The Department of Human Services Thursday announced extra financial help will be provided to vulnerable Pennsylvanians who received assistance from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, during the 2015-2016 heating season.

“These supplemental funds will help older Pennsylvanians, individuals with a disability, families with children, and crisis grant recipients to pay their remaining heating bills and even help with their heat during the next winter months,” said Secretary Ted Dallas. “DHS would like to thank the utility companies, LIHEAP Advisory Council, and our dedicated LIHEAP staff for another successful season.”

LIHEAP assists eligible low-income households with their heating and cooling energy costs, bill payment assistance, energy crisis assistance, weatherization, and energy-related home repairs.

In the 2015-16 heating seasons, crisis grants were approved for more than 114,000 households with an average crisis benefit of $322. 

LIHEAP was also approved to more than 240,000 older Pennsylvanians, individuals with a disability, and families with children. These households will now also receive the $65 supplemental cash grant paid directly to their utility or deliverable fuel company to credit their accounts.

DHS is sending letters to the consumers that are eligible for the $65 supplemental grant payment. The payment will be issued in early July.

The 2016-17 LIHEAP season is scheduled to begin November 1, 2016.

For more information, visit the DHS LIHEAP Program webpage.

7/4/2016