Apply for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance program (LIHEAP) provides cash grants to help Pennsylvania families pay their heating bills. 

 

The 2024-2025 LIHEAP season is open November 4, 2024, to April 4, 2025.

About LIHEAP

LIHEAP can help you keep your home warm and safe during the coldest seasons. From November 4, 2024, to April 4, 2025, you can apply for a cash grant to help pay your heating bill. You can receive from $200 to $1,000 based on your household size, income, and fuel type. 

The cash grant is a one-time payment. The grant will be sent directly to your utility provider or fuel company to be credited on your bill. 

Are you experiencing an emergency related to your household’s heat? You may be eligible to receive additional funds through a crisis grant.   

COMPASS

Apply for Home Heating and Energy Assistance

We all face hard times, and we all deserve the basic dignity of a warm and safe home. DHS has programs like LIHEAP that are designed to help. 

Eligibility

To qualify for LIHEAP in Pennsylvania, you must meet income requirements, which are set based on your household size. Renters and homeowners are both eligible for benefits.  

You do not need to be on another public assistance program or have unpaid heating bills to qualify.

Household Size

A household includes the person or group of people who live together. When determining your household size, you must list those who live at the residence, including: 

  • All children and adults 
  • All relatives who are rooming at the residence
  • All unrelated people who are rooming at the residence and share household expenses

Income Requirements for 2024-2025

Your eligibility for LIHEAP is determined by the total annual income and size of your household. The income limit includes cumulative yearly earnings of all members of your household. To determine your household income, you should include the income of: 

  • All related or unrelated household members
  • Renters who are related to you by blood, marriage, or adoption to a household member
Household Size Income Limit

1

$22,590

2

$30,660

3

$38,730

4

$46,800

5

$54,870

6

$62,940

7

$71,010

8

$79,080

9

$87,150

10

$95,220

For every additional person, add $8,070.

If Your Household is Experiencing a Heating Crisis  

In addition to LIHEAP cash grants, crisis benefits are available to those who are experiencing a heating emergency. LIHEAP crisis benefits provide assistance for those experiencing:

  • Broken heating equipment or leaking lines that must be fixed or replaced  
  • Lack of fuel
  • The shut off of the   main heating source or secondary heating source (a source that is used to operate the main heating source or used if the main heating source is not working)
  • The danger of being without fuel (less than a 15-day supply) 
  • The danger of having utility service terminated

Eligible applicants will receive benefits within 10 business days of applying, or sooner for those who are experiencing a time-sensitive, life-threatening crisis. 

Apply for a Crisis Grant  

If you have not received standard LIHEAP benefits this year, you must apply for the program to be considered for a crisis grant. If you have already received a LIHEAP benefit this season, contact your local County Assistance Office to report your heating emergency.

Benefits Table

How Much Do You Qualify for?

You qualify for LIHEAP benefits, now find out how much you will receive in benefit payments.

How to apply

You can apply for LIHEAP online, by mail, or in-person at your local county assistance office. 

Apply for LIHEAP Online

To complete an application in person at a county assistance office, download a LIHEAP application in:

Required Documents

When applying for LIHEAP, you must include: 

  • A recent bill from your main heating source
  • Proof of household income for each household member. Documents can include pay stubs, award letters, employer statements, and other forms of verification 

Additional documents may be required if you are not a U.S. citizen, if your heating bill is included in your rent, or if your income is less than the cost of your monthly basic living needs. 

After You Apply

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, unless you are applying for a crisis grant. 

Maintaining Eligibility 

You must reapply each year to receive a cash or crisis grant. If you received benefits in the previous year’s LIHEAP season, you will receive notice to apply early during LIHEAP pre-season. Standard applications open in November annually.      

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact LIHEAP

For Crisis Situations

Assistance with home heating crisis situations is available 24 hours a day. In most counties, you should contact your county assistance office.

LIHEAP Hotline

Call the hotline Monday through Friday at 1-866-857-7095. Individuals with hearing impairments can call 711.

Call the Hotline (opens in a new tab)

Contact Your County Assistance Office (CAO)

For questions or additional information contact your local County Assistance Office (CAO).

Find Your County Office