HARRISBURG – State Rep. Camille “Bud” George, D-74 of Houtzdale, said the Low Income Heating Assistance Program — LIHEAP — crisis grants have been increased to $400 and the heating assistance program extended to March 30.
“It’s great news for residents struggling to keep warm until warmer weather arrives,” George said. “LIHEAP recipients who have already spent their $300 in crisis benefits can now apply for an additional $100 if they experience another home-heating emergency.”
LIHEAP information and applications are available at county assistance offices. The numbers, regular and toll free where available, are:
? Blair County, 946-7170
? Clearfield County, 765-0684 and 800 862-8941
? Centre County, 863-6571 and 800 355-6024
? Jefferson County, 938-2990 and 800 242-8214
? Elk County, 772-5215 or 776-1101 and 800 847-0257
Applications also may be made online. A toll-free hotline — 866 857-7095 — is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Mondays through Fridays for LIHEAP questions.
An individual earning up to $14,700 annually is eligible — add $5,100 for each additional family member — for LIHEAP cash grants of $100 or more to help people pay heating bills and crisis grants of now up to $400.
“Almost 400,000 Pennsylvania families have received heating assistance through LIHEAP this season,” George said. “The late-winter boost may be the last good news for a while as the proposed federal budget projects a $28 million cut in LIHEAP funding to Pennsylvania for the next heating season, meaning an estimated 62,000 state residents could be left out in the cold.”
