Help with your
Pennsylvania utility bills.
Pennsylvania's Department of Human Services (DHS) pays LIHEAP as one-time cash grants of $200 to $1,000, sent to your utility or fuel company, plus crisis grants for heating emergencies. Your County Assistance Office (CAO) is the local contact.
This page is a quick reference for the season date, emergency contacts and the shutoff rules set by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC).
Eligibility
Pennsylvania income limits
| Household size | Monthly gross income | Annual gross income |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $1,995 | $23,940 |
| 2 people | $2,705 | $32,460 |
| 3 people | $3,415 | $40,980 |
| 4 people | $4,125 | $49,500 |
| 5 people | $4,835 | $58,020 |
| 6 people | $5,545 | $66,540 |
| 7 people | $6,255 | $75,060 |
| 8 people | $6,965 | $83,580 |
| 9 people | $7,675 | $92,100 |
| 10 people | $8,385 | $100,620 |
For each additional person, add $710 monthly or $8,520 annually. Source: Pennsylvania Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Verified October 15, 2026.
Meeting the income guideline does not guarantee assistance. Other program rules and available funding apply.
Mark November 2 for the 2026-27 season
DHS says the 2026-27 LIHEAP season is scheduled to open on November 2, 2026. You must apply every year, and applying online through COMPASS makes it easier for returning applicants.
If you got a benefit last season, watch your mail: earlier recipients get a notice to apply early during the pre-season. After applying, track progress at trackmybenefits.pa.gov.
DHS also says Pennsylvania applicants do not need to be on another public assistance program or have unpaid heating bills to qualify.
Source: PA DHS: Apply for LIHEAP
Call the County Assistance Office in a no-heat emergency
DHS says help with home heating crisis situations is available 24 hours a day, and in most counties you contact your CAO. The LIHEAP Hotline, 1-866-857-7095, answers Monday through Friday; callers with hearing impairments can use 711.
Eligible crisis applicants are paid within 10 business days, or sooner when the crisis is time-sensitive and life-threatening. Already got a cash grant this season? Report the emergency to your CAO rather than filing a new application.
Source: PA DHS: Apply for LIHEAP
Know when a winter shutoff needs PUC approval
The PUC winter moratorium protects customers from termination between December 1 and March 31. A utility can still terminate in winter without PUC approval if you are not a responsible customer or your income is above its income guidelines.
If service is cut during the moratorium, the utility restores it within 24 hours after you pay and meet its conditions. During the rest of the year, restoration takes 3 to 7 days.
Before a shutoff, the utility must send a 10-day notice, try to reach you three days before, and leave a 48-hour notice at your home.
Pause a shutoff with a medical certificate
Service will not be disconnected while someone in the home is certified as seriously ill. The letter must come from a licensed physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner and say that disconnection will harm that person.
An initial certification can last up to 30 days, with up to 60 more days of extension. You are still responsible for the bill while the certificate is on file.
You can also name a neighbor, close friend or family member to receive copies of late and termination notices. That third party is not responsible for your bill.
Ways to apply for LIHEAP
- Online through COMPASS PA at compass.state.pa.us (fastest)
- By phone to the LIHEAP Hotline at 1-866-857-7095 (mailed paper application)
- In person at your local County Assistance Office (CAO); find yours at pa.gov/agencies/dhs/contact/cao-information
- Download and mail LIHEAP application from pa.gov/services/dhs/apply-for-the-low-income-home-energy-assistance-program-liheap
Pennsylvania county offices for LIHEAP
Local agencies in Pennsylvania's largest counties. Confirm the current provider for your address.
Other help in Pennsylvania
Other programs that may help your household.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about Pennsylvania Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Everyone living at the address: all children and adults, relatives rooming there, and unrelated people who room there and share household expenses.
Usually not without PUC approval, because the winter moratorium runs December 1 to March 31. It can still terminate if your income is above the utility's income guidelines or you are not a responsible utility customer.
A licensed physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner. The letter must say that disconnection would harm the ill person living in the home.
Contact your utility first. If there is no resolution, you can decline its payment arrangement and file a complaint with the PUC at 1-800-692-7380, or dial 7-1-1 for relay service.
DHS describes LIHEAP as a grant that does not have to be repaid.
Official resources
Official links
Independent guide
GrantsHubUSA explains benefit programs and links to official resources. We do not approve benefits or process applications.
Our editorial policy