URGENT UPDATE: Due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, LIHEAP assistance for more than 360,000 households in Pennsylvania will be delayed until early December. This critical program, which helps families struggling to pay utility bills, cannot begin until the state receives its annual federal funding of over $200 million.
Officials from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services confirmed that the start date for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has been pushed back from early November to December 3, pending federal allocation. Families earning less than 150% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines—approximately $23,475 for individuals and $48,225 for a family of four—are eligible for this essential support.
Families who rely on LIHEAP are facing an uncertain winter as the program has been put on hold. The delay means many households will struggle to heat their homes during the coldest months, putting vulnerable families at risk.
LIHEAP provides crucial assistance in the form of cash and crisis grants. Cash grants, ranging from $200 to $1,000, are applied directly to utility bills. Crisis grants, which can also reach up to $1,000, are available for families at immediate risk of losing heat.
The state has already received pre-season applications, but payments will not be processed until federal funding is confirmed. The disruption comes after previous years of overwhelming demand for LIHEAP, which also provided free air conditioning units and fans during the summer months, although this assistance will not be available this year.
As the state waits for the federal shutdown to end, officials emphasize the importance of community resources. Families can still access other utility assistance programs offered by local utilities. In the Philadelphia area, both Philadelphia Gas Works and PECO have separate assistance initiatives that can help alleviate some of the burden.
Residents are encouraged to apply for LIHEAP through the state’s COMPASS benefits portal or through county assistance offices once the program reopens. For immediate assistance, a hotline is available at 1-866-857-7095.
This situation remains fluid, and the urgency for families in need cannot be overstated. As the holidays approach, the delay in LIHEAP funding could have significant implications for Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable citizens. Stay tuned for further developments as the federal government shutdown continues to impact essential services.
