Extension date: April 2nd deadline

LIHEAP 2009 / 2010 INCOME GUIDELINES

Amount in HOUSEHOLD

  YEARLY GROSS—MONTHLY GROSS

  1    $16,245             $1,353.75 

2     $21,855            $1,821.25  

3     $27,465             $2,288.75 

4     $33,074             $2,756.25 

5    $38,688              $3,223.75

6    $44,295             $3,691.25

7    $49,905            $4,158.75

 8     $55,515            $4,626.25

9     $61,125            $5,093.75

10     $66,735           $5,561.25

     Each Add’l $5,610 yearly

Each Add’l $467.50 monthly

Crisis—Maximum amount is $300

CASH PROGRAM—Starts 12/01/09—ends 01/03/10    

CRISIS PROGRAM—Starts 01/04/10—ends 03/15/10                            

Cash Program is regular LIHEAP and the Crisis Program is when you receive a termination notice from the electric company or  you have less than 15 days worth of fuel.  (Automatic delivery customers are not eligible for crisis)  You will need to submit both: Proof of income for the past 90 days and your heating bill.  The Assistance office will begin mailing applications at the end of October.

Due to the shortened window of acceptance of applications, we           suggest that you gather your information needed for submission now, so that you can submit your applications quickly. 

NEWS RELEASE OCTOBER 27, 2009

Pennsylvania's Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program to Open on Nov. 2
Crisis program will open Jan. 4, 2010

Harrisburg The federally-funded Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, also known as LIHEAP, will accept applications for cash grants starting Nov. 2, Secretary of Public Welfare Estelle B. Richman today reminded Pennsylvanians.
 
LIHEAP provides cash grants to help low-income households pay for home heating fuel. A crisis grant component to address heating emergencies will open Jan. 4, 2010.

As many Pennsylvanians continue to struggle as a result of the economic downturn, the opening of the LIHEAP program will bring relief when families need it the most, said Secretary Richman. We encourage families to learn about the program so they can stay warm and safe throughout the coldest months of the year.

During the 2008-09 LIHEAP season, approximately 547,000 families were helped through cash grants and more than 202,000 families received crisis assistance.

Cash grants are based on income, family size, type of heating fuel and region. Crisis grants are provided to resolve heating emergencies or unexpected fuel shortages. In addition to proof of income, residency, citizenship, birth dates and Social Security Numbers for all household members, applicants must provide a recent bill or a statement from their fuel dealer verifying their customer status and the type of fuel that they use. 

When the program opens, applications will be available at county assistance offices, local utility companies and community service agencies, such as Area Agencies on Aging or community action agencies. Applications for LIHEAP cash grants will also be available online at www.compass.state.pa.us. Applicants may also call 1-866-857-7095.

To ensure they have the resources to heat their homes the entire winter, LIHEAP consumers are urged to keep their thermostats at 65 degrees unless they have young children or older adults living in the home. Visit www.turnsealsave.org to learn about available assistance programs, energy conservation and home weatherization tips.