Need assistance with heating bills?

The 2023-2024 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program is now open!

LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) helps families and individuals pay their heating bills during the cold months with cash grants.

Learn more below or call our office at 412-364-0469 for more information.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

About the Program

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps families living on low incomes pay their heating bills in the form of a cash grant. Households in immediate danger of being without heat can also qualify for crisis grants.  The cash grant is a one-time payment sent directly to the utility company/fuel provider to be credited on your bill. These grants range from $300 to $1,000 based on household size, income, and fuel type. Remember: This is a grant and does not have to be repaid.

How does LIHEAP work?

LIHEAP offers both cash and crisis grants. Families may apply for:

Cash Grants

The cash grant is a one-time payment sent directly to the utility company/fuel provider to be credited on your bill. These grants range from $500 to $1,500 based on household size, income, and fuel type. Remember: This is a grant and does not have to be repaid. 

Crisis Grants

Households experiencing a heating crisis may be eligible for additional benefits through the LIHEAP crisis program. Emergency situations include:

  • Broken heating equipment or leaking lines that must be fixed or replaced
  • Lack of fuel
  • The main heating source or second heating source (a source that is used to operate the main heating source or used if the main heating source is not working) has been completely shut-off
  • The danger of being without fuel (less than a 15 day supply)
  • The danger of having utility service terminated (you’ve received a notice that service will be shut off within the next 60 days)

How do I apply?

There are two ways to apply for LIHEAP:

 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.

Who is eligible?

  • You must meet income guidelines
  • You don’t have to be on public assistance
  • You don’t need to have an unpaid heating bills
  • You can rent or own your home   

Income Requirements

Here are the LIHEAP income requirements for 2023-2024

​Household Size ​Income Limit
​1 ​$21,870
​2 $29,580
​3 ​$37,290
​4 ​$45,000
​5 ​$52,710
​6 $60,420
​7 ​$68,130
​8 $75,840
​9 ​$83,550
​10 ​$91,260
​For every additional person, add $7,7,10

Other Programs that Can Help

In addition to Customer Assistance Programs (CAP) like LIHEAP, public utilities across Pennsylvania have a variety of ways to help consumers, including:

  • Budget Billing: A customer’s annual utility costs are averaged over 12 months so bills don’t jump up or down from month to month;
  • Payment Plans: These plans help address past-due bills or delinquent balances by paying down those balances over an extended period of time;
  • Hardship Funds: The assistance funds are supported by utilities and donations from utility customers along with non-profit and charitable organizations; and
  • Lifeline Service: A federal financial support program that helps eligible low-income consumers and households to keep their telephone and internet access. More information on Lifeline is available at www.lifelinesupport.org. You can also call Lifeline at 1-800-234-9473 between 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week.

For more information on the program and qualifications, visit https://www.dhs.pa.gov/LIHEAP.