PA Gov. Rendell Administration Extends Deadline For Home Energy Assistance Program
HARRISBURG, Pa., March 24 /PRNewswire/ — On behalf of PA Governor Edward G. Rendell, Public Welfare Secretary Estelle B. Richman today announced that Pennsylvania will extend the deadline to apply for the cash and crisis portions of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) until April 8, or until the money is depleted.
The application deadline had been March 24.
Administered by DPW, the federally funded LIHEAP helps low-income households pay for a variety of home heating-fuel sources and furnace repairs.
LIHEAP offers two grants – cash and crisis – to assist Pennsylvanians with their heating costs. Families need not be on public assistance or own their own homes to qualify.
The cash grant program is designed to help families pay their home heating bills. The grants are based on income, family size, type of heating fuel and heating regions. This year, a family of four with an income of up to $25,448 can qualify for the program.
Crisis grants of up to $300 are given to families with heating emergencies, such as mechanical breakdowns or unexpected fuel shortages. In most counties, individuals seeking crisis grants should contact their county assistance office. Individuals in the nine counties below are encouraged to contact the following agencies that operate the crisis component in their areas:
— Allegheny – Allegheny County Department of Human Services, (412) 350-
5869 or 1-800-851-3838.
— Carbon – Carbon County Action Committee, (610) 377-6400.
— Centre – Central Pa. Community Action Committee, (814) 765-1551;
Millheim Family Service Center (814) 349-5850; Bellefonte Family
Service Center (814) 355-7501; Phillipsburg Community Action Center
(814) 342-0404.
— Lackawanna – Scranton/Lackawanna Human Development Agency,
(570) 963-6836.
— Lancaster – Community Action Program, (717) 299-7301 or 1-800-732-
0018
— Luzerne – Commission on Economic Opportunity, (570) 826-0510
— Philadelphia – Department of Licenses and Inspections, (215) 686-2590
— Wyoming – Commission on Economic Opportunity, (570) 836-4090
— York – Community Progress Council, (717) 846-4600
For more information about LIHEAP, please call DPW’s free information line at 1-866-857-7095, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The attached chart provides household sizes and income limits.
LIHEAP INCOME LIMIT TABLE
Household Size Yearly Household Income
Before Taxes (135 percent of poverty)
1 $12,569
2 $16,862
3 $21,155
4 $25,448
5 $29,741
6 $34,034
7 $38,327
8 $42,620
Each Additional Person Add: $4,293
CONTACT: Stacey Ward
Kevin Cramsey
(717) 787-4592
CONTACT: Stacey Ward or Kevin Cramsey, both of Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, +1-717-787-4592
Web site: http://www.state.pa.us/
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