Financial Assistance

Do You Need Help Paying Your Water Bill?

MCWD CARES is a Marina Coast Water District (MCWD) program to help income-qualified customers manage their water bills.

If you are an MCWD customer at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, you may be eligible to save up to $250 a year on your water bill.

How to Apply

All applications go through Dollar Energy Fund — MCWD does not process applications directly.

Program Timeline

Application Window 1: June 15 – July 31, 2026. Approved grants disbursed July 2026 through June 2027.

Application Window 2: November 1 – December 31, 2026 (if funds remain). Approved grants disbursed January 2027 through June 2027.

Enroll online at the Dollar Energy Fund Website

Or Call: 1-888-282-6816

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this program available in Spanish?

Yes, information about the CARES Program is available by clicking the translation button at the top left of this page.

¿Este programa está disponible en español?

Sí, hay información sobre el Programa CARES disponible haciendo clic en el botón de traducción en la parte superior izquierda de esta página.

Is my personal information safe?

Dollar Energy Fund is a trusted nonprofit organization. Your information is used only to verify eligibility for this program.

I applied — what happens next?

Dollar Energy Fund will review your application and notify you of your status. If approved, the credit will be applied automatically to your MCWD bill. Grants are disbursed on a first come, first served basis to eligible applicants while funding is available.

How do I know if I qualify?

You may be eligible if you:

• Are a Marina Coast Water District water customer
• Have a household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines
• Have an account in good standing (no balance more than 30 days past due)

What happens if I miss a payment or fall behind on my bill?

To stay enrolled in MCWD CARES, your account must remain in good standing. If your balance becomes more than 30 days past due, you will be removed from the program and returned to standard billing.

If you are having trouble keeping up with payments, visit the Dollar Energy Fund website or call: 1-888-282-6816.

2026 Federal Poverty Guidelines — 200% Threshold

Use the table below as a general guide. Contact Dollar Energy Fund to confirm your eligibility.

Household / family size	200% of 2026 annual federal poverty line
1	$31,920
2	$43,280
3	$54,640
4	$66,000
5	$77,360
6	$88,720
7	$100,080
8	$111,440
For households larger than 8, contact Dollar Energy Fund for guidance on your eligibility.