LIHEAP Program Expands Eligibility

By: State: Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is making it easier this winter for families coping with a sluggish economy and soaring energy costs to receive help paying heating bills.

The state and federal governments are making more than $280 million available to Pennsylvania residents through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) administered by the state Department of Public Welfare (DPW). The additional funding means an estimated 450,000 Pennsylvania households are eligible for LIHEAP—about 110,000 more than last year.

LIHEAP helps people pay their heating bills through home heating energy assistance grants. You need not have an unpaid bill to receive LIHEAP assistance. Additional money may be available if you have an emergency situation and are in jeopardy of losing your heat. Examples of emergency situations include: broken heating equipment or leaking lines that must be fixed or replaced, lack of fuel, termination of utility service or danger of being without fuel or of having utility service terminated.

The additional funding allowed LIHEAP eligibility to be expanded from 150 percent to approximately 210 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines. This means that a family of four with an annual income of $44,443 qualifies for LIHEAP in the 2008-09 season. The minimum cash grant amount to families has also increased from $100 to $300, while raising the maximum crisis grant from $300 to $800.

"The most important thing to remember is that LIHEAP funds are available on a first-come, first served basis," said AARP Pennsylvania State Director Dick Chevrefils. "I encourage eligible families to apply for assistance immediately."

LIHEAP 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 online at www.compass.state.pa.us. PA residents can also call the toll-free LIHEAP Hotline at 866-857-7095, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
 
Additional information about other types of heating assistance programs, including those sponsored by utility companies, is available at www.staywarmPA.com.

2008-09 LIHEAP INCOME ELIGIBILITY

Key: Household Size — Annual Household Income Limit Before Taxes
 
1 — $23,110   
2 — $30,221   
3 — $37,332  
4 — $44,443   
5 — $51,554 
6 — $58,665
7 — $59,998
8 — $61,332 
9 — $62,665
10 — $64,200

Each Additional Person Add — $5,400