Struggling to pay heating bills? How to apply for relief this winter in Pennsylvania

The Department of Human Services for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is now accepting applications for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which is aimed to help families who are living on low incomes pay their heating bills.

If you are struggling this winter to make some ends meet and need help keeping the heat on, there is available assistance for Pennsylvanians.

The Department of Human Services for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is now accepting applications for home heating and energy assistance.

The 2025-2026 Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is aimed to help families who are living on low incomes pay their heating bills. This will be done in the form of a cash grant.

The grant will be a one-time payment that will be sent directly to your utility company and fuel providers so the payment can be credited on the grant recipient’s bill.

The grants will be based on the household size, income and type of fuel and will range from $200 to $1,000.

How to apply for a LIHEAP grant

Anyone looking for energy assistance can apply online here through the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services website. Applicants will need a recent bill from their main heating source along with proof of household income from each household member.

The proof of payment can include paystubs, award letters, employer statements and other forms of verification.

Other documents may be required if you are not a US citizen, if heating is included in your rent or if your income is less than the cost of your monthly basic living needs.

From there it will take you to the online application option which is open from Dec. 3 through April 10, 2026. The online application will be filled out through COMPASS, an online tool to apply for health and human service programs. Applicants can check if they are eligible and then apply while filling out questions based on their household.

How do I know if I am eligible for LIHEAP?

To qualify for LIHEAP in Pennsylvania, you must meet income requirements, which are set based on your household size. Renters and homeowners are both eligible for benefits.

Applicants do not need to be on another form of public assistance to qualify for LIHEAP or have unpaid heating bills.

Your eligibility will be determined by the total annual income and size of the household. The income limit includes cumulative yearly earnings of all members of your household.

To determine the household income you should include the income of all related or unrelated household members and renters who are related by blood, marriage or adoption to a household member.

Those household sizes and maximum annual income requirements are as follows:

• One household member: $23,475 maximum annual income;
• Two household members: $31,725 maximum annual income;
• Three household members: $39,975 maximum annual income;
• Four household members: $48,225 maximum annual income;
• Five household members: $56,475 maximum annual income;
• Six household members: $64,725 maximum annual income;
• Seven household members: $72,875 maximum annual income;
• Eight household members: $81,225 maximum annual income;
• Nine household members: $89,475 maximum annual income;
• Ten household members: $97,725 maximum annual income;
• For any additional person, add $8,250 per person.