Pennsylvania’s home heating assistance program will open Wednesday.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program normally opens in early November, but its start was delayed a month by the federal government shutdown. The program is administered by the state but is federally funded.
“Pennsylvanians deserve the safety and health benefits that come from being able to heat their homes and keep themselves and their families warm through the winter,” said State Department of Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh in a statement.
“LIHEAP helps hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians each year by providing cash and crisis grants directly to the eligible household’s utility company or heating fuel provider, and I am very glad that we are finally able to begin this important work. I encourage anyone who may need help with heating costs to apply for LIHEAP and keep your home safe through this winter.”
Eligibility is based on income and household size.
Roughly 300,000 households in Pennsylvania use the program every winter.
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission secured commitments from utility companies to not turn off heat or electricity in November for LIHEAP-eligible households.
Driven by data center demand, electricity rates are rising for many residential consumers.
Most large utilities also offer separate assistance programs for people who need help paying their utility bills.
More information is available online or by calling 1-866-857-7095, Monday through Friday.