Press Release, for immediate release.
PITTSBURGH, PA (June 1, 2020) – The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has announced a summer utility assistance opportunity, the LIHEAP RECOVERY CRISIS PROGRAM. The program runs now through August 31, 2020, or until funds are exhausted.
This program includes two components to aid Pennsylvania residents who need assistance with utility costs due to the pandemic:
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Crisis Applications – The 2019-2020 Crisis maximum benefit has been increased to $800. Any LIHEAP Crisis-eligible household, including those that met the previous maximum of $600, would be eligible for a Crisis grant under this program.
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Supplemental Benefits – Many households who received a LIHEAP Crisis payment during the regular LIHEAP season received a one-time issuance of $100. This payment was sent to the vendor that received their most recent LIHEAP payment. This benefit was issued automatically. Households who received it will be notified by mail and will receive a credit on their utility bill.
To be eligible for the Crisis Program, a household must:
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Be responsible for paying their primary or secondary heating source.
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Have a total household income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines (FPIG). This means individuals with an annual income of up to $18,735 are eligible. A family of four can earn an annual income of up to $38,625.
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Be in arrears with their utility that could lead to future termination, be without heating utility service or heating fuel, or be within 15 days of being without heating fuel.
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The Crisis funds available to the household must be able to remedy the crisis situation.
To learn more or to apply for the LIHEAP RECOVERY CRISIS PROGRAM go to Peoples-Gas.com/LIHEAP.
Customers who qualify for LIHEAP or have had a recent change in income due to the pandemic may also be eligible for Peoples’ Customer Assistance Program (CAP). To learn about program eligibility, customers can use the online ProgramFinder at Peoples-Gas.com/Programs. Callers to Peoples’ toll-free number, 1-800-400-WARM (9276), can learn more about available programs and apply for CAP during the call.
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About Peoples:
Peoples, a division of Essential Utilities, provides natural gas service to approximately 740,000 homes and businesses in Western Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Kentucky. Peoples is committed to our customers, our employees, our environment, and to the regions we serve. For more information about Peoples, visit www.peoples-gas.com and follow Peoples on social media @peoplesnatgas.