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Grants available to help with heating bills

2 min read
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As frigid temperatures settle over the region, Peoples is reminding customers they can apply for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Funds are still available to help limited-income utility customers with winter heating bills, whether they rent or own their home.

LIHEAP is a federally funded program administered by the state Department of Public Welfare that helps income-eligible consumers pay winter home heating costs. The program provides a one-time grant, applied directly to the customer’s utility bill. Grants are also available for residents without heat or in danger of being without heat.

The income eligibility limit for the 2017-18 LIHEAP is 150 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines. This means individuals with an annual income of up to $18,090 are eligible to apply. A family of four can earn an annual income of up to $36,900. LIHEAP closes on March 31, 2018, or earlier if funds run out.

Customers can apply online through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Access to Social Service website at www.compass.state.pa.us or by calling 1-866-827-1281. To apply, the customer must provide the following information: names, birth dates and social security numbers of all people in the household; proof of income for all members of the household; and a copy of a recent heating bill.

Peoples administers several other programs to help customers afford winter heating, some based on 200 percent of federal poverty income guidelines. This means individuals with an annual income of up to $24,120 may be eligible to apply. A family of four can earn an annual income of up to $49,200.

A toll-free number, 1-800-400-WARM, provides information and access. Learn more about LIHEAP and other programs at www.peoples-gas.com/help-me-pay.

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