Written By Case Manager, Jody Lose

The Home Energy Assistance Program for low-income customers, known as LIHEAP, opened on November 3, 2014.  This program helps low-income eligible customers with their heating bills or heating crisis throughout the fall, winter, and early spring seasons.

The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare administers this federally funded program.  To qualify you must meet certain income guidelines.  LIHEAP benefits are based on income, household size, the fuel type, and heating region where you live.  To receive help you do not have to be on public assistance, you do not have to have an unpaid heating bill, and you can either rent or own your own home.

Eligibility income requirements –

You can apply three different ways –

1.  Through the COMPASS website, www.compass.state.pa.us .

2.  Download a hard copy application from the LIHEAP website and turn it in to your local county assistance office.  Click here to access a fill-in application, https://www.dpw.state.pa.us/cs/groups/webcontent/documents/document/c_115648.pdf .  Request an application be mailed to you by calling the Statewide LIHEAP Hotline at 1-866-857-7095, or TDD for the hearing impaired at 1-800-451-5886.

3.  By filing an application in person at your local county assistance office.  A listing of county assistance offices can be found at https://www.dpw.state.pa.us/findfacilsandlocs/countyassistanceofficecontactinformation/index.htm.

Once you apply you will be sent a written notice that will tell you if you qualify and the amount of your grant.  The grant payment for heating assistance is sent directly to your utility company or fuel provider and is credited towards your bill.  In some cases the payment is mailed directly to you.

If you know of anyone that may benefit from this program, pass this information along.  Let’s keep everyone warm this winter.  The program closes on April 3, 2015.