|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
|
State
Rep. Tim Mahoney |
|
Mahoney announces heating assistance enrollment will open in November
HARRISBURG, Oct. 14 – State Rep. Tim Mahoney, D-Fayette, has announced that Pennsylvania's Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, will open for the 2009-10 heating season on Nov. 2 because of a recent increase in federal funding.
LIHEAP provides grants to help low-income households pay for home heating fuel and help with heating emergencies. For the upcoming heating season, the crisis portion of the program will open on Jan 4.
"It's important that constituents in my district get the heating assistance they need this winter in these difficult economic times, so I urge families to check to see if they qualify for this program," Mahoney said.
Mahoney said a family of four with an annual income of up to $33,075 can qualify for assistance. Cash grants are based on income, family size, type of heating fuel and region.
Crisis grants are provided to resolve heating emergencies, such as furnace failures or unexpected fuel shortages. In addition to proof of income and household size, applicants must provide a recent bill or a statement from their fuel dealer verifying the customer status and the type of fuel that they use.
Mahoney said during the 2008-09 LIHEAP season, approximately 547,000 families were helped through cash grants and more than 202,000 families received crisis assistance.
To download the LIHEAP application, visit the state Department of Public Welfare's Web site at www.dpw.state.pa.us and type "LIHEAP" in the Keyword search box.
Mahoney said residents with questions or feedback should contact him on his Web site or by calling his office at 724-438-6100.