GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The United States is currently in the longest federal government shutdown the nation has ever seen , and people have been feeling its effects.

SNAP benefits have been paused , schools have lost funding for Head Start , and LIHEAP, which helps households pay utility bills, has been affected as well .

In response to all of this, the City of Grand Rapids has decided to suspend water shutoffs for those who haven't paid their bill until further notice, as a way of helping households struggling to make ends meet at this time.

If you need assistance paying your water/sewer bill, you can contact any or all of these agencies:

Kent County Community Action (KCCA) (616) 632-7950

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) (616) 248-1000

United Way 211 or 1-800

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