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PA Residents Can Get Help with Utility Bills
The PA Summer LIHEAP Recovery Crisis Program is accepting applications for utility assistance.
Due to the COVID-19 crisis, many people are facing financial difficulties. For utility customers in Pennsylvania, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has opened a Recovery Crisis Program to help PA residents with their utility bills.
The program will be accepting applications through August 31st, 2020 or until funds are exhausted, whichever comes first.
The program includes two components for residents who may need assistance due to the pandemic:
- 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.
- Supplemental Benefits — Many households who received a LIHEAP Crisis payment during the regular LIHEAP season will receive a one-time issuance of $100. This payment will be sent to the vendor that received their most recent LIHEAP payment. Households who receive this issuance will be notified by mail. This $100 will count towards the new maximum Crisis benefit amount for the household. This benefit will be issued automatically and no application is needed.
Do I Qualify?
To be eligible for the Crisis Program, a household must:
|
Household Size
|
Income Limit
|
|
1
|
$18,735
|
|
2
|
$25,365
|
|
3
|
$31,995
|
|
4
|
$38,625
|
|
5
|
$45,255
|
|
6
|
$51,885
|
|
7
|
$58,515
|
|
8
|
$65,145
|
|
9
|
$71,775
|
|
10
|
$78,40
|
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Be in jeopardy of having their heating utility service terminated, be without heating utility service or heating fuel, or be within 15 days of being without heating fuel.The Crisis funds available to the household must be able to remedy the crisis situation. Under normal circumstances, a shut-off letter is needed to confirm a crisis for electric or natural gas providers. However, due to the extended moratorium, the Department of Human Services (DHS) will accept a past due balance if the amount would result in a shut-off notice were the moratorium not in effect. DHS will also issue Crisis to cover past-due deliverable fuel bills if the deliverable fuel company will not complete a new delivery due to the past-due balance.
How Do I Apply?
You can submit your LIHEAP application through the COMPASS website or by paper application. You may call 1-877-395-8930 to request a paper application be mailed to you. Paper applications can be mailed to the County Assistance Office (CAO) in your county.
To learn more about how this LIHEAP Recovery Crisis program, please visit the PA Department of Human Services website.
Apply Now