Cite Need to Preserve $19 Million in Remaining Program Funds for PA, Ensure Federal Program’s Long-Term Sustainability
 

In a letter to the Commonwealth’s Congressional Delegation, Pennsylvania’s Public Utility Commissioners are urging Congress to take immediate action to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – including the preservation of $19 million in LIHEAP funding already allocated to Pennsylvania for the 2024-25 heating season.

In their joint letter, PUC Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank, Vice Chair Kimberly M. Barrow and Commissioner Kathryn L. Zerfuss expressed their concerns with recent staff reductions in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including staff who administer LIHEAP, and the impact of these staffing reductions on the distribution of remaining program funds for this year.  The commissioners also raised concerns about the future viability of annual LIHEAP funding in light of these changes.

“LIHEAP is a lifeline for Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable households, including seniors, children, and individuals with disabilities,” noted Commissioner Zerfuss. “It ensures that these families are able to stay connected to essential utility services—keeping their homes safe and warm, particularly during the harsh winter months. As consumers face increasing financial pressures, it’s critical that we preserve this program to protect their well-being.”

The commissioners emphasized the crucial role LIHEAP plays in enabling income-eligible households to pay energy bills and maintain essential heating services. They noted that this assistance helps reduce the number of unpaid accounts and arrearages, stabilize utility company revenues, and ultimately reduce the need for rate increases that impact all customers.

Last year, federal LIHEAP funding was instrumental in helping 346,000 Pennsylvania electric and natural gas customers keep their homes warm and safe.  So far this year, LIHEAP has provided over $71 million in aid to Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable citizens, with Cash Grants totaling more than $59 million benefiting 208,069 utility customers, and Crisis Grants exceeding $12.5 million to 25,138 utility customers.

The commissioners also pointed out that during the 2023-24 heating season, LIHEAP grants allowed 55,000 electric and natural gas customers to avoid service termination and maintain their utility service.

Additionally, Pennsylvania uses LIHEAP funds to support weatherization and energy-saving upgrades, which contribute to reduced demand on the energy grid and help stabilize energy prices.

About LIHEAP

LIHEAP is a federally funded program administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (PA DHS) that helps with home heating bills. Assistance is available for renters and homeowners. LIHEAP provides cash and crisis grants to households with incomes at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines to pay for utility bills and deliverable fuels for home-heating and other home energy needs. The 2024-25 LIEHAP season, which originally ran from Nov. 4, 2024, to April 4, 2025, was extended to April 18, 2025.

The PUC works together with PA DHS to make sure that eligible Pennsylvania families have access to essential LIHEAP funds each year to help them keep their heat on and stay safe and warm, especially during the winter months.

About the PUC

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.

Visit the PUC’s website at puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow the PUC on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Search for the “Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission” or “PA PUC” on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.