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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
| State Rep. Thomas Caltagirone State Rep. Dante Santoni |
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LIHEAP opens Nov. 1; state mailing applications early
READING, Oct. 4 – State Reps. Tom Caltagirone and Dante Santoni said the state has begun mailing applications to residents who previously received home heating assistance through Pennsylvania’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
The Berks County legislators encouraged anyone who receives an application to apply now because of cuts to LIHEAP funding in this year's state budget. Only those receiving an application may apply early; however, everyone will be able to apply when LIHEAP officially opens Nov. 1.
"The cooler weather is quickly approaching, so if you anticipate you will need assistance to heat your home this winter, please make sure you complete your application as soon as you receive it," Caltagirone said. "We believe more people will need help than ever before and there will be less funding to go around, so please contact my office or Representative Santoni's office if you have questions."
Constituents who need assistance applying for LIHEAP may contact Caltagirone's office, located at 645 Penn St. in Reading, at 610-376-1529; or Santoni's office, located at 4933 Kutztown Road in Temple, at 610-921-8921.
"It is important that anyone eligible to participate in this program files the application," Santoni said. "It is difficult for some to make ends meet and this program is designed to help keep everyone warm this winter."
LIHEAP helps limited-income families pay their heating bills through home energy assistance grants and crisis grants. Cash grants are awarded based on household income, family size, type of heating fuel and region. A family of four with an annual income of up to $33,525 can qualify for assistance.
Crisis grants will be available Jan. 3, but the program will accept crisis applications early. Crisis grants are provided in the event of a heating emergency, including broken heating equipment or leaking lines that must be fixed or replaced, lack of fuel, termination of utility service or danger of being without fuel or of having utility service terminated. In most counties, assistance with home heating crisis situations is available 24 hours a day.
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