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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State Rep.
Nick Kotik |
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January 2008
LEGISLATIVE ROUNDUP
First and foremost, I would like to wish all a happy and healthy 2008. Another holiday season has quickly passed and winter is upon us. The beginning of the new year has brought some of the coldest temperatures yet this winter, and we all know when temperatures fall, heating bills rise. It is hard to keep up with rising heating costs. Winterizing our homes helps, but sometimes it is still a struggle to pay heating bills. What do you do? That’s where LIHEAP comes in – the Pennsylvania Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of families across the state, including many here in Allegheny County and the 45th Legislative District, receive help to heat their homes through this program. LIHEAP is a critical tool for families and individuals who struggle with their home-heating costs. Families do not have to be on cash assistance to qualify for LIHEAP and can receive assistance even if they have not missed a payment on a heating bill.
LIHEAP is a federally funded program that offers two types of heating assistance grants to low-income residents. Cash grants of up to $300 are available to help pay monthly heating bills, while crisis grants are available to help with the cost of heating emergencies such as broken heating equipment or leaking lines, a lack of fuel, or termination of utility service.
The program is administered by the state Department of Public Welfare. It is important to remember that LIHEAP is a grant program – the funding does not need to be repaid and no lien is placed on your home.
To receive help, applicants don’t have to be on public assistance or have an unpaid heating bill, and can either rent or own their home or apartment. Eligibility is determined by the number of people in the household along with household income before taxes. The amount of assistance received is based on the type of fuel used to heat the residence and where the applicant lives. A family of four can qualify for LIHEAP if their household income is $30,975 or less.
Online applications for LIHEAP are available at www.compass.state.pa.us. You can also get more information by calling the LIHEAP hotline at 1-866-857-7095, Monday through Friday (individuals with hearing impairments may call the TDD number at 1-800-451-5886). My staff can also help you determine if you’re eligible and help you with the application.
Applicants must provide the following information:
- Names of people in the household.
· Dates of birth for people in the household.
· Social Security numbers for all household members.
· Proof of income for members of the household.
· Copy of a recent heating bill.
Many utility companies also have assistance programs to help customers stay warm and pay their bills. Don’t hesitate to reach out to them if you’re having difficulty paying for service this winter.
The deadline to apply for LIHEAP this year is March 21, or when funds have been depleted, whichever occurs first.
If you would like more information about applying for this program, please contact me by calling my Coraopolis office at 412-264-4260 or by sending me an e-mail through my Web site: www.pahouse.com/kotik.
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CONTACT:
Stephany Dugan |