LIHEAP: Homeowners and renters can get help with winter heating bills; apply by April 5, 2024

(updated April 2, 2024; original post Nov. 5, 2023)

Deadline to apply for LIHEAP: Friday, April 5, 2024.

Apply by Friday, April 5 for both cash and crisis grants through Pennsylvania’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Scroll down for this season’s income guidelines, how to apply, locations to apply in person in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties, and local LIHEAP hotlines.

If you receive a denial, Legal Aid of Southeastern PA may be able to help.

March 15, 2024 update from the PA Dept. of Human Services

On March 15, 2024, the PA Dept. of Human Services (DHS) announced that it is currently issuing LIHEAP crisis payments. DHS temporarily stopped issuing LIHEAP cash payments until the federal budget is passed. A state press release notes, ”DHS is prioritizing LIHEAP Crisis benefits to ensure the individuals most at risk do not lose essential home energy services. DHS will continue to accept and process all applications for LIHEAP and is not planning to shorten the LIHEAP season, which remains open through April 5, 2024.”

APPLY FOR BOTH CASH AND CRISIS GRANTS BY FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2024.

2023-24 LASP LIHEAP flyer

2023-24 LIHEAP home heating flyer for Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties

& Pennsylvania Utility Law Project (PULP) Spanish-English fact sheets

LASP LIHEAP flyer for 4 counties

PULP Spanish-English fact sheets

**Legal Aid of Southeastern PA’s** **2023-24 LIHEAP flyer** **for Bucks, Chester, Delaware & Montgomery counties (1-page PDF)**
**Pennsylvania’s LIHEAP** webpage includes links to 2-page 2023-24 LIHEAP brochures in English and Spanish.

Applications are open open Nov. 1, 2023 to April 5, 2024

The PA Dept. of Human Resources announced in a press release that LIHEAP is open for applications from Nov. 1, 2023 until Friday, April 5, 2024.

What is LIHEAP?

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps families living on low incomes to pay heating bills with a grant. The money does not have to be paid back.

To get help:

You must meet income guidelines (150% of federal poverty guidelines; see below).
You do NOT need to receive public benefits.
You do NOT need to have an unpaid heating bill.
Your heat can still be on.
You can rent or own your home.
You must apply again this year, even if you received LIHEAP last year.

How to apply for LIHEAP in 2023-24

To apply, you will need: Names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and proof of income for all household members, and a recent heating bill.
Apply online: www.compass.state.pa.us
Call: 866-857-7095
In person at your County Assistance Office Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Download the form in English or Spanish. Print, fill it out, and return it to your local county assistance office.

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.

Bucks County: 1214 Veterans Highway, Bristol, PA 19007 (LIHEAP 215-781-3393 or 800-616-6481)
Chester County: 100 James Buchanan Drive, Thorndale, PA 19372 (LIHEAP 610-466-1042)
Delaware County (Crosby District): 701 Crosby Street, Suite A, Chester, PA 19013 (LIHEAP 610-447-3099)
Delaware County (Darby District): 845 Main Street, Darby, PA 19023 (610-461-3800)
Montgomery County (Norristown District): 1931 New Hope Street, Norristown, PA 19401 (LIHEAP: 610-272-1752)
Montgomery County (Pottstown District): 24 Robinson Street, Pottstown, PA 19464 (LIHEAP 610-272-1752)

2023-24 LIHEAP income limits

(150% of the federal poverty guidelines)

Household of 1 - income limit of $1,822 per month, or $21,870 per year
Household of 2 - income limit of $2,465 per month, or $29,580 per year
Household of 3 - income limit of $3,107 per month, or $37,290 per year
Household of 4 - income limit of $3,750 per month, or $45,000 per year
Household of 5 - income limit of $4,392 per month, or $52,710 per year
Household of 6 - income limit of $5,035 per month, or $60,420 per year
Household of 7 `- income limit of $5,677 per month, or $68,130 per year
Household of 8 - income limit of $6,320 per month, or $75,840 per year
Household of 9 - Income limit of $6,963 per month, or $83,550 per year
For every additional person, add $642 per month, or $7,710 per year.

Income NOT counted for LIHEAP eligibility

Even if you make more income than the above amount, you may still be able to get help through this program!

Certain income is not considered when calculating household income to determine LIHEAP eligibility, including but not limited to:

SNAP benefits (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or food stamps)
Medicare premiums deducted from social security benefit payments
Wage earnings of a dependent child under age 18
Income tax refunds
Cash or in-kind assistance with heating costs provided by private or public agencies or utility companies.

LIHEAP has cash & crisis grants (you can get both)

Cash grants

$300-$1,000 to pay heating bills. One-time payment, usually sent directly to the utility company/fuel provider. This year every household that qualifies for a LIHEAP cash grant will also receive a one-time $150 LIHEAP supplement approximately one to two months after their initial LIHEAP cash grant is issued.
Eligibility: Income; home heating responsibility; responsible for primary or supplemental heat; includes renters who pay for heat as part of rent, even without a utility account; Pennsylvania resident.

