From staff reports
The start of the annual Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) application process has begun.
The program, which provides home heating bills assistance for low-income Pennsylvanians, is available for renters and homeowners.
The application process opens today and ends April 9.
“You have options – PA 211 is one place you can turn. Simply dial 211, or text your ZIP code to 898-211 to speak with a resource navigator who will search for utility assistance that may be available in your area. 211 can also give you instructions about how to apply for LIHEAP.”
During the 2019-20 LIHEAP season, 312,140 households statewide received $88,692,268 million in LIHEAP cash benefits. These households received an average season benefit of $284.
According to a news release from the state Department of Human Services:
– The minimum cash benefit that can be received is $200 and the maximum is $1,000.
-The crisis maximum, which is the benefit for people who meet the poverty limits and are in jeopardy of having their heating utility service terminated, is being raised to $800, an increase of $200 from last year.
– The income limit for the program is 150% of the federal poverty limit. For a household of three, this would be $32,580 gross income per year and for a household of four would be $39,300 per year.
– Pennsylvanians do not need to know their own eligibility in order to apply for these programs. Those who applied and were denied previously but have experienced a change in circumstances can reapply.
Pennsylvanians can apply for LIHEAP and other public assistance programs at www.compass.state.pa.us.
Those who prefer to submit paper applications can print from the website or request an application by calling (800) 692-7462, and then mail it to their local county assistance office (CAO) or place it in a CAO’s secure drop box, if available.
Dropping applications off at a CAO using the drop box can help avoid an application delay due to postal service delays. CAOs remain closed to the public, but processing of applications, determining eligibility and issuing benefits continue.
