BETHLEHEM, OCTOBER 27, 2008 – The Pennsylvania Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, better known as LIHEAP, will open on Nov. 3 for individuals and families who need help paying their heating bills this winter, according to State Sen. Lisa Boscola.

LIHEAP helps low-income people pay their heating bills through home heating energy assistance grants and crisis grants.

“As the economy worsens and our utility bills spike, even the average hard-working family could have a hard time paying their heating costs this winter,” Boscola said. “No family should be left in the cold, and that’s why I encourage anyone who is having trouble with their heating bills to take advantage of this reliable and valuable program.” 

A family of four with an annual income of up to $44,443 can qualify for assistance. No lien is placed on property if you receive this help and participants do not need to have an unpaid bill to receive home heating energy assistance. 

Additional money may be available if there is an emergency situation where an individual is in jeopardy of losing heat. Emergency situations include broken heating equipment or leaking lines that must be fixed or replaced, lack of fuel, termination of utility service and danger of being without fuel or of having utility service terminated.

Assistance is available 24 hours a day in a crisis situation. For more information, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare online at www.dpw.state.ps.us or call your county assistance office in Lehigh County at 610-821-6509, in Monroe County at 1-877-905-1495 or 570-424-3030, or in Northampton County at 610-250-1700.

 Individuals can also call the LIHEAP hotline at 866-857-7095. A local LIHEAP hotline is available in Monroe County at 570-424-3517 or in Northampton County at 610-250-1785/6.

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