The Pennsylvania Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low income people pay their heating bills through home heating energy assistance grants and crisis grants. You need not have an unpaid bill to receive home heating energy assistance. You can receive this money without being in the Cash Assistance program -- a family of four with an annual income of up to $35,280 can qualify for assistance. No lien is placed on your property if you receive this help.
Applications for LIHEAP are available beginning November 1, 2010 until March 31, 2011. The Department of Public Welfare may extend or shorten the program depending upon the availability of federal funds.
How to Apply:
The fastest way to apply and to check to see if we made a decision about your application is by applying through COMPASS, the online resource for cash assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, help with child care, health care coverage, home heating assistance (LIHEAP), school meals, SelectPlan for Women and long-term living services.
You can also:
English- Energy Assistance Application Spanish-Energy Assistance Application
For more information, please contact your local county assistance office or contact the LIHEAP hotline at 1-866-857-7095, Monday through Friday (individuals with hearing impairments may call the TDD number at 1-800-451-5886).
Crisis Grants
Beginning November 1, 2010 through January 2, 2011, households without heat may qualify for additional help. To be considered “without heat”:
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The main heating source or second heating source (a source that is used to operate the main heating source or used if the main heating source is not working) has been completely shut-off;
OR
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A household is completely without their main heating fuel (coal, fuel oil, kerosene, propane, wood, etc.).
Households without heat should contact the local county assistance office.
Beginning January 3, 2011, additional money may be available if you have an emergency situation and are in jeopardy of losing your heat.
Emergency situations include:
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Broken heating equipment or leaking lines that must be fixed or replaced
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Lack of fuel
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Termination of utility service
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Danger of being without fuel or of having utility service terminated
Assistance with home heating crisis situations is available 24 hours a day; in most counties, you should contact your local county assistance office. However, residents of the four counties listed below are encouraged to directly contact their local agencies that operate the crisis component in their areas:
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Allegheny - Allegheny County Department of Human Services,1-800-851-3838;
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Carbon - Carbon County Action Committee, (610) 377-6400;
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Luzerne - Commission on Economic Opportunity of Luzerne Co., 1-800-822-0359;
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Wyoming - Commission on Economic Opportunity of Wyoming Co., (570) 836-4090.
General Information about LIHEAP:
LIHEAP Brochure - English
LIHEAP Brochure- Español
LIHEAP Eligibility Information
LIHEAP Benefit Amount Table: shows benefit amount based on user selected county and fuel type.
LIHEAP Policy Handbook
2011 LIHEAP Final State Plan
Additional Low Income Energy Programs
You may be eligible for other energy assistance programs for low income households in addition to the LIHEAP program.
Visit the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission for information on energy programs available for low-income households.
If you live outside of Philadelphia, visit the $1 Energy Fund at www.dollarenergy.org or contact your utility company for information on programs that may help you pay your utility bill.
If you live in Philadelphia, visit the Utility Emergency Services Fund (UESF) at www.uesfacts.org or call (215) 972-5170 for information on a program that may help you pay your utility bill.
