Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is sponsored by Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (federally funded program). Provides cash grants to help eligible Pennsylvanians pay their heating bills. Crisis grants are also available for households in immediate danger of being without heat.

While not directly for food, it frees up household funds that could otherwise be used for food.

Apply for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Apply for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) The 2026-2027 LIHEAP season is open! The season runs November 2, 2026 through April 23, 2027. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance program (LIHEAP) provides cash grants to help Pennsylvanians pay their heating bills.

\r\n LIHEAP can help you keep your home warm and safe during the coldest seasons. From November 2, 2026, to April 23, 2027, you can apply for a cash grant to help pay your heating bill. You can receive from $200 to $1,000 based on your household size, income, and fuel type.

\r\n The cash grant is a one-time payment. The grant will be sent directly to your utility provider or fuel company to be credited on your bill. \r\n Are you experiencing an emergency related to your household’s heat?

You may be eligible to receive additional funds through a crisis grant . LIHEAP can help you keep your home warm and safe during the coldest seasons. From November 2, 2026, to April 23, 2027, you can apply for a cash grant to help pay your heating bill.

You can receive from $200 to $1,000 based on your household size, income, and fuel type. The cash grant is a one-time payment. The grant will be sent directly to your utility provider or fuel company to be credited on your bill.

Are you experiencing an emergency related to your household’s heat? You may be eligible to receive additional funds through a crisis grant . \r\n To qualify for LIHEAP in Pennsylvania, you must meet income requirements, which are set based on your household size.

Renters and homeowners are both eligible for benefits. \r\n You do not need to be on another public assistance program or have unpaid heating bills to qualify. \r\n A household includes the person or group of people who live together.

When determining your household size, you must list those who live at the residence, including: All relatives who are rooming at the residence All unrelated people who are rooming at the residence and share household expenses To qualify for LIHEAP in Pennsylvania, you must meet income requirements, which are set based on your household size. Renters and homeowners are both eligible for benefits.

You do not need to be on another public assistance program or have unpaid heating bills to qualify. A household includes the person or group of people who live together.

When determining your household size, you must list those who live at the residence, including: All relatives who are rooming at the residence All unrelated people who are rooming at the residence and share household expenses Your eligibility for LIHEAP is determined by the total annual income and size of your household. The income limit includes cumulative yearly earnings of all members of your household.

To determine your household income, you should include the income of: All related or unrelated household members Renters who are related to you by blood, marriage, or adoption to a household member Your eligibility for LIHEAP is determined by the total annual income and size of your household. The income limit includes cumulative yearly earnings of all members of your household.

To determine your household income, you should include the income of: All related or unrelated household members Renters who are related to you by blood, marriage, or adoption to a household member \r\n Household Size \r\n Maximum Annual Income \r\n 1 \r\n $23,940 \r\n 2 \r\n $32,460 \r\n 3 \r\n $40,980 \r\n 4 \r\n $49,500 \r\n 5 \r\n $58,020 \r\n 6 \r\n $66,540 \r\n 7 \r\n $75,060 \r\n 8 \r\n $83,580 \r\n 9 \r\n $92,100 \r\n 10 \r\n $100,620 \r\n For every additional person, add $8,520 \r\n \r\n Effective: February 1, 2026.

For every additional person, add $8,520 Effective: February 1, 2026. How Much Do You Qualify for? You qualify for LIHEAP benefits, now find out how much you will receive in benefit payments.

There are two ways to apply: Online: Apply for benefits online using COMPASS, the online tool for Pennsylvanians to apply for and manage health and human service programs On paper: You can download a paper application, print it, fill it out, and return it to your local county assistance office (CAO) .

There are two ways to apply: Online: Apply for benefits online using COMPASS, the online tool for Pennsylvanians to apply for and manage health and human service programs On paper: You can download a paper application, print it, fill it out, and return it to your local county assistance office (CAO) .

Download the 2026-2027 LIHEAP Application Additional LIHEAP Applications Spanish LIHEAP Application Simplified Chinese LIHEAP Application Arabic LIHEAP Application Cambodian LIHEAP Application Haitian Creole LIHEAP Application Nepali LIHEAP Application Russian LIHEAP Application Vietnamese LIHEAP Application Additional LIHEAP Applications Spanish LIHEAP Application Simplified Chinese LIHEAP Application Arabic LIHEAP Application Cambodian LIHEAP Application Haitian Creole LIHEAP Application Nepali LIHEAP Application Russian LIHEAP Application Vietnamese LIHEAP Application Track your application status After you apply for benefits, you can check your application at any time.

Go to trackmybenefits. pa. gov to see updates on your LIHEAP, Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF application.

\r\n Is your household experiencing a heating crisis? \r\n In addition to LIHEAP cash grants, crisis benefits are available to those who are experiencing a heating emergency.

LIHEAP crisis benefits provide assistance for those experiencing: Broken heating equipment or leaking lines that must be fixed or replaced The shut off of the main heating source or secondary heating source (a source that is used to operate the main heating source or used if the main heating source is not working) The danger of being without fuel (less than a 15-day supply) The danger of having utility service terminated \r\n \r\n Eligible applicants will receive benefits within 10 business days of applying, or sooner for those who are experiencing a time-sensitive, life-threatening crisis.

