How is the government shutdown affecting Pennsylvania\u2019s LIHEAP program?<\/p>\n
Because of the federal government shutdown, Pennsylvania has not yet received its annual allocation of over $200 million in LIHEAP funding.\n<\/p>\n
The state is not able to \u201cbackfill\u201d these federal funds with state money, Pennsylvania\u2019s Department of Human Services said in a statement.\n<\/p>\n
This means that the program will remain on hold until the government shutdown ends and the state receives its federal allocation.\n<\/p>\n
This spring, the Trump Administration fired the staff that oversees LIHEAP and proposed eliminating the funding from the federal budget.\u00a0<\/a>\n <\/p>\n When will LIHEAP be available this year?<\/p>\n Pennsylvanians can start applying for LIHEAP Dec. 3, as long as the state receives its federal allocation by then, according to Pennsylvania\u2019s Department of Human Services.\n<\/p>\n How to apply for LIHEAP<\/p>\n To qualify for LIHEAP, a household\u2019s income cannot exceed 150% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines, which is $23,475 for an individual or $48,225 for a family of four.\n<\/p>\n Both renters and homeowners are eligible, and households can receive LIHEAP multiple years in a row.\n<\/p>\n Once the state opens its program, you can apply online through COMPASS<\/a>, the state\u2019s benefits portal, or in person through county assistance offices. <\/a>In Philadelphia, applicants can also get help through a network of neighborhood energy centers<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n The state will process the pre-season applications it has already received, but will not release payments until the federal funding comes through, officials said.\n<\/p>\n The state also runs a phone hotline at 1-866-857-7095.\n<\/p>\n What other utility assistance is available?<\/p>\n In the Philadelphia area, both Philadelphia Gas Works and PECO offer utility assistance programs that are separate from LIHEAP.\n<\/p>\n