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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Ken Smith |
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Smith announces heating assistance enrollment will open Nov. 2
HARRISBURG, Oct. 14 – State Rep. Ken Smith, D-Lackawanna, 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 heating emergencies. For the upcoming heating season, the crisis portion of the program will open on Jan. 4.
"Many families in my district are struggling financially, and LIHEAP will help make sure qualifying residents can keep their homes warm," Smith said.
Smith said a family of four with an annual income of up to $33,075 can qualify for assistance. Cash grants, which are available to help with regular monthly heating bills, are based on income, family size, type of heating fuel and region.
Crisis grants are provided to address 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.
Smith said during the 2008-09 LIHEAP season, approximately 547,000 families received cash grants and more than 202,000 families received crisis assistance.
Residents can download the LIHEAP application at the state Department of Public Welfare's Web site at www.dpw.state.pa.us. Type "LIHEAP" in the keyword search box.
Smith said residents with questions or feedback may contact him on his Web site or by calling his office at 570-342-2710.