Water Assistance Program
Overview
The Water Assistance Program is a program to help those going through financial hardship with their Town of Hillsborough utility bill through donations from other utility customers.
The program is administered through a partnership between the Town and Orange Congregations in Mission (OCIM), a local non-profit organization that helps people in need get back on their feet. Donating is quick and easy. Contributions are tax-deductible.
The Need
About 100 utility accounts with the Town of Hillsborough are overdue each month. While paying late is a chronic problem for some customers, others find them themselves in difficulty for the first time and merely need a little one-time assistance.
Although most bills do get paid, significant delays and service disconnection often occur. The time spent collecting these bills and the lost interest revenue from Town accounts cost all of us.
How the Water Assistance Progran Works
The Town accepts one-time or regular donations from utility customers and passes all the money to Christian Community in Action. The money can only be used for a Town of Hillsborough utility bill.
Counselors with the Orange County Department of Social Services interview applicants to determine eligibility for assistance.
How to Help
To contribute monthly with your utility payment:
Call (919) 732-2104, or send a note with your next payment. Ask us to set up a recurring donation of as little as $1 a month or $2, $3, $4, or $5. You choose the amount.
To make a one-time contribution:
Include the donation with your next utility payment or mail it separately to:
Town of Hillsborough Finance Department
P.O. Box 429
Hillsborough, NC 27278
How to Receive Help with Utility Bills:
Call Orange Congregations in Mission at 919-732-6194.
Lowering Your Taxes
If you itemize deductions for your state and federal income taxes, you may deduct you Water Assistance Program donations. Keep your utility bill statements to document donations or call us after the end of the calendar year. We’ll send a statement totaling your donations for the calendar year. On your tax returns, list the Town of Hillsborough as the recipient of the donation.