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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Joseph Brennan |
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Brennan urges low-income families to apply now for home heating assistance
HARRISBURG, Nov. 16 – State Rep. Joseph Brennan, D-Lehigh/Northampton counties, announced that Pennsylvania has begun accepting applications for the federally funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
LIHEAP is a state-administered program that helps low-income people and families pay for their home-heating bills. 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. Brennan also stressed that no lien is placed on the home of people who receive LIHEAP benefits.
Eligibility for LIHEAP is based on household income and family size -- a family of four can qualify for LIHEAP if their household income is $30,975 or less.
“We have to reach out to families and encourage them to apply before they get left out in the cold,” Brennan said. “Home heating costs are expected to increase across the board this year and that means more families will need this service.”
LIHEAP offers two types of grants. Cash grants of up to $300 are available to help families pay regular monthly heating bills. The amount of the grant depends on income, household size, type of heating fuel and region of the state. Crisis grants of up to $300 are also available to pay for heating emergencies such as a broken furnace or a fuel shortage.
Additional information pertaining to income eligibility guidelines, as well as LIHEAP applications, are available in Brennan’s offices located at 7 W. Fourth St. in Bethlehem, 610-882-1510, and 1601 E. Union Blvd. in Allentown, 610-821-6813.
Residents can also access information about LIHEAP, other energy assistance programs and energy-saving tips online at www.staywarmpa.com. Online applications for LIHEAP are available at this Web site: www.dpw.state.pa.us/ServicesPrograms/LIHEAP.
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CONTACT: Gabrielle A. Prutisto Fax:
717-783-6839
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