Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Is extended until May 20 – Bradford Era

LIHEAP is an emergency and seasonal program designed to assist low-income families pay their heating bills in three different ways.

Types of LIHEAP grants include; Cash Grants to income eligible households who have home heating responsibility. Customers do not need to be facing termination for this grant. These grants range from $500-$1500; Crisis Grants to income eligible households whose heating service is turned off, about to be turned off or off due to lack of fuel. Customers must be considered in immediate need. Grants range from $25-$1200; Crisis Interface grants are available to repair or for the replacement of broken or inoperable heating system(s).

Some households may be eligible for all three types of LIHEAP assistance.

Universal Service Programs are available as well. Utility companies have programs that are designed to assist eligible customers with their bills each month. These include, Budget Billing, which divides total annual energy costs evenly over 12 months; Payment Agreements, agreement between the customer and the utility company to pay the outstanding bill after its due date but before the date of the next bill; Customer Assistance Program (CAP), payment assistance that provides a lower monthly bill and may forgive past due balances; and the Low Income Usage Reduction Program (LIURP) which helps reduce energy use and lower energy bills through free efficiency, conservation and weatherization after a home energy audit is complete.

Consumers may apply for LIHEAP by visiting Pennsylvania’s COMPASS website or filling out a paper application at their local county assistance office. For additional information on company specific programs, they can contact the appropriate utility directly.