The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) states that the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) will begin its 2025-26 season on Dec. 3. The program typically starts in November but was delayed due to the federal government shutdown.”We were receiving some preseason applications from folks during the shutdown. We weren’t able to provide the money,” said Brandon Cwalina, Pa. DHS Spokesperson.Start of new season The 2025-26 LIHEAP season is open from Dec. 3, 2025, through Apr. 10, 2026. About 300,000 eligible Pennsylvanians use the program annually.Applications will open Dec. 3, and some applications submitted earlier, during the government shutdown, are already being processed. State officials say typical cash-grant applications take about two weeks to process. LIHEAP serves low-income households that earn less than 150% of the federal poverty level, helping to pay energy bills. For a household with one family member, that’s about $23,000 a year.”Pennsylvanians to qualify for LIHEAP cash grant, can receive $200 up to $1,000 based on your household income and eligibility and things like that,” said Cwalina.Approved moratorium Gov. Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) agreed on a moratorium to keep utilities from shutting off service for households behind on payments. This happens every year, and usually runs from December through March, though this year it began in November because of the shutdown.”The moratorium does not address outstanding bills or payments. So that’s why the LIHEAP program is so important for folks who are behind on their heating bills or who need a little assistance,” said Cwalina.If approved, cash grant LIHEAP funds are sent directly to the utility company as a one-time payment for the season. Households facing immediate shutoff may qualify for a crisis grant, which can be reapplied for and issued multiple times in a season.”You don’t need to know your eligibility in order to apply will take care of that for you. Additionally, public utilities in Pennsylvania also offer assistance programs, so if you’re not immediately eligible for LIHEAP, your private provider may be able to help you out as well,” Cwalina said.If you would like to find out about your eligibility, follow this link.

HARRISBURG, Pa. —

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) states that the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) will begin its 2025-26 season on Dec. 3. The program typically starts in November but was delayed due to the federal government shutdown.

“We were receiving some preseason applications from folks during the shutdown. We weren’t able to provide the money,” said Brandon Cwalina, Pa. DHS Spokesperson.

Start of new season

The 2025-26 LIHEAP season is open from Dec. 3, 2025, through Apr. 10, 2026. About 300,000 eligible Pennsylvanians use the program annually.

Applications will open Dec. 3, and some applications submitted earlier, during the government shutdown, are already being processed. State officials say typical cash-grant applications take about two weeks to process.

LIHEAP serves low-income households that earn less than 150% of the federal poverty level, helping to pay energy bills. For a household with one family member, that’s about $23,000 a year.

“Pennsylvanians to qualify for LIHEAP cash grant, can receive $200 up to $1,000 based on your household income and eligibility and things like that,” said Cwalina.

Approved moratorium

Gov. Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) agreed on a moratorium to keep utilities from shutting off service for households behind on payments. This happens every year, and usually runs from December through March, though this year it began in November because of the shutdown.

“The moratorium does not address outstanding bills or payments. So that’s why the LIHEAP program is so important for folks who are behind on their heating bills or who need a little assistance,” said Cwalina.

If approved, cash grant LIHEAP funds are sent directly to the utility company as a one-time payment for the season. Households facing immediate shutoff may qualify for a crisis grant, which can be reapplied for and issued multiple times in a season.

“You don’t need to know your eligibility in order to apply will take care of that for you. Additionally, public utilities in Pennsylvania also offer assistance programs, so if you’re not immediately eligible for LIHEAP, your private provider may be able to help you out as well,” Cwalina said.

If you would like to find out about your eligibility, follow this link.