January 11, 2008
Contact:
 Anna Gustafson
717-787-2637
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Senate Update
by
Senator James J. Rhoades

With colder temperatures anticipated in the coming months, the cost of home heating fuel is expected to rise. The Energy Association of Pennsylvania is expecting home heating costs to increase across the board, with the price of heating oil and propane seeing the sharpest increase – as much as 20 percent. The association also expects natural gas prices to rise by about 10 percent and electricity costs to increase by 7 percent.  

Because of the dangers posed by lethal cold weather, the state offers assistance to low-income individuals and families who are facing a heating crisis or struggling to meet rising fuel costs. Applications are now being accepted for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), a state-administered program that helps low-income individuals and families pay for their home-heating bills. Applicants can pick up an application at my district offices. 

Cash grants of up to $300 are available to help families pay regular monthly heating bills. The amount of the grant depends on income, household size, type of heating fuel and region of the state. Crisis grants of up to $300 are also available to pay for heating emergencies, such as a broken furnace, fuel shortage or utility termination. Assistance with a home heating crisis is available 24 hours a day through local County Assistance offices. 

Eligibility for LIHEAP is based on household income and family size. A single individual qualifies for assistance if their total annual income is $15,315 or less, with eligibility increasing by $5,220 for each additional member of the household. For example, a family of four can qualify for LIHEAP if their household income is $30,975 or less.  

More information is available by calling 1-866-857-7095, and online applications for LIHEAP are available at www.dpw.state.pa.us/ServicesPrograms/LIHEAP. Residents can also access information online about LIHEAP, other energy assistance programs and energy saving tips at www.staywarmpa.com.

Senator Rhoades represents the 29th Senatorial District, which includes all of Schuylkill County and parts of Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe and Northampton Counties.