.e., pay stubs for a complete month, statement from employer)
• Provide verification of resources (i.e., bank statements, credit union statements)
• Provide a copy of your most recent combined services bill and any cut-off notices you may have received.

If you are receiving Social Security benefits or Public Assistance (i.e., Food Stamps, Medicaid or TANF) we will consult your case for the needed verifications.

For additional information or to receive an application by mail, please call (757) 664-6035 or (757) 664-6311.

We are here to serve you!

EMERGENCY NUMBERS:

Water or Sewer Main Breaks (757) 823-1000

Customer Service (757) 664-6700

Miss Utility (Call Before You Dig)

1-800-552-7001