HARRISBURG – Pennsylvanians struggling to pay home heating bills will have extra time to apply for financial help through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Secretary of the Department of Public Welfare Gary D. Alexander announced.
The federally-funded program was slated to end March 30, but the state’s efficient management of the program has enabled an extension through April 13.
“This extension will give individuals more time to apply for home heating assistance so they can keep warm for the remainder of the season,” Alexander said.
Since the LIHEAP program began taking applications last November, it has received 533,626 applications for cash assistance to help low-income households pay for home heating fuel. It has also received 89,821 applications for crisis grants, which assist with heating emergencies such as a furnace failure or unexpected fuel shortages.
Cash grants are based on household income, family size, type of heating fuel and region. In addition to proof of income and household size, applicants must provide a recent bill or a statement from their fuel dealer verifying their customer status and the type of fuel used.
Apply for a LIHEAP grant online at www.compass.state.pa.us; residents can also apply in-person at county assistance offices. You may also call the statewide toll-free hotline at 1-866-857-7095 with questions about the program.
For more information about the Department of Public Welfare, visit the agency online at www.dpw.state.pa.us.
Editor’s Note: Household sizes and income limits for LIHEAP’s 2011-12 season are listed below.
1 person — $16,335 maximum income
2 people — $22,065 maximum income
3 people — $27,795 maximum income
4 people — $33,525 maximum income
5 people — $39,255 maximum income
6 people — $44,985 maximum income
7 people — $50,715 maximum income
8 people — $56,445 maximum income
9 people — $62,175 maximum income
10 people — $67,905 maximum income
(For each additional person, add $5,730)