Deasy Discusses the Home Energy Assistance Program

Pennsylvania's home energy assistance program, also known as LIHEAP, is administered by the Department of Public Welfare and began accepting applications on Nov. 1.

The program consists of three components: cash benefits to help eligible low-income households pay for their home-heating fuel; crisis payments, if needed, to resolve weather-related, supply shortage, and other household energy-related emergencies; and energy conservation and weatherization measures to address long-range solutions to the home-heating problems of low-income households.

Cash Grants: Program opened Nov. 1
Those meeting the income guidelines for LIHEAP can receive a cash grant, sent directly to the utility company. Income guidelines for this program can be obtained by calling my office or visiting the DPW website.

In addition to the LIHEAP cash program, households experiencing a heating crisis may be eligible for additional benefits through one of the two components of the LIHEAP crisis program.

Crisis Exception program: The Crisis Exception program
opened Nov. 1.
Households without heat may qualify for additional help. To be considered “without heat,” 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 or a household has almost run out of their supply of main heating fuel (coal, fuel oil, kerosene, propane, wood, etc.).
Households in need of a Crisis Exception grant should contact the Allegheny County Assistance Office.

Regular Crisis program: The Regular Crisis program opens on Jan. 2, 2013.
Additional money may be available if you have an emergency situation and are in jeopardy of losing your heat.

Emergency situations include: Broken heating equipment or leaking lines that must be fixed or replaced, lack of fuel, termination of utility service, danger of being without fuel (less than a 15 day supply) or of having utility service terminated (received a notice that service will be shut off within the next 60 days).

Assistance with home heating crisis situations will be available 24 hours a day; you can contact the Allegheny County Assistance office at 412-565-2146.

Applications for LIHEAP are also available in my office and my staff is available to assist you. If you have questions on this or any other state-related matter, please don’t hesitate to call my office at 412-928-9514.

Click here for more information about the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.