The Pennsylvania Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low income people pay their heating bills through energy assistance grants. People need not have an unpaid bill to receive energy assistance. People can receive this money without being on welfare.
No lien is placed on the person's property if they receive this help.
Cash Grants
If a person is eligible for LIHEAP, a cash grant payment will be sent directly to the utility/fuel dealer, and the payment will be credited on the person's bill. In some cases, a check may be mailed to the recipient. Crisis Grants
Additional money is available to individuals if they have an emergency situation and are in jeopardy of losing their heat. Emergency situations include:
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broken heating equipment or leaking lines that must be fixed or replaced
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lack of fuel
-
termination of utility service
-
danger of being without fuel or of having utility service terminated
Assistance with emergency situations is available 24 hours a day. For more information, contact your local County Assistance Office.
How to Apply
The 2009-2010 LIHEAP season is now open for applications. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Application or Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Application - Spanish Version are available on line at http://www.compass.state.pa.us, as well as at the County Assistance Office.
County Assistance Office addresses and telephone numbers
To apply you will need the following:
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Names of people in the household
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Dates of birth for people in the household
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Social Security Numbers for all household members
-
Proof of income for members of the household
-
A copy of a recent heating bill
LIHEAP applications printed from the Internet and submitted to the County Assistance Offices will be processed beginning on November 2, 2009.
2009-2010 LIHEAP Program Dates
|
|
Opening Date
|
Closing Date
|
|
Cash
|
November 2, 2009
|
April 16, 2010
|
|
Crisis
|
January 4, 2010
|
April 16, 2010
|
The Cash and Crisis components are tentatively scheduled to close on the dates indicated above or when the funds are depleted, whichever occurs first. Apply as soon as possible.
Who is Eligible
The Income Guidelines for the 2009-2010 program year are listed below for homeowners and renters who are on a low or fixed income, and whose yearly income before taxes is at or less than:
| |
Cash/Crisis Program Income Limit |
| 1 |
$16,245 |
| 2 |
$21,855 |
| 3 |
$27,465 |
| 4 |
$33,075 |
| 5 |
$38,685 |
| 6 |
$44,295 |
| 7 |
$49,905 |
| 8 |
$55,515 |
| 9 |
$61,125 |
| 10 |
$66,735 |
| |
|
| |
|
Each Additional Person Add $ 5,610
* FPIGs = Federal Poverty Income Guidelines
When You are Eligible
30 days after you apply for energy assistance, you will receive written notice explaining your eligibility and the amount of assistance you can expect to receive.
Your Rights
If you are not satisfied with the grant amount you receive or the way you are treated, you can request a hearing through the County Assistance Office.
Questions About LIHEAP
If you have questions about LIHEAP you may call your County Assistance Office or the toll-free LIHEAP hotline at 1-866-857-7095 (individuals with hearing impairments may call the TDD number at 1-800-451-5886).
Additional Low Income Energy programs
You may be eligible for other low income energy programs offered by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission in addition to the LIHEAP program.
Who is eligible?
Eligibility is based on income and household size
For additional information contact the following:
York County Assistance Office
130 North Duke Street
York, PA 17405
(717) 771-1100 or 1-800-991-0929
Liheap Clearinghouse
Energy Assistance Information