\r\n Apply for a Crisis Grant \r\n If you have not received standard LIHEAP benefits this year, you must apply for the program to be considered for a crisis grant. If you have already received a LIHEAP benefit this season, contact your local County Assistance Office to report your heating emergency. Is your household experiencing a heating crisis?

In addition to LIHEAP cash grants, crisis benefits are available to those who are experiencing a heating emergency.

LIHEAP crisis benefits provide assistance for those experiencing: Broken heating equipment or leaking lines that must be fixed or replaced The shut off of the main heating source or secondary heating source (a source that is used to operate the main heating source or used if the main heating source is not working) The danger of being without fuel (less than a 15-day supply) The danger of having utility service terminated Eligible applicants will receive benefits within 10 business days of applying, or sooner for those who are experiencing a time-sensitive, life-threatening crisis.

If you have not received standard LIHEAP benefits this year, you must apply for the program to be considered for a crisis grant. If you have already received a LIHEAP benefit this season, contact your local County Assistance Office to report your heating emergency. Frequently Asked Questions Frequently Asked Questions When are applications open for LIHEAP?

The 2025-2026 LIHEAP application period for both cash and crisis grants is open from December 3, 2025, through May 8, 2026. \r\n LIHEAP grants are available every year. The application period typically opens in November annually.

\r\n If you received benefits in the previous year’s LIHEAP season, you will receive notice to apply early during LIHEAP pre-season. The 2025-2026 LIHEAP application period for both cash and crisis grants is open from December 3, 2025, through May 8, 2026. LIHEAP grants are available every year.

The application period typically opens in November annually. If you received benefits in the previous year’s LIHEAP season, you will receive notice to apply early during LIHEAP pre-season. What is a LIHEAP crisis grant?

Households experiencing a heating crisis may be eligible for additional benefits through the LIHEAP crisis program. If your main heating source is broken, in danger of being shut off, or is currently shut off, you may be eligible. \r\n Contact your local county assistance office to learn more.

Households experiencing a heating crisis may be eligible for additional benefits through the LIHEAP crisis program. If your main heating source is broken, in danger of being shut off, or is currently shut off, you may be eligible. Contact your local county assistance office to learn more.

How much money can I receive? LIHEAP cash grants range from $200 to $1,000 based on household size, income, and fuel type. Learn what benefits you qualify for based on your fuel type and location .

LIHEAP cash grants range from $200 to $1,000 based on household size, income, and fuel type. Learn what benefits you qualify for based on your fuel type and location . Do I need to repay this grant?

No, LIHEAP grants do not need to be repaid. No, LIHEAP grants do not need to be repaid. Do I need to reapply to this program every year?

Yes . You must apply every year. Applying online through COMPASS can make your application process easier as a returning applicant.

Yes . You must apply every year. Applying online through COMPASS can make your application process easier as a returning applicant.

How do I determine the type of fuel my heating uses? The fastest way to confirm your fuel type is to check with your utility provider or fuel company. The fastest way to confirm your fuel type is to check with your utility provider or fuel company.

How can I keep my home warm during the winter? In addition to using LIHEAP for immediate relief for your heating bills, there are ways to prepare your home for the winter months. \r\n These resources can help you reduce your heating bills: \r\nClick "I'm A Homeowner" for home insulation basics that can help save money on heating and cooling.

U.S. Department of Energy \r\nFind weatherization tips, information on saving electricity and fuel, and more. \r\n Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission Provides resources to help keep Pennsylvanians warm throughout the winter. \r\nIf you live outside Philadelphia, find information on programs that could help you pay your bill.

Utility Emergency Services Fund \r\nIf you live in Philadelphia, find information on a program that could help you pay your utility bill. In addition to using LIHEAP for immediate relief for your heating bills, there are ways to prepare your home for the winter months. These resources can help you reduce your heating bills: Click "I'm A Homeowner" for home insulation basics that can help save money on heating and cooling.

U.S. Department of Energy Find weatherization tips, information on saving electricity and fuel, and more. Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission Provides resources to help keep Pennsylvanians warm throughout the winter. If you live outside Philadelphia, find information on programs that could help you pay your bill.

Utility Emergency Services Fund If you live in Philadelphia, find information on a program that could help you pay your utility bill. \r\n For Crisis Situations \r\n Assistance with home heating crisis situations is available 24 hours a day. In most counties, you should contact your county assistance office.

Assistance with home heating crisis situations is available 24 hours a day. In most counties, you should contact your county assistance office. Call the hotline Monday through Friday at 1-866-857-7095.

Individuals with hearing impairments can call 711. Contact Your County Assistance Office (CAO) For questions or additional information contact your local County Assistance Office (CAO). This website is supported by Grant Number 2501PALIEA from the Office of Community Services within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided).

The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Community Services. This website is supported by Grant Number 2501PALIEA from the Office of Community Services within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided).

The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Community Services.