WASHINGTON REMINDS CONSTITUENTS TO APPLY FOR LIHEAP 

          PHILADELPHIA, October 25 – State Senator LeAnna M. Washington (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) reminded constituents today to apply for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).  LIHEAP will begin accepting applications on November 7.

          “With what is shaping up to be a harsh and devastating winter this year, I am urging all low-income household to apply for this beneficial program as soon as possible,” Washington said. 

          LIHEAP helps low income families pay their heating bills through energy assistance grants and emergency repair assistance. There are three types of assistance:

• The Cash Grant is available to assist with your heating bills.

• The Crisis Grant is for those who have a home heating emergency. The Crisis Grant is separate from the Cash grant and may provide you with additional financial assistance needed to end the emergency. Emergency situations include:
  · broken heating equipment or leaking lines which must be   fixed
  · being without fuel
  · utility service termination
  · imminent danger of being without fuel or of having utility service terminated.
  Assistance with energy emergency situations is available 24 hours per day.

• The Crisis-Interface component will assist you if you require a heating system repair. The county assistance office will make an emergency referral to your local Weatherization provider for immediate heating system repairs.

          Washington added that depending on the circumstances, a family could qualify for all three types of loans.

          Eligibility requirements for LIHEAP include homeowners and renters who are responsible for their heating bills and have a low or fixed income are eligible.

          “With home heating costs rising by almost 50 percent this year, you must not delay in applying for home heating aid,” Washington said.

          To apply for LIHEAP call or visit your local welfare office to set up an appointment. If you can't go to the welfare office because you are homebound, call the welfare office for help.  Be sure to apply in the County in which you live.

          You can also complete the on-line application form and then mail it in.

          Those with Internet access may choose to apply electronically via the COMPASS Website at https://www.humanservices.state.pa.us/COMPASS. 

          Some of the information you will need when applying includes:

• Names of people in household

• Social Security numbers for all household members

• Proof of income for all household members

• Recent heating bill

          “It is important that citizens have all their information ready when they apply,” said Washington.  “This will prevent delays in assistance due to application errors.”

          Washington added that area utility companies also have programs aimed at helping qualifying low income customers keep up with their bills.