Pennsylvania Governor Corbett Extends Home Heating Assistance Program for Low-Income Families

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 25, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett announced today that Pennsylvanians struggling to pay home heating bills will have extra time, through April 18, to apply for financial help through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

The federally-funded program was slated to end April 4, but the state's efficient management of the program has enabled an extension through April 18.

"Pennsylvania has had a difficult winter, and programs like LIHEAP have helped our most vulnerable households to endure the cold temperatures," Corbett said. "By providing this extension, our Department of Public Welfare is able to give individuals additional time to apply for home heating assistance so they can keep warm for the remainder of the season."

Since the beginning of the LIHEAP season on Nov. 4, the department has processed approximately 357,000 applications for cash assistance to help low-income households pay for home heating fuel. It has also granted more than 107,000 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.

Individuals can apply for a LIHEAP grant online at www.compass.state.pa.us or 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 LIHEAP, visit www.dpw.state.pa.us.

Media contact:    Christine Cronkright, Governor's Office, 717-783-1116
Kait Gillis, DPW, 717-425-7606

Editor's Note:
Eligibility guidelines for the 2013-14 LIHEAP season differ from last year and are set at 150 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines. The chart below shows the maximum income allowed for eligibility based on household size. Each additional person in the household adds $6,030 to the maximum income allowed for eligibility.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor