ALL RIGHT, AMY, THANK YOU. AND AS THE SHUTDOWN CONTINUES AND FUNDING IS DELAYED TO CRITICAL PROGRAMS LIKE LIHEAP, THE PENNSYLVANIA PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION IS URGING CUSTOMERS WHO RELY ON THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO CALL UTILITIES. NOW TO MAKE SURE YOU STAY WARM, SAFE AND CONNECTED THIS WINTER. SO IN A STATEMENT, PUC CHAIRMAN SAYS IN PART, QUOTE, I WANT TO REASSURE FAMILIES THAT UTILITIES ACROSS PENNSYLVANIA HAVE TOLD THE PUC THEY HAVE NO INTENTION OF TERMINATING SERVICE FOR ELIGIBLE CUSTOMERS DURING THIS CURRENT GAP PERIOD. AT THE SAME TIME, WE ENCOURAGE EVERY HOUSEHOLD TO CONTACT THEIR UTILITIES. NOW TO TALK ABOUT AVAILABLE AFFORDABILITY OPTIONS, PAYMENT PLANS AND OTHER PROGRAMS THAT CAN REDUCE STRESS BEFORE WINTER FULLY SETS IN. AND THE PUC SAYS IT’S MADE IT CLEAR WITH MAJOR ELECTRIC AND NATURAL UTILITIES THAT LIHEAP ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS WILL NOT FACE SERVICE TERMINATION FOR NONPAYMENT DURING THE PERIOD BETWEEN THE TRADITIONAL START OF THE SEASON, WHICH IS NOVEMBER 1ST AND THE BEGINNING OF THE COMMISSION’
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission reassures families amid shutdown
Updated: 4:37 PM EST Nov 4, 2025
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) is urging customers who rely on the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to contact their utilities to ensure they remain warm, safe, and connected this winter as the government shutdown continues.In a statement, PUC Chairman Steve DeFrank said, “I want to reassure families that utilities across Pennsylvania have told the PUC they have no intention of terminating service for LIHEAP-eligible customers during this current gap period. At the same time, we encourage every household to contact their utilities now – to talk about available affordability options, payment plans and other programs that can reduce stress before winter fully sets in.”The PUC says it has made it clear with major electric and natural gas utilities that LIHEAP-eligible households will not face service termination for non-payment during the period between the traditional start of the LIHEAP season on Nov. 1 and the beginning of the commission’s winter termination moratorium on Dec. 1.
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) is urging customers who rely on the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to contact their utilities to ensure they remain warm, safe, and connected this winter as the government shutdown continues.
In a statement, PUC Chairman Steve DeFrank said, “I want to reassure families that utilities across Pennsylvania have told the PUC they have no intention of terminating service for LIHEAP-eligible customers during this current gap period. At the same time, we encourage every household to contact their utilities now – to talk about available affordability options, payment plans and other programs that can reduce stress before winter fully sets in.”
The PUC says it has made it clear with major electric and natural gas utilities that LIHEAP-eligible households will not face service termination for non-payment during the period between the traditional start of the LIHEAP season on Nov. 1 and the beginning of the commission’s winter termination moratorium on Dec. 1.