Low Income Assistance Heats Up for Winter

But the state’s major assistance program has some different requirements this year – as well as limited cash on hand.

The clock is ticking for people who need heating assistance in Pennsylvania. But the state’s major assistance program has some different requirements this year – as well as limited cash on hand.

Listen:
[audio: 091207tmliheap.mp3]

The cash portion of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance program or LIHEAP is officially open. Cameron Kline is a Philadelphia Gas Works spokesman.  He says there is only $275 million dollars statewide for the program, and people who qualify for the assistance need to apply now before the money runs out.

Kline: For a household of four people they would qualify for LIHEAP if they made $33,000 dollars or less, but that’s the general rule of thumb, household size and household income.

Cash and Crisis grants for the program can go from $125 to $1400 dollars. The crisis grant program doesn’t begin until January 4th, and requires a separate application, which is a change from previous years. Kline says 150 thousand of their half million customers in Philadelphia alone qualify for grants.

More information:
For more information and for assistance in filling out the forms, you can call 215-684-6100.