PA Extends Low-Income Home Energy Assistance – LIHEAP Deadline To May 20
On April 28, Department of Human Services Acting Secretary Meg Snead announced the deadline to apply for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has been extended to May 20. It had been May 6.
DHS has been able to provide increased benefits for this extended LIHEAP season due to the availability of funds through the federal American Rescue Plan Act.
The minimum cash grant for LIHEAP is $500, and the maximum cash grant is $1,500.
Those who need the LIHEAP crisis grant – the benefit for people who meet the poverty limits and are in jeopardy of having their heating utility service terminated or have less than two weeks’ worth of fuel – can receive a maximum grant of $1,200.
LIHEAP is distributed directly to a household’s utility company or home heating fuel provider in the form of a grant, so the individual or households do not have to repay assistance.
The income limit for the program is 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Limit. For a household of four, this would be $39,750 gross income per year.
Pennsylvanians do not need to know their own eligibility in order to apply for these programs.
Those who applied and were denied previously but have experienced a change in circumstances can reapply.
Click Here for helpful tips on keeping warm throughout the winter while saving money on utility costs.
Pennsylvanians can apply for LIHEAP and other public assistance programs online at www.compass.state.pa.us and can apply for Medical Assistance (MA) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by phone at 1-866-550-4355.
On-site County Assistance Office (CAO) services are available if clients cannot access online services or need assistance that cannot be accessed through the COMPASS website, the myCOMPASS PA mobile app, or by calling the Customer Service Centers at 215-560-7226 for Philadelphia clients or 1-877-395-8930 for clients in all other counties.