Crisis grants

$25-$1,000 to help in an emergency, if you might lose your heat.
Call County Assistance Office.
For broken heating equipment or leaking lines; lack of fuel; shut-off; danger of being without fuel (less than a 15 day supply); danger of having utility service terminated (you received a notice that service will be shut off within the next 60 days).

Emergency heating system repair

Renters may apply, but landlord permission may be required.
Provides emergency furnace repair or replacement, and other weatherization and energy efficiency measures to help decrease energy use and improve home safety and comfort.

Receive a LIHEAP denial? Contact Legal Aid of Southeastern PA

If you receive a denial for LIHEAP, contact Legal Aid of Southeastern PA. LASP provides free civil legal aid in Bucks, Chester, Delaware & Montgomery counties. 877-429-5994, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. or lasp.org/apply.

Se habla español. Language access & interpretation available for 240+ other languages.

LIHEAP en español

Si necesita ayuda para pagar sus facturas de calefacción o si tiene una emergencia de calefacción...es posible que pueda recibir ayuda de LIHEAP

Línea de asistencia sin cargo en todo el estado 866-857-7095 Condado de Philadelphia Llame al (215) 560-1583. Las personas sordas, con problemas de audición o con discapacidades del habla y que deseen comunicarse con la línea de ayuda pueden llamar a los Servicios de Información de Pennsylvania al 711.

Solicite en línea en www.compass.state.pa.us

¿Qué es LIHEAP?

El Programa de Asistencia de Energía para Hogares de Bajos Ingresos (LIHEAP) ayuda a las familias de bajos ingresos a pagar sus facturas de calefacción.

LIHEAP es un subsidio. No lo tiene que devolver.

Para recibir ayuda…

Presentar la solicitud entre el 1 de noviembre de 2023 y el 5 de abril de 2024.
No es requisito que ya esté recibiendo asistencia pública
No es requisito que tenga facturas de calefacción sin pagar
Puede alquilar o ser dueño de su vivienda

¿Cómo funciona el programa LIHEAP?

LIHEAP ofrece tanto subsidios en efectivo como subsidios por situaciones de crisis. Las familias pueden solicitar:

Subsidios en efectivo

Los subsidios en efectivo ayudan a las familias a pagar sus facturas de calefacción. El pago único se envía directamente a su proveedor de servicios públicos o proveedor de combustible y se acredita a

su factura. (En algunos casos, el cheque se le enviará a usted directamente.) Los subsidios en efectivo van de $300-$1000 y se basan en el número de miembros del hogar, los ingresos y el tipo de combustible.

Subsidios de crisis

Los subsidios de crisis pueden estar disponibles para usted, si tiene una situación de emergencia y está en

peligro de perder su servicio de calefacción. Usted puede recibir más de un subsidio de crisis, según sea necesario, durante la temporada, hasta que se alcance el límite de sus beneficios de $1000.

Entre las situaciones de emergencia se incluyen:

Equipo de calefacción roto o tuberías con pérdidas o fugas que deban repararse o reemplazarse
Falta de combustible
Corte de los servicios públicos
Riesgo de quedarse sin combustibles (suministros para menos de 15 días) o de que se corten los servicios públicos (haber recibido una notificación de que el servicio se cortará dentro de los próximos 60 días)

Si tiene una emergencia de calefacción, llame a la oficina de asistencia del condado que le corresponde

¿Cómo lo solicito?

Solicite el beneficio en línea en: www.compass.state.pa.us
Pida una solicitud al llamar a la línea telefónica de LIHEAP en todo el estado al 866-857-7095, o llame a PA Relay al 711 en caso de tener problemas auditivos.
También puede obtener una solicitud en la oficina de asistencia del condado local

Para solicitar el subsidio, necesitará

Los nombres de las personas de su grupo familiar
Las fechas de nacimiento de todos los miembros de su grupo familiar
Los números de Seguro Social de todos los miembros del grupo familiar
Comprobante de los ingresos de todos los miembros de su grupo familiar
Una factura de calefacción reciente

¿Quién lo puede obtener?

Si cumple con los siguientes límites de ingresos,es posible que cumpla los requisitos para recibir un subsidio del programa LIHEAP:

Legal Aid of Southeastern PA (LASP)

Si recibe una denegación de LIHEAP, comuníquese con Asistencia Legal del Sureste de Pensilvania (LASP). LASP brinda asistencia jurídica civil gratuita en los condados de Bucks, Chester, Delaware y Montgomery. 877-429-5994, de Lunes a Viernes, de 9 a.m. a 1 p.m. o lasp.org/apply.

LIHEAP en español