LiHEAP Pennsylvania

LIHEAP in Pennsylvania

When residents, individuals and families are facing hard times paying for rising heating costs, they have the ability to turn to local, state and federal programs for help. The Pennsylvania LIHEAP benefit program is a federally-funded service that provides assistance to qualified residents. In order to qualify for benefits, residents must apply on a yearly basis and meet the minimum household income guidelines. Pennsylvania LIHEAP has provided assistance to 547,000 residents as of 2010. Aside from state agencies and community action agencies, households can apply for Pennsylvania LIHEAP through your utility company. Supporting companies include:

• Adams Electric Co-op
• Allegheny Power
• Central Electric Co-op
• Centre County Utilities
• Citizen’s Electric
• Citizen’s Energy
• Claverack Electric Co-op
• Columbia Gas
• Duquesne Light
• Equitable Gas
• Metropolitan Edison
• Montgomery County Utilities
• National Fuel Gas
• New Enterprise REC
• Northwestern Rural Electric Co-op
• PECO
• Penelec
• Penn Power
• Pennsylvania Power and Light
• Peoples Natural Gas
• Philadelphia Gas Works
• REA Energy Co-op
• Royersford
• Somerset Rural Electric Co-op
• Spring City Utilities
• TW Philips Gas and Oil
• UGI Central Penn Gas
• UGI Penn Natural Gas
• UGI Utilities
• Wellsboro Electric Company

Pennsylvania LIHEAP Assistance

The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare and County Assistance Programs are the main resources available to residents that need assistance in paying heating expenses. LIHEAP in Pennsylvania accepts applications throughout the year, but the funding is only available during select months. The program also has a limited amount of funding, so households should contact the agencies early and often until the application process is complete. After the Pennsylvania LIHEAP application is submitted and approved, the benefits arrive to the state agencies and community action agencies. The heating benefit amounts available to residents are $300 (minimum) and $1,000 (maximum).

If you receive Pennsylvania LIHEAP benefits and your heating expenses are not covered, consider contacting your local utility provider for additional funding.

LIHEAP Application & How to Apply

The application process for Pennsylvania LIHEAP is an on-going process with funding dispersed between November 1 and March 30. Residents are in crisis situations can apply and expect benefits between January 3 and March 30.

Even though individuals and families can apply for Pennsylvania LIHEAP through your local utility company, the most efficient way to apply for benefits is to contact the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare or Community Assistance Programs at 1-866-857-7095.

LIHEAP Eligibility – Am I Eligible?

In order to qualify for Pennsylvania LIHEAP benefits, households must meet the minimum financial guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. For Pennsylvania, residents must be at or below 160% of the federal poverty level, as of 2011.

For households that have more than eight members, you will need to add an additional $6,112, at 160% of the poverty level.

Do you fall into the federal guidelines? In the event your do, contact local organization or your utility company to apply for Pennsylvania LIHEAP benefits.