The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in Pennsylvania assists eligible low-income households in meeting their energy needs. Sometimes, the utility bills could skyrocket, specially during the extreme weather, like the heatwaves happening right now.
LIHEAP provides financial assistance to help qualifying individuals and families pay their energy bills, maintain their cooling (or heating) systems, and potentially even cope with energy-related emergencies. Many vulnerable Pennsylvanians could be impacted during those months when the temperatures are out of normal, ensuring they can stay cool and safe in their homes.
What is the WAP program: Improving the impact of the LIHEAP funds in the Keystone State
On the other hand, the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is another valuable program available in Pennsylvania. WAP focuses on improving the energy efficiency of homes belonging to low-income households. By implementing various measures such as insulation, weatherstripping, and upgrading heating systems, WAP helps reduce energy consumption and consequently lowers utility bills for participants. Additionally, by making homes more energy-efficient, the program contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impact.
To apply for the LIHEAP benefits in Pennsylvania, firstly, you can visit the COMPASS site, which offers all the information platform, applications and so on. If you need person-to-person attention, then it is advisable for you to locate your county assistance office here, where the officials will be willing to guide you through the entire process in a friendly and helpful way.
Income requirements for the LIHEAP program in Pennsylvania
In order to be eligible for LIHEAP benefits in Pennsylvania, known as the State of Independence, you must meet a number of minimum requirements. First, you must not be being targeted by any public assistance at the time of applying, and you must be able to rent your own house at present.
Then, you must meet the income guidelines, as follows in the next chart, depending on your household’s size:
- 1 person: $20,385
- 2 people: $27,465
- 3 people: $34,545
- 4 people: $41,625
- 5 people: $48,705
- 6 people: $55,785
- 7 people: $69,945
8 people: $69,945 - 9 people: $77,025
- 10 people: $84,105
- For every additional member: +7,080
In case of crisis, for example, when you have a utility service termination notice, there are some different terms that could apply. These are the requirements for you, if your household is in this situation:
- Broken heating equipment or leaking lines that must be urgently repaired or replaced.
- You’re running out of fuel.
- The main temperature conditioning source (cooling or heating) or second source has been completely shut-off, due to extreme circumstances.
- The danger of being without fuel (less than a 15-day supply)
- The danger of having utility service terminated (you’ve received a notice that service will be shut off within the next 60 days)