Water Assistance
Moving Past Hardship
TG shares how United Way helped him keep his water on.
I went through a tough financial stretch—rising costs, medical bills, and a reduction in wages during an uncertain economy all set me back. Being a single parent with soaring expenses, I was overwhelmed.
An added perfect storm challenge was an unrealized broken water line that quietly ran our meter non-stop, week after week, without any indication until a quarterly warning appeared. My seasonal water bill ended up higher than what I would normally pay over the entire year, and I found myself in danger of having the service shut off.
Someone suggested that I reach out to United Way for assistance. At first, I didn’t think I’d qualify because my address shows a nicer neighborhood, but my hardship income was far below what neighbors might expect. Then, I hesitated, feeling a bit too proud to ask for help.
Thankfully, after some encouragement from friends, I did, and United Way helped by covering a significant portion of my water bill. Their support was truly a lifeline for my family at a time of need.
I want to encourage others in need not to assume ineligibility based on their location, since assistance decisions are based on a case by case basis, by unique needs and circumstances.
Moving past our hardship, I hope to start giving a little back by helping others in need. Thank you, United Way!
– TG, Bloomfield Hills
