Pa. home energy assistance program begins for 2021-22 winter season

By: Cassie Miller - October 18, 2021 3:38 pm

Public Utility Commission (PUC) Chair Gladys Brown Dutrieuille speaking to the press. On Monday, Department of Human Services (DHS) Acting Secretary Meg Snead joined Public Utility Commission (PUC) Chair Gladys Brown Dutrieuille to announce the start of the annual Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) application process for the 2021-22 season. Harrisburg, PA – October 15, 2021

On a blustery October Monday, state officials announced the beginning of the home energy assistance program for the 2021-22 winter season.

Public Utility Commission Chairperson Gladys Brown Dutrieuille joined Department of Human Services Secretary Meg Snead at the Capitol to announce the opening of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program or LIHEAP Season.

LIHEAP, a federally funded program administered by the state Department of Human Services, received a funding boost from the American Rescue Plan Act, increasing LIHEAP’s minimum grant of $200 to $500 and the maximum from $1,000 to $1,500 for the 2021-22 season.

Last season, more than 300,000 households across Pennsylvania received LIHEAP assistance totaling more than $84.9 million, according to the Department of Human Services.

The average grant amounted to $280 last season.

“Working together, LIHEAP and various PUC-required utility assistance programs help hundreds of thousands Pennsylvania households stay connected, safe and warm,” PUC Chair Gladys Brown Dutrieuille said in a statement.

In addition to utilizing the state LIHEAP program, Dutrieuille called on Pennsylvanians to reach out to their utility providers to learn more about assistance programs they might offer in addition to LIHEAP assistance.

“We strongly encourage families to apply for LIHEAP and #CallUtilitiesNow to explore all the available options,” Dutrieuille said.

For the 2021-22 season, LIHEAP assistance is available from Oct. 18, 2021 through May 6, 2022.

Pennsylvanians can apply for LIHEAP and other assistance programs by visiting www.compass.state.pa.us, by phone at 1-866-550-4355, or in-person at County Assistance Offices.

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