Senator McIlhinney: More Pennsylvania Families Eligible for Heating Assistance

HARRISBURG – An additional $280 million will be available this winter to families that are facing a heating crisis or struggling to meet rising fuel costs, according to Sen. Chuck McIlhinney (R-Bucks and Montgomery).

"The added funding will ensure that families will not be left out in the cold this winter," McIlhinney said. "Many more families will now be eligible for LIHEAP, so I would urge district residents to look into the valuable assistance offered through this program."

LIHEAP provides crisis grants for families that experience heating emergencies, such as a broken furnace, fuel shortage or utility termination. The program also provides grants to help low-income families pay heating bills. The additional funding will extend eligibility to families making up to 210 percent of federal poverty level, or about $44,443 for a family of four.

The changes will make an additional 80,000 Pennsylvanians eligible for cash grants and 30,000 eligible for crisis grants, McIlhinney said.

The minimum cash grant will increase from $100 to $300 and the maximum crisis grant will increase from $300 to $800. The amount of each grant depends on income, household size, type of heating fuel and region of the state, McIlhinney said.

To apply for LIHEAP, individuals should call one of the following county assistance offices: the Bucks County Assistance Office at (215)781-3393, or the Montgomery County Assistance Office at (610)272-1752.

Individuals with Internet access may also apply electronically via the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Access to Social Services (COMPASS) Web site at www.compass.state.pa.us.

LIHEP applicants will be required to submit the following information:

Names of people in household.
Social Security numbers for all household members.
Proof of income for all household members.
Recent heating bill.

McIlhinney said that many utilities offer assistance plans in addition to LIHEAP, and that consumers should check with their heating fuel and electricity supplier for details.

Contact:

Heather Cevasco
(215)489-5000