The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program -- also known as LIHEAP -- opened this week to help Pennsylvania families and individuals who need assistance paying winter heating bills, the Department of Public Welfare announced.

"As home heating costs continue to rise, many families may struggle to make ends meet this winter," said Public Welfare Secretary Estelle Richman. "Through the LIHEAP program, eligible families and individuals receive needed help, reducing the risk that they will be forced to choose between heating their home and paying for necessities like food or shelter."

LIHEAP is a federally funded program administered by the Department of Public Welfare that helps low-income households pay for home heating fuel through cash grants and emergency furnace repairs through crisis grants.

During the 2006-07 LIHEAP season, nearly 370,000 families were helped through cash grants and more than 133,000 families received crisis assistance.

For the 2007-08 season, a family of four with an annual income of up to $30,975 can qualify for LIHEAP.

Cash grants are based on income, family size, type of heating fuel and region. In addition to proof of income and household size, applicants must 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 experiencing heating emergencies, such as mechanical breakdowns or unexpected fuel shortages.

Applications for LIHEAP are 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 through the Public Welfare Compass website.

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

11/9/2007