Help for low-income residents to pay heating bills has been extended

The limit is a household income of $39,750 for a family of four

The state Department of Human Services said Thursday that Monday that application deadline for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program has been extended to June 17.

The federally-funded program provides low-income Pennsylvanians with help paying their home heating bills.

To be eligible for a LIHEAP grant a household must earn 150% of the federal poverty limit or less. For a family of four that would $39,750 or less.

“The LIHEAP season is closing for the year on June 17, so Pennsylvanians who may still need help with their heating bills should apply now,” said Human

Services Secretary Meg Snead. “LIHEAP helps some of the commonwealth’s most vulnerable citizens — children, older Pennsylvanians, people with disabilities, and low-income families — make ends meet and keep their homes safer.”

The minimum cash grant is $500, and the maximum grant is $1,500.

To apply for LIHEAP visit compass.state.pa.us or call 866-550-4355.

During the 2020-21 season, LIHEAP provided 303,123 Pennsylvania households a total of $84.9 million in cash grant benefits. A total of 116,639 household received a total of just over $50.7 million in crisis benefits.

Along with LIHEAP, utility assistance is also available through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program.

Pennsylvanians who are responsible for paying rent or utilities on a residential property, and have one or more people within the household who have experienced financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic that puts them at risk of homelessness or a utility shutoff, could be eligible for up to 18 months of ERAP assistance.

For more information on that program visit dhs. pa.gov/erap.