Press Release

PUC Joins PA Department of Human Services to Kick Off Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Season

Published on 11/1/2016

Filed under: Electric Gas

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today joined Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Ted Dallas to mark the start of the application process for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), for the 2016-17 winter heating season. Representatives from utilities and human service organizations also participated in the event, which was held at Wilkes-Barre YMCA.

 LIHEAP provides assistance for home heating bills to keep low-income Pennsylvanians warm and safe during the winter months. It’s available to renters and homeowners. Crisis and regular LIHEAP grants begin Nov. 1, 2016 and continue through April 1, 2017.

 “Winter is coming, and that marks a peak time for energy usage and demand for assistance services,” said PUC Chairman Gladys M. Brown. “Now is the time for consumers to enroll in LIHEAP, as well as to also explore the programs that are available from their utilities or from various non-profit groups.”

 Detailed information about the LIHEAP program, along with links to online and printable application forms, are available by visiting the LIHEAP section of the DHS website or by calling the DHS LIHEAP hotline, at 1-866-857-7095. Paper applications are also available through local county assistance offices.

 “This federally funded program provided hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians a warm place to live during last winter,” said DHS Secretary Dallas. “That number includes thousands of the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable citizens including elderly, children and individuals living with a disability. The administration is proud of the work the program provides and encourages recipients who need assistance with heating bills to apply before the worst of the winter weather arrives.”

 Every year, as part of the PUC’s “Prepare Now” campaign, the Commission highlights programs that help Pennsylvania families prepare for winter weather and higher heating bills. The Prepare Now campaign educates consumers about the availability of low-income programs; increases awareness of ways to reduce winter heating costs; and educates consumers on energy conservation.  It also encourages consumers to review their electric and natural gas bills and supplier contracts, while informing them about PAPowerSwitch.com and PAGasSwitch.com as resources to shop for energy services.

 The PUC’s Prepare Now campaign encourages consumers on limited or fixed incomes to call their utility about programs to help heat their homes or pay their energy bills such as Customer Assistance Programs (CAPs) and Low Income Usage Reduction Programs (LIURP). It also appeals to the companies to increase efforts to educate consumers about other programs, such as grants under the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – which is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS).   

 Consumers interested in more information about these important programs can visit the PUC website, www.puc.pa.gov, and click on the "Prepare Now" link; follow social media messages that contain the #PrepareNow tag; or call the PUC at 1-800-692-7380.

 Consumer outreach specialists from the PUC are active across the state, conducting or participating in workshop events, free seminars, roundtable discussions and community fairs. During those events, plain language materials and literature designed to educate consumers about assistance programs and their rights are handed out. Materials include information on consumer rights in dealing with terminations and reconnections, available low-income programs and tips on how to “Prepare Now” for winter. For more information on hosting a PUC consumer outreach specialist at a community event, please call 717-787-5722.

 The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

 For recent news releases and video of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our website at www.puc.pa.gov. Follow the PUC on Twitter – @PA_PUC for all things utility.  “Like” Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission on Facebook for easy access to information on utility issues.

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Contact:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen
  Press Secretary
  717-418-2701
  nhagen-fre@pa.gov