The opening of Pennsylvania’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) will be delayed by one month due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, state officials announced Wednesday.

Originally scheduled to open on Nov. 3, the 2025–26 LIHEAP season will now begin on Dec. 3, pending the release of federal funding to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS).

LIHEAP is a federally funded program that provides assistance to low-income households for home heating costs. The DHS said it has not yet received its federal allocation for the upcoming season, making it impossible to distribute benefits as planned.

“LIHEAP helps more than 300,000 Pennsylvania families heat their homes during the colder months – and is especially critical for older adults and low-income families,” said DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh. “Inaction from the Republican-controlled Congress now threatens access to this assistance.”

The program typically distributes more than $215 million annually to utility companies or home heating fuel providers on behalf of eligible households. In 2023 and 2024, Pennsylvania received $216 million and $229 million respectively. DHS officials stressed that the state cannot cover these costs without federal support.

DHS will continue to process pre-season applications for LIHEAP and other assistance programs during the shutdown, but no payments can be issued until federal funds are made available.

While the delay leaves many families in limbo, officials are urging those in immediate need to contact local utility companies, many of which offer separate assistance programs. Additionally, Pennsylvania’s winter utility shutoff moratorium — which prevents regulated utility companies from turning off services between Dec. 1 and March 31 — will still go into effect as scheduled.

However, the moratorium does not cancel outstanding balances, and LIHEAP funding remains vital for many households.

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Pennsylvanians seeking immediate help can visit pa-navigate.org, call 211, or visit pa211.org for local resources and utility assistance.