Heating Assistance Program Now Open

Residents who struggle with their home heating bills may now apply for help through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps individuals and families pay their heating bills through home heating energy assistance grants. The minimum cash grant is $200 and the maximum is $1,000. Households may receive one cash grant per LIHEAP season.

The program also provides crisis grants to help in the event of an emergency or if a resident is in danger of losing his or her heat due to broken equipment, lack of fuel or termination of utility service. The minimum crisis grant is $25 and the maximum is $1,000. Households may apply and be eligible for more than one crisis grant if they experience more than one emergency per LIHEAP season.

To qualify for LIHEAP, you must meet income requirements, which are set based on your household size. For example, the maximum annual income for an individual is $23,940 and for a family of four it is $49,500. For each additional person, add $8,520 to the income limit.

Residents may apply for LIHEAP online at www.dhs.pa.gov/COMPASS, by phone at 1-866-857-7095 or by contacting the County Assistance Office in their county of residence.