This week the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee held a hearing on legislation sponsored by Sen. Robbins (R-Mercer)-- Senate Bill 1270, the Home Energy Assistance in Time Of Need -- or HEAT ON – Act.

The bill would maximize the use of federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) dollars and ensure that heating aid reaches as many Pennsylvania families as possible. Furthermore, the bill puts in place several accountability provisions to ensure that funding goes to those most in need. LIHEAP grants, which do not need to be repaid, are available to low-income households.

Sen. Robbins stated, “This legislation builds off of the General Assembly’s historic efforts last year to allocate state dollars to supplement Pennsylvania’s federal LIHEAP appropriation. It’s important that we look for ways to maximize LIHEAP so that we can provide as much home heating assistance as possible to those that need it most, particularly with winter right around the corner.”

The hearing featured testimony by a panel of energy providers, including Mike Love, the President of the Energy Association of Pennsylvania, who advocated for legislative oversight over the Department of Public Welfare’s administration of the LIHEAP Program. The Association believes that the oversight in Senate Bill 1270 will lead to a more efficient distribution of LIHEAP funding with some consistency and predictability for consumer and providers.

A panel of community providers, including Ron Errett, the Chief Executive Officer of the Community Action Partnership of Mercer County, advocated for more program certainty, so that consumers and community providers alike know what the guidelines will be from year to year. Mr. Errett also promoted weatherization, a key component of the LIHEAP program.

John Kulik, Executive Vice Presidents of the Pennsylvania Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association, explained how the heating oil market is competitive where companies can choose to participate in LIHEAP. Requiring budget programs and setting other criteria on oil dealers would discourage participation by companies.

Sen. Robbins stated, “I am looking forward to working with the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee to review the comments and suggestions made at today’s hearing in order to strengthen this legislation.”

Rendell Announces Changes to LIHEAP Program

Gov. Rendell this week announced an expansion in eligibility for Pennsylvania’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which opens on November 6.

At the Governor’s direction, income eligibility for the 2006-07 LIHEAP season was expanded from 135 percent to 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines.

This year, a family of four with an annual income of up to $30,000 can qualify for LIHEAP. The more generous income limits mean than an additional 67,000 Pennsylvania families will be eligible than at the 135 percent level.

The federally-funded LIHEAP helps low-income households pay for a variety of home heating fuel sources and furnace repairs in the winter and is administered by the Department of Public Welfare.

Last year, more than 385,000 families were helped through cash grants and nearly 154,000 families received crisis assistance.

Applications for LIHEAP will be available at County Assistance Offices, local utility companies and community service agencies, such as Area Agencies on Aging or Community Action Agencies. Families can also apply for LIHEAP cash grants online at www.compass.state.pa.us .

The cash grant program is designed to help families pay their home heating bills. Cash grants are based on income, family size, type of heating fuel and heating region. In addition to proof of income and household size, applicants will need to provide a recent bill or a statement from their fuel dealer verifying their customer status and the type of fuel that they use.

Crisis grants up to $300 are approved for families with heating emergencies, such as mechanical breakdowns or unexpected fuel shortages.

For more information, people should call DPW’s toll-free LIHEAP Hotline at 1-866-857-7095, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

9/22/2006