Low-income households can receive emergency funds to help pay heating bills or to repair broken equipment.
For low-income families who cannot afford their heating bill, winters can be long and rough. However, assistance is available from individual states to help these families pay heating bills or help them with other costs related to heating their homes. While the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services federally administers these programs, it is the responsibility of individual states to hand out the funds. Does this Spark an idea?
Pennsylvania Heating Assistance/LIHEAP
The Pennsylvania Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program provides emergency funds to low-income individuals and families so they can pay heating bills. To qualify for the grant, a family of four must have an income at or below $33,075 but does not need to be in the Cash Assistance program. Individuals and families can request funds even if they have not missed a heating bill payment. Under this same program, residents may also qualify for Crisis Grants, which are given to families who are at risk of not being able to heat their homes. Emergency situations can include not having fuel or being at risk of running out of fuel; utility services being or in danger of being cut off, and non-operable heating equipment or leaking fuel lines.
Department of Public Welfare
P.O. Box 2675
Harrisburg PA 17105-2675
717-787-4592
dpw.state.pa.us
Wisconsin WHEAP Program
The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program provides low-income individuals and families a one-time grant during the heating season, which runs from October 1 through May 15. These funds may be used for electric or heating costs or emergency situations. Grant amounts will vary based on the size of the household, heating/electric costs and household income, and the payments will generally be made directly to the energy company. For electricity, only a portion of costs will be paid. Crisis payments are given to households whose heat has been cut off, whose heat is in danger of being cut off, or who are out of or nearly out of fuel.
Home Energy +
P.O. Box 7868
Madison, Wisconsin 53707-7868
608-267-3680
homeenergyplus.wi.gov
New York State HEAP Program
The New York State Home Energy Assistance Program is for low-income households to assist with yearly heating costs and to provide emergency funds to families who have either lost or are in danger of losing their heating source due to termination by the utility company or loss of fuel. The program also gives out funds to assist families in replacing furnaces or other broken heating equipment. Under the HEAP umbrella, the state also offers funds to low-income households that need air conditioners installed for the summer.
New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
40 North Pearl Street
Albany, New York 12243
518-473-1090
otda.ny.gov
Tags: Home Energy, Assistance Program, emergency funds, Energy Assistance, Energy Assistance Program, heating bills
