Financial and Utility Assistance (Updated 6/2017)

Energy Assistance Programs

What is it?
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission offers information on a number of utility assistance programs in Pennsylvania in addition to LIHEAP, the most well known program.
  • Budget Billing is available to any residential customer to help pay the same amount for your electric or natural gas utilities each month instead of having the bill change from month to month.
  • If you have special needs, you may qualify for the Customer Assistance Referral & Evaluation Program (CARES) to help you find ways to pay your utility bill. Special needs include customers experiencing family emergencies, divorce, unemployment, or medical emergencies.
  • Hardship Funds are available to you if you do not qualify for other financial assistance programs, or if you still need assistance after using other resources.
  • Low-income families can participate in the Low-Income Usage Reduction Program (LIURP) to reduce the amount of electricity or natural gas used each month through the installation of energy saving features in your home.
  • Other utility assistance programs, including the Universal Service Fund Telephone Assistance Programs, are also available.
Customer Assistance Programs (CAP) can help you lower your monthly bill or erase debt currently owed.

Do I qualify?

Customer Assistance Program (CAP) Income Eligibility Guidelines
Household Size
Maximum Yearly Family Income
(2014)
1
$17,508
2
$23,592
3
$29,688
4
$35,772
5
$41,868
6
$47,952
7
$54,048
8
$60,132

The income limits for CARES, the Hardship Fund, and LIURP are not listed but are slightly higher than the limits for the Customer Assistance Program.

How do I apply?
Call your local electric or natural gas company for more information. You can learn more about the programs and find phone numbers at http://www.puc.state.pa.us/consumer_info/electricity/energy_assistance_programs.aspx.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

What is it?
LIHEAP helps individuals and families pay for utilities and heat during the late fall and winter. If you are having an emergency, you may be eligible for an additional $300 to help pay your utility bills during that time under the LIHEAP Crisis Grant program. An emergency situation includes broken heating equipment, no fuel, cancelled utility service or being close to running out of fuel or having utility service cancelled.

Do I qualify?

LIHEAP Income Eligibility Guidelines
Household Size
Maximum Yearly Family Income
(2014-2015)
1
$17,505
2
$23,595
3
$29,685
4
$35,775
5
$41,865
6
$47,955
7
$54,045
Each Additional Person
add $6,090

How do I apply?
To learn more, you can call the LIHEAP Hotline at 1-866-857-7095 (TDD 1-800-451-5886). To apply, contact the local County Assistance Office. You can find the number for the local County Assistance Office in the County Help Chart.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

What is it?
TANF provides money to pregnant women, to children and their parents, or to children and other relatives that take care of them. You can use money from TANF to pay for your family’s basic needs, like clothing and shelter. There is a five year lifetime limit for TANF. After five years of being on TANF, you lose your eligibility for these benefits.

Do I qualify?
To qualify you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and have a Social Security number. You must also look for a job or get career training while on TANF. Also, to be eligible for TANF, your family must have $1,000 or less in resources. Resources include money in your checking and savings accounts, bonds and any property you own besides your home.

If you are a parent looking to get TANF for a dependent child, you must be seeking support for one of the following reasons:
  • Death of the child's parent; 
  • Incapacity of the child's parent (such as a long illness); 
  • Continued absence of a parent from your home; or 
  • One or both parents with no income or low income from employment.
You must agree to seek child support unless you have good cause not to (such as if you are a victim of domestic violence).

For more information on income requirements, please contact the Department of Human Services.

How do I apply?
To apply, you can use the online COMPASS program. You can also apply at the local County Assistance Office. You can find the number for the local County Assistance Office in the County Help Chart.

Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)

What is it?
This program, funded by federal funds, helps recipients make their homes more energy efficient and safer, therefore saving money and keeping homes warmer. On-site energy audits are conducted to assess home conditions and to identify the most helpful energy-saving measures to be installed. Services include but are not limited to: air sealing, installation of crawlspace insulation and ventilation, heating system modification or replacement, minor repairs and/or provision of health and safety measures, and client education on use and maintenance.

Do I qualify?
The program is open to those whose income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, with priority given to higher risk residents such as the elderly, disabled individuals, families with children and high energy users.

How do I apply?
You can call your local housing authority (the number can be found in the County Help Chart) or click here for a list of county agencies and their numbers who offer weatherization help.

Click on the programs or information below to view a printable pdf of the information provided:
Financial Assistance