What to Know: Heat Assistance via LIHEAP
Applications for the 2022-23 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program open Nov. 1 and run through April 28, 2023.
For those who struggle to cover heating bills during colder months, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services offers financial assistance every year through a program called the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP.
Below is information on the program's specifics and how to apply.
From the PA Dept. of Human Services:
"The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps families living on low incomes pay their heating bills in the form of a cash grant. Households in immediate danger of being without heat can also qualify for crisis grants.
The cash grant is a one-time payment sent directly to the utility company/fuel provider to be credited on your bill. These grants range from $500 to $1,500 based on household size, income, and fuel type."
How to Qualify
Households meeting income eligibility requirements qualify for the program. Income requirements can change each year.
Household Size / Income Limit
1 / $20,385
2 / $27,465
3 / $34,545
4 / $41,625
5 / $48,705
6 / $55,785
7 / $62,865
8 / $69,945
9 / $77,025
10 / $84,105
For each additional person, add $7,080.
Crisis Grants
Crisis grants exist to help households in emergency heating situations. Immediate crisis situations include:
- broken heating equipment
- lack of fuel or danger of being without fuel in less than 15 days
- heating source(s) have been shut off
- notice of heating utility service to be shut off within 60 days
In the event of a heating crisis, contact the Adams County Assistance Office directly (information below).
How to Apply
Applications can be submitted one of two ways, online or in person.
Online applications can be filed at www.compass.state.pa.us. If you don't already have one, you will need to register for an account first.
Paper applications can be obtained, filled out and submitted at the Adams County Assistance Office, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Adams County Assistance Office
225 South Franklin St.
Gettysburg, PA 17325
717-334-6241
1-800-638-6816
Information You Will Need to Complete the Application
Be sure to have this information on hand before starting the application:
- demographic information about all people living in household
- documents to verify income (ex: paystub, benefits statement, etc.)
- heating source verification (ex: past bills, utility account info, etc.)
Note: You do not need to receive other forms of public assistance to qualify for LIHEAP.
For more information, visit the LIHEAP website. You can also call the LIHEAP hotline, Mon-Fri, at 1-866-857-7095.
