Heating Assistance Cash Grant Program Opened November 2

LIHEAP crisis grant applications will be taken beginning January 4

Pennsylvania's Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) cash grant program opened for the 2009-10 heating season on Nov. 2, according to Senator Pat Browne (R-16). Cash grants are based on income, family size, type of heating fuel and region.

Household sizes and income limits for LIHEAP's 2009-10 season are listed below.

Family of 1 with an income of $16,245 or less
Family of 2 with an income of $21,855 or less
Family of 3 with an income of $27,465 or less
Family of 4 with an income of $33,075 or less
Family of 5 with an income of $38,685 or less
Family of 6 with an income of $44,295 or less
Family of 7 with an income of $49,905 or less
Family of 8 with an income of $55,515 or less

(For each additional person add $5,610)

"Rising fuel costs have taken a toll on all of us, especially those who rely on oil to heat their homes," Senator Browne said. "This burden has been especially heavy on low-income families and those people on fixed incomes. I urge everyone who may be eligible for LIHEAP to apply."

Applications for LIHEAP's crisis grant program, which assists families experiencing heating emergencies – such as a broken furnace, fuel shortage or utility termination – will be accepted beginning Jan. 4, 2010.

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

To apply for LIHEAP, individuals can call their local County Assistance Office:

Lehigh County Assistance Office, (610) 821-6509
Monroe County Assistance Office, (570) 424-3517
Northampton County Assistance Office, (610) 250-1785

Individuals with Internet access may also apply electronically via the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Access to Social Services (COMPASS) Web site at www.compass.state.pa.us.

LIHEAP applicants will be required to submit the following information:

Names of people in household.
Social Security numbers for all household members.
Proof of income for all household members.
Recent heating bills.

Applications are also available at any of Senator Browne's district offices: Allentown Office (610-821-8468) located at 801 Hamilton Street in Allentown; Western Lehigh County Office (610-366-2327) located in the Upper Macungie Township Building at 8330 Schantz Road in Breinigsville; East Allentown Office (610-821-6813) located at 1601 Union Boulevard in Allentown; Northampton County Office (610-502-1567) located in the East Allen Township Building at 5330 Nor-Bath Boulevard in Northampton; or Monroe County Office (570-402-1499) located at Routes 115 and 209 in Saylorsburg.

Senator Browne added that many utilities offer assistance plans in addition to LIHEAP, and that consumers should check with their heating fuel and electricity supplier for details.

Contact:

Matt Moyer
(610) 366-2327