Pennsylvania DPW: Still Time to Apply for Low-Income Home Heating Assistance Program

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As temperatures in Pennsylvania begin to rise, acting Secretary of Public Welfare Harriet Dichter today reminded low-income families there is still time to apply for heating assistance.

The Low-Income Home Heating Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, is accepting applications through Friday, April 2.

"The last few weeks of winter were very trying, with significant snowfall in many areas and temperatures dipping well below freezing. During that time families in need continued to apply for assistance," Dichter said.  "As we look forward to warmer days as we move through March, families in need should feel confident that assistance remains available, should they need it."

LIHEAP provides cash grants to help low-income households pay for home heating fuel and crisis grants to address heating emergencies.

Cash grants are based on income, family size, type of heating fuel and region. Crisis grants are provided to resolve heating emergencies, such as furnace failures or unexpected fuel shortages. 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 that they use. 

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 are available on the department's Web site at www.dpw.state.pa.us and can also be submitted online at www.compass.state.pa.us.

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  

To ensure they have the resources to heat their homes the entire winter, LIHEAP consumers are urged to keep their thermostat at 65 degrees. Homes with young children or older adults should be kept no cooler 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