Pennsylvania’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, commonly called LIHEAP, helps eligible households pay heating bills and respond to heating emergencies. Support may be available whether a household heats with natural gas, electricity, oil, propane, coal, wood, or another approved fuel.
The program is administered through the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. Assistance is generally offered during the heating season, subject to available funding, and applications may be submitted online, by mail, or through a local county assistance office.
Residents of the 187th Legislative District can also find public-service information and state program resources through Gary Day’s office. Reviewing official information before applying can help households prepare the right documents and avoid delays.
LIHEAP provides grants that are usually sent directly to a utility company, fuel supplier, or heating vendor. An approved household does not generally have to repay the grant. The amount depends on household income, size, heating costs, and other program factors.
A separate crisis component may help when a household has a shutoff notice, no heat, an empty fuel tank, broken heating equipment, or another urgent heating problem. Crisis benefits can have additional requirements, so applicants should report the emergency clearly when applying.
Eligibility is based primarily on household income and the number of people living in the home. Pennsylvania updates income guidelines and program details, so applicants should rely on the current information from the Department of Human Services rather than an old income chart.
You may qualify even if your heating bill is included in rent or if your household does not have an overdue balance. The application will ask who is responsible for heating costs and what type of fuel is used. Renters, homeowners, and people who receive subsidized housing should provide accurate housing and utility information.
Gathering documents before starting the application can make the process easier. Applicants may need proof of income for household members, recent utility or fuel bills, identification, Social Security numbers, and information about everyone living in the residence.
If you are applying for crisis assistance, keep shutoff notices, restoration requirements, delivery records, or other emergency notices nearby. A local county assistance office may request additional documentation, particularly when income or heating responsibility is difficult to verify.
Applications can be submitted through Pennsylvania’s COMPASS website, by mail, or with assistance from a county assistance office. Online filing is often convenient because applicants can provide information electronically and track communications through the state’s system.
Those who need help with technology, translation, disability access, or document gathering can contact their county office. The statewide LIHEAP information line, 1-866-857-7095, can provide guidance about applications and local assistance. Submit an application as soon as the program opens because funding and seasonal deadlines can affect availability.
| Application option | Best for | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| COMPASS online | Applicants comfortable using the internet | Complete the form electronically and respond to follow-up requests |
| Mail-in application | People who prefer paper forms | Allow time for delivery and keep a copy of the submitted paperwork |
| County assistance office | Applicants needing personal support | Staff can explain requirements and help identify next steps |
| Crisis assistance contact | Households facing loss of heat | Be prepared to provide emergency notices and heating details |
A household facing an immediate heating problem should identify the situation as a crisis rather than waiting for a regular grant decision. Examples may include utility termination, a broken furnace, unsafe heating equipment, or insufficient fuel for the home.
Call the county assistance office or the LIHEAP information line and follow the instructions provided. If there is no heat, use safe temporary measures and never use an oven, outdoor grill, or fuel-burning appliance indoors for warmth. In a life-threatening situation, contact emergency services.
Keep confirmation numbers, copies of forms, notices, and contact information for the utility or fuel supplier. If the agency asks for more information, respond by the stated deadline. Changes in address, household members, income, or heating responsibility should also be reported promptly.
State and district resources can help residents locate related support, including utility assistance, property tax and rent rebate information, and other government services. For updates about district activities and public resources, residents may also review the latest video from Representative Gary Day’s office.
LIHEAP can provide essential help with winter heating costs, but assistance is tied to program rules and available funding. Start through COMPASS or your county assistance office, keep your records together, and contact the statewide information line promptly if your household is at risk of losing heat.