PITTSBURGH \u2014 Applications opened Monday for Pennsylvania\u2019s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, allowing eligible Peoples Natural Gas customers to receive grants ranging from $200 to $1,000 toward their winter heating bills.<\/p>\n
The federally funded program provides grants administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. Once approved, grant funds are sent directly to Peoples Natural Gas and credited to the customer\u2019s utility account.<\/p>\n
Rita Black, director of community assistance programs at Peoples Natural Gas, encouraged customers to check their eligibility. <\/p>\n
\u201cAs colder weather approaches, we want our customers to know that help with heating bills is available,\u201d Black said. \u201cMany people are surprised to learn they qualify, so we encourage customers to review the income guidelines and see if they\u2019re eligible.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eligibility for the program is determined by household income, with both renters and homeowners qualified to apply. Applicants do not need to receive public assistance or have an overdue balance on their heating bill to be eligible. <\/p>\n
Grants are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional crisis grants are also available for customers facing heating emergencies, including broken equipment or shut-off notices.<\/p>\n
Customers can apply by visiting Peoples-Gas.com\/LIHEAP<\/a>, calling the program hotline at 1-866-857-7095 or contacting a local County Assistance Office. <\/p>\n After submitting an application, individuals can check their application status at trackmybenefits.pa.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n Peoples Natural Gas also provides several other payment assistance and energy-efficiency options for customers. The Customer Assistance Program offers eligible households a monthly payment amount determined by income, while the Dollar Energy Fund provides grants up to $500 while funds remain available. <\/p>\n Customers seeking consistent payments can enroll in Budget Billing to spread estimated annual natural gas costs evenly across the year. <\/p>\n The company also administers a Usage Reduction Program, which offers free weatherization and energy-efficiency improvements\u2014such as insulation, caulking and heating system upgrades\u2014to income-eligible households with high energy usage. <\/p>\n Customers can learn more about these programs by calling 1-800-400-WARM (9276) or visiting peoples-gas.com\/help<\/a>. <\/p>\n Download the FREE WPXI News app<\/a> for breaking news alerts.<\/p>\n Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook<\/a> and Twitter<\/a>. | Watch WPXI NOW<\/a><\/p>\n TOP STORIES FROM CHANNEL 11 NEWS <\/p>\n \u00a92026 Cox Media Group<\/p>\n