Pennsylvania’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Now Open, Says Barrar

November 2, 2011

by Pennsylvania RealEstateRama

HARRISBURG – November 2, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — Rep. Stephen E. Barrar (R-Chester/Delaware) announced today that Pennsylvania’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is now accepting applications for cash grants and crisis grants.

LIHEAP helps low-income people pay their heating bills through home energy assistance grants and crisis grants. Cash grants are awarded based on household income, family size, type of heating fuel and region. Crisis grants are provided in the event of a heating emergency, including broken heating equipment or leaking lines that must be fixed or replaced, lack of fuel, termination of utility service or danger of being without fuel or of having utility service terminated. In most counties, assistance with home heating crisis situations is available 24 hours a day.

Applications are available at the Chester and Delaware County assistance offices and from local utility companies and community service agencies, such as Area Agencies on Aging or community action agencies.

Income eligibility for cash grants begins at $33,525 for a family of four.

Barrar noted that the LIHEAP program has been a target of efforts to combat welfare fraud in the Commonwealth, as there have been numerous cases of identified fraud and abuse in the program.

“This is a wonderful program that was established to help the poor and elderly stay warm over the winter,” said Barrar. “Anyone who attempts to defraud Pennsylvania’s welfare programs, and its taxpayers, should think twice. Citizens who have information about suspected fraudulent welfare claims may contact the Office of Inspector General to anonymously report the crime.”

Cases of suspected welfare fraud can be reported online at OIG.state.pa.us, through the “Report Fraud” link, or by calling the Welfare Fraud Tipline toll free at (800) 932-0582.

For complete eligibility requirements and additional information about LIHEAP, visit Barrar’s website at SteveBarrar.com and click on “LIHEAP Information.” Barrar also posts information about his legislative priorities at Facebook.com/RepBarrar.

State Representative Steve Barrar
160th District, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Contact: Nicole Wamsley
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717.783.8063