PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — The federal government shutdown has already caused problems for Pennsylvanians, and the newest issue comes for those who may rely on the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
The shutdown started on October 1, and less than a month later, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, without funding, will be forced to delay the opening of the 2025-26 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). This news comes just days after the announcement that the November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments would not be made to Commonwealth residents.
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The decision to postpone the opening of the LIHEAP season to Dec. 3 is due to the program being federally funded and administered by DHS. Residents who are approved have funding directly given to a household’s utility company or home heating fuel provider to make sure that residents can heat their home during the winter months.
On average, Pennsylvania receives more than $215 million every year for LIHEAP, and the state cannot backfill the costs.
“The LIHEAP Program helps more than 300,000 Pennsylvania families heat their homes during the colder months – and is especially critical for older adults and low-income families. Inaction from the Republican-controlled Congress now threatens access to this assistance,” Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh said. “I urge Congress and the White House to recognize the serious consequences that limiting heating assistance will have on the health and safety of people in Pennsylvania. Congress must come together for a solution that protects people most at risk.”
Once the federal shutdown ends and DHS receives the funding needed to begin the LIHEAP season, DHS will start accepting LIHEAP applications. DHS will continue to process already-received preseason applications for LIHEAP and other benefits during the shutdown. In both cases, payments are on hold until federal funding is released to Pennsylvania.
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Residents are still encouraged to apply for other utility assistance programs. Additionally, Pennsylvania’s annual winter utility shutoff moratorium runs from December 1 through March 31 and prevents utilities from being shut off for customers of regulated utility companies at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level.
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