How to Get Help with Utility Costs

Pennsylvania

Temperatures are dropping and heating bills are getting higher, but luckily there’s a federally-funded program that helps eligible households in Pennsylvania cover energy costs. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) gives eligible households a discount on energy bills and provides emergency energy assistance, weatherization, and energy-related home repairs to keep Pennsylvanians safe and warm this winter.

If you’re struggling to cover your home energy costs or have been threatened with disconnection, LIHEAP may be able to help. Both homeowners and renters may be eligible for this program. This one-time benefit is applied directly to the household’s utility bill or bulk fuel bill.

You can find more info. here on how to apply

QUALIFICATIONS
You must meet income guidelines.

• You don’t have to be on public assistance
• You don’t need to have an unpaid heating bill
• You can rent or own your home   
  

Please Note: Crisis assistance is available for those who are behind on their bills or facing shut off. Please apply in the COMPASS portal even if you believe you may not qualify.

CRISIS GRANTS
Households experiencing a heating crisis may be eligible for additional benefits through the LIHEAP crisis program. Emergency situations include:

• Broken heating equipment or leaking lines that must be fixed or replaced
• Lack of fuel
• The main heating source or second heating source (a source that is used to operate the main heating source or used if the main heating source is not working) has been completely shut-off
• The danger of being without fuel (less than a 15 day supply)
• The danger of having utility service terminated (you’ve received a notice that service will be shut off within the next 60 days)
  
  You can find more info here on how to apply

INCOME REQUIREMENTS
Here are the LIHEAP income requirements for 2023-2024

​Household Size	​Income Limit
1	​$21,870
2	$29,580
3	​$37,290
4	​$45,000
5	​$52,710
6	$60,420
7	​$68,130
8	$75,840
9	​$83,550
10	​$91,260
11+	​For every additional person, add $7,710

HOW TO APPLY
There are two ways to apply for LIHEAP:

• Online: Apply for benefits online using COMPASS, the online tool for Pennsylvanians to apply for health and human service programs and manage benefit information.
• On paper: You can download a paper application, print it, fill it out, and return it to your local county assistance office. 
  
  • 2023-2024 LIHEAP Application — English
  • 2023-2024 LIHEAP Application — Spanish

 After your application is reviewed, you will receive written notice explaining your eligibility and the amount of assistance you will receive. Please allow 30 days for a response.

You may also download the COMPASS app here:
Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id1172909820
Android: http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gov.pa.dhs.compassmobile

SHARE WITH OTHERS
Spread the word about this program with friends, neighbors, or family members who may need some help with winter by sharing this link with benefits information: https://workam.org/PA-LIHEAP