On December 22, more than $845 million was being released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to states to help low-income households with their heating and home energy costs under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The continuing resolution currently in place allows HHS to release these funds to states, territories, tribes and the District of Columbia.

According to Harry Geller of the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project this will result in an additional $44,022,951 coming to Pennsylvania to fund the LIHEAP program in Pennsylvania.

“Even as the economy shows signs of improvement, many Americans are struggling to make ends meet,” said George Sheldon, HHS acting assistant secretary for children and families. “We are making funds available today to help vulnerable families and seniors pay their heating bills and stay warm during this holiday season and into early 2012.”

LIHEAP assists low-income households, including families with children and seniors, with their home energy needs such as heating in the winter, cooling their homes in the summer, and insulating their homes to make them more energy efficient and reduce their energy costs. The additional $845 million in block grant funds released is in addition to the $1.7 billion released to states since October 2011. Including the funds released today, states will have received a total of $2.581 billion in LIHEAP block funds for Fiscal Year 2012.

“There are low-income families, children and seniors across the country that need help paying to heat their homes,” said Jeannie Chaffin, director for the Office of Community Services. “We recognize the importance of getting these funds out quickly so that families can get the help they need during the winter.”

For a complete list of additional funds available to states today please visit: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/news/press/2011/2012LIHEAP845K.html

Individuals interested in applying for energy assistance should contact their local/state LIHEAP agency. For more information, go to: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/liheap or http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/liheap/brochure/brochure.html.

In Pennsylvania, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare. There are three different ways you can apply for LIHEAP in Pennsylvania, online, on paper, or in person:

1. You can apply for the LIHEAP benefits online by using COMPASS. COMPASS is the name of the website where you can apply for LIHEAP and many other services that can help you make ends meet.
    
2. Download an application for LIHEAP benefits by clicking on the links below and return it to your local county assistance office, or
   
   English- Energy Assistance Application
   Spanish-Energy Assistance Application
    
3. File an application at your local county assistance office.

For more information, please contact your local County Assistance Office or contact the LIHEAP hotline at 1-866-857-7095. An informational brochure also is available from DPW.