LIHEAP Program Opened Nov. 1

HARRISBURG – Eligible Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to apply for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

LIHEAP helps low-income people pay their heating bills through home energy assistance grants and crisis grants. Cash grants are awarded based on household income, family size, type of heating fuel and region. Crisis grants are provided in the event of a heating emergency, including broken heating equipment or leaking lines that must be fixed or replaced, lack of fuel, termination of utility service or danger of being without fuel or of having utility service terminated. In most counties, assistance with home heating crisis situations is available 24 hours a day.

The Department of Public Welfare is sending all LIHEAP clients who applied online last year a postcard notice encouraging them to reapply online. In the past, the department sent only paper applications to all perspective clients, even if those individuals applied online the previous year. Previous recipients of LIHEAP had the opportunity to apply prior to the LIHEAP program opening date of Nov. 1.

Prior applicants who did not apply online last year will still be mailed paper applications.

By way of the new postcard, clients will be provided with a pre-registration number giving them access to an online application that has already been filled out using last year’s data. Clients will simply have to ensure online information is correct and update anything that may have changed, such as an address.

All online applications are sent straight to the county office to determine eligibility, thereby eliminating mail and hand processing time.

New applicants can now begin applying for the program.