LIHEAP applications being accepted

Eligible Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to apply for the LowIncome Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), state Rep. Paul Clymer, R-145, said.

LIHEAP helps lowincome people pay their heating bills through home energy assistance grants and crisis grants. Cash grants are awarded based on household income, family size, type of heating fuel and region. Crisis grants are provided in the event of a heating emergency, including broken heating equipment or leaking lines that must be fixHd Rr rHSODFHd, ODFN of fuel, termination of utility service or danger of being without fuel or of having utility service terminated. In most counties, assistance with home heating crisis situations is available 24 hours a day.

The Department of Public Welfare has sent all LIHEAP clients who applied online last year a postcard notice encouraging them to reap- ply online. In the past, the department sent only paper applications to all prospective clients, even if those individuals applied online the previous year. Previous recipients of LIHEAP had the opportunity to apply prior to the LIHEAP program opening date of Nov. 1.

Prior applicants who did not apply online last year are still being mailed paper applications.

By way of the new postcard, clients are provided with a pre-registration number giving them access to an online ap- plication that has already EHHn fiOOHd RuW usLnJ ODsW year’s data. Clients simply have to ensure online information is correct and update anything that may have changed, such as an address.

All online applications are sent straight to the FRunWy RIfiFH WR dHWHrmine eligibility, thereby eliminating mail and hand processing time.

New applicants could begin applying for the program Nov. 1.

For more information or to apply online, visit PaulClymer.com.