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The Department of Human Services is accepting both crisis and regular applications for Pennsylvania’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) through April 12.
LIHEAP provides assistance for home heating bills to keep Pennsylvanians with lower incomes warm and safe during the winter months. Assistance is available for renters and homeowners.
During the 2017-18 LIHEAP season, 344,008 households statewide received $115,936,887 million in LIHEAP cash benefits. These households received an average season benefit of $337.
LIHEAP benefits are paid directly to the utility company or fuel provider.
Eligibility for the 2018-19 LIHEAP season is set at 150 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines. The chart below shows the maximum income allowed for eligibility based on household size:
| Household size | Maximum Income |
| 1 | $18,210 |
| 2 | $24,690 |
| 3 | $31,170 |
| 4 | $37,650 |
| 5 | $44,130 |
| 6 | $50,610 |
| 7 | $57,090 |
| 8 | $63,570 |
| 9 | $70,050 |
| 10 | $76,530 |
In addition to financial assistance, eligible customers may also be able to receive LIHEAP support for emergencies due to broken or faulty heating units, fuel lines, windows, or pipes.
Should any of those emergencies occur, customers can contact their caseworker to see if the unit can be repaired or replaced through LIHEAP’s Crisis Interface Program.
Online applications for LIHEAP can be completed at compass.state.pa.us or on the myCOMPASS PA mobile app if you received LIHEAP during the 2017-18 season.
Paper applications are available through local county assistance offices, or interested applicants can download and print an application from the department’s website.
For more information on LIHEAP, visit dhs.pa.gov.