VOICE FOR THESE KIDS IN THE COURTROOM. I’M GLAD THEY’VE STEPPED UP. THANKS, GABRIELA, FOR SHOWING US. WELL, THE STATE IS EXTENDING THE DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR HELP PAYING FOR HOME HEATING BILLS, AND YOU MIGHT EVEN HAVE YOUR HEAT ON THIS MORNING. THE LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, ALSO CALLED LIHEAP, WAS SET TO CLOSE TOMORROW, BUT NOW IT WILL BE OPEN FOR ANOTHER MONTH UNTIL MAY 8TH. YOU CAN APPLY FOR A ONE TIME GRANT UP TO $1,000 FOR HELP PAYING YOUR HOME HEATING BILL. THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES SAYS SO FA
Pennsylvania extends LIHEAP deadline to May 8 for home heating assistance
Updated: 7:51 AM EDT Apr 9, 2026
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) extended the 2025-26 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) season. The deadline was extended from April 10 to May 8, giving eligible residents more time to apply for help with home heating costs. DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh said the extension was possible because the department has enough funding to continue the program after a delayed opening caused by the federal government shutdown. “LIHEAP helps Pennsylvanians around our Commonwealth heat their homes and keep themselves and their families warm through the winter, but as we welcome spring, past-due bills and emergencies may still be financially destabilizing,” Arkoosh said. “If you are still having trouble paying your heating bills, please apply by May 8 so LIHEAP can help ease this burden.” Grants for heating bills, emergencies LIHEAP is a federally funded program administered by DHS that helps renters and homeowners pay heating bills through cash and crisis grants. The money is paid directly to a household’s utility company or fuel provider and does not need to be repaid. According to the DHS, cash grants for the 2025-26 season range from $200 to $1,000. Crisis grants range from $25 to $1,000 and are available to households facing emergencies, including utility shutoff, already terminated service or a shortage of deliverable fuel such as oil, propane, coal or wood. As of March 21, the DHS said LIHEAP had provided assistance to more than 233,000 households with an average cash benefit of $282 and nearly 83,000 households with an average crisis benefit of $558 this season. Eligibility and how to apply Pennsylvanians qualify for LIHEAP if their household income is at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level. According to the DHS, that equals $23,940 annually for one person and $48,500 for a family of four. Applications can be submitted online, by phone at 1-866-550-4355 for other public assistance programs, or in person through a local county assistance office. The DHS said households must apply each year and encouraged people who may have been denied in the past to apply again.
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) extended the 2025-26 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) season.
The deadline was extended from April 10 to May 8, giving eligible residents more time to apply for help with home heating costs.
DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh said the extension was possible because the department has enough funding to continue the program after a delayed opening caused by the federal government shutdown.
“LIHEAP helps Pennsylvanians around our Commonwealth heat their homes and keep themselves and their families warm through the winter, but as we welcome spring, past-due bills and emergencies may still be financially destabilizing,” Arkoosh said. “If you are still having trouble paying your heating bills, please apply by May 8 so LIHEAP can help ease this burden.”
Grants for heating bills, emergencies
LIHEAP is a federally funded program administered by DHS that helps renters and homeowners pay heating bills through cash and crisis grants. The money is paid directly to a household’s utility company or fuel provider and does not need to be repaid.
According to the DHS, cash grants for the 2025-26 season range from $200 to $1,000. Crisis grants range from $25 to $1,000 and are available to households facing emergencies, including utility shutoff, already terminated service or a shortage of deliverable fuel such as oil, propane, coal or wood.
As of March 21, the DHS said LIHEAP had provided assistance to more than 233,000 households with an average cash benefit of $282 and nearly 83,000 households with an average crisis benefit of $558 this season.
Eligibility and how to apply
Pennsylvanians qualify for LIHEAP if their household income is at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level. According to the DHS, that equals $23,940 annually for one person and $48,500 for a family of four.
Applications can be submitted online, by phone at 1-866-550-4355 for other public assistance programs, or in person through a local county assistance office.
The DHS said households must apply each year and encouraged people who may have been denied in the past to apply again.