HARRISBURG, Pa., Feb. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Low-income families facing a heating emergency or utility service termination may start to see some additional relief thanks to the recent increase in federal LIHEAP funds, acting Secretary of Public Welfare Harriet Dichter said today.

"The extra federal funding we have received allows us to really make a significant impact on the lives of low-income Pennsylvania families," said Dichter. "This new funding supports our efforts to keep low-income families safe and warm this winter."  

Dichter said the release of $26 million in federal contingency funds will make many families eligible to receive additional crisis grant funds to supplement their original grant, up to a maximum of $400. Crisis grants are approved for families with heating emergencies such as fuel shortages or utility terminations.

Regulated utility customers will also be eligible for additional grant funds as needed to resolve a termination notice that was issued on or after Feb. 1. Dichter noted that for families without heat, this additional financial support is critical to their health and well-being.

In most counties, individuals seeking crisis grants should contact their local county assistance office.  Residents of the counties listed below are encouraged to contact the agencies that operate the crisis component in their areas:

• Allegheny – Allegheny County Department of Human Services, (800) 851-3838;
• Carbon – Carbon County Action Committee, (610) 377-6400;
• Centre – Central PA Community Action Agency, (814) 765-1551 or Millheim Family Service Center, (814) 349-5850 or (800) 822-2610;
• Lackawanna – Scranton-Lackawanna Human Development Agency, (570) 963-6836;
• Lancaster – Community Action Program of Lancaster County, (800) 732-0018;
• Luzerne – Commission on Economic Opportunity of Luzerne County, (800) 822-0359;
• Wyoming – Commission on Economic Opportunity of Wyoming Co., (570) 836-4090  

Applications are available at county assistance offices, local utility companies and community service agencies, such as Area Agencies on Aging or community action agencies. Applications for LIHEAP cash grants will also be available online at www.compass.state.pa.us.

To ensure they have the resources to heat their homes the entire winter, LIHEAP consumers are urged to keep their thermostat at 65 degrees – unless they have young children or older adults living in the home, in which case it should be kept no lower than 68 degrees.

Visit www.turnsealsave.org to learn about available assistance programs, energy conservation and home weatherization tips.

Media contact: Stacey Witalec, 717-787-4592

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare

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http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/