How can I get help with my utility bills or furnace repairs?
The Pennsylvania Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides energy assistance grants to income-eligible families and individuals.
You need not have an unpaid bill to receive energy assistance. You can receive this money without being on cash assistance. No lien is placed on your property if you receive this help.
LIHEAP Crisis Grants are available in an emergency situation, such as:
- Broken heating equipment or leaking lines that must be fixed or replaced
- Lack of fuel
- Termination of utility service
- Danger of being without fuel or of having utility service terminated
- Learn more...
Your local County Assistance Office can provide more information about LIHEAP and a wide range of other assistance that may be available to you. To find contact information for the County Assistance Office nearest you, scroll down to the list at the bottom of this page.
Obtain an online application for LIHEAP through Pennsylvania's COMPASS system.
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission's Web site offers a detailed listing of energy assistance programs, including those offered by utility companies.
In addition to the LIHEAP program, there are some additional sources for heating assistance.
How can I get help weatherizing my home?
The Pennsylvania Weatherization Assistance Program is administered through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. The program's goal is to increase the energy efficiency of dwellings occupied by low-income residents, helping to reduce their energy costs while safeguarding their health and safety. To apply you must contact your local weatherization assistance agency.
The program prioritizes low-income residents at higher risk including older adults, individuals with disabilities, and families with children.
Direct services are provided through a network of public and private not-for-profit agencies operating either single or multi-county areas serving all 67 counties within the commonwealth.
My utility service has been shut off - what do I do now?
If your utility service was disconnected because you did not pay your bill, you should:
- Contact the utility company immediately and make payment arrangements so that your service can be restored as quickly as possible.
- Ask to be placed on a "budget plan," which helps to balance your energy costs through the year. Each monthly bill will be the same amount.
- Ask if you qualify for help under assistance programs that may be offered, such as the $1 Energy Fund or other "hardship" funds
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission's Web site offers a detailed listing of energy assistance programs, including those offered by utility companies.
LIHEAP Crisis Grants are available in an emergency situation, such as:
- Broken heating equipment or leaking lines that must be fixed or replaced
- Lack of fuel
- Termination of utility service
- Danger of being without fuel or of having utility service terminated
- Learn more...
If you are an older adult who is without heat, contact your local Area Agency on Aging and ask if emergency shelter is available.
How can I conserve energy around my home?
By winterizing your home, your energy bills can be reduced from 10 to 50 percent.
Follow these tips to make your home more energy efficient:
- Prevent outside air from entering your home. Inspect your home and seal any cracks or openings around windows, doors, fireplaces, pipes, electrical outlets and bathroom, kitchen or clothes dryer vents. Weather stripping, caulk, or fiberglass insulation can be used for this purpose.
- If you own an older home, adding storm doors and windows can reduce heat loss by up to 50 percent.
- Purchase plastic window covering kits or interior storm window kits. Carefully follow instructions.
- Add insulation to your attic, as well as any walls and floors that are adjacent to an unheated space such as a garage.
- Have your furnace or heating unit serviced to ensure it is working safely and efficiently. Replace furnace filters regularly.
- Set your thermostat at 68° and dress warmly. Use more blankets at night.
- Close draperies at night and on cloudy days and open them on sunny days.
- Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. Fluorescent bulbs are more energy-efficient and last longer than traditional light bulbs.
- Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater to 115° F.
- Turn off electric appliances when not in use.
Most fire safety experts recommend against using supplemental heating sources, such as electric space heaters or kerosene heaters. Learn More...
What special help is available for older Pennsylvanians?
Older adults are served by the state's 52 Area Agencies on Aging, which are overseen by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging. Area Agency on Aging staff can help older adults complete and submit applications for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) program. They also assist older people with information and referral to the $1 Energy Fund and the many other utility-sponsored or private assistance programs that exist on a regional basis. The services offered by Area Agencies on Aging may vary from region to region. Many Area Agencies do offer some direct winter weather-related assistance, such as providing emergency shelter to older adults who are without heat.
How can I help others in my community cope with the energy crisis?
Pennsylvanians can always be counted on to assist one another during times of crisis.
Here are a few suggested ways in which you can help others in your community:
- "Adopt" an older neighbor or relative, checking on them regularly to make sure they have heat and are in good health.
- Donate to the $1 Energy Fund or other utility-sponsored hardship funds.
- Donate to church or community groups that assist at-risk and low-income families during times of financial crisis.
- Support or organize local blanket and coat drives.
How can I obtain brochures with more information?
For more information about the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, and other programs available visit the additional resources section.
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Edward G. Rendell, Governor
