LIHEAP Pennsylvania 2026-27: Dates, Grants, Income Limits

Applying is free. LIHEAP in Pennsylvania pays your utility or fuel dealer (or you, if heat is in your rent); it's never a "grant" that arrives by text or social media. ACF's LIHEAP page (opens in a new tab) says LIHEAP doesn't provide direct grants to individuals and doesn't charge a fee for a benefit.

PA LIHEAP 2026-27 at a Glance: Dates and Grant Amounts

Pennsylvania runs two LIHEAP benefits on the same calendar, and both open November 2, 2026. According to the FY2027 final state plan (opens in a new tab), DHS adopted these program parameters after its summer 2026 public hearings:

The plan says DHS "may extend or shorten the program year, depending on the availability of funds." That happened last year: the 2025-26 season opened late, on December 3, 2025, after the federal shutdown, and DHS extended it to May 8, 2026. Seven testifiers at this year's hearings asked DHS to keep the season open at least 30 days into the spring shutoff season. DHS's answer in the final plan: "The LIHEAP program will run from November 2, 2026, until April 23, 2027."

The common mistake: waiting for a shutoff notice before applying for the cash grant. You don't need an unpaid bill to qualify. The cash grant sits on your account as a credit, so getting it in November or December is what keeps a spring shutoff notice from arriving.

Pre-season applications: the plan says DHS mails applications before opening day to households that got LIHEAP in 2025-26, and that past COMPASS applicants get a postcard directing them to apply online. If you got help last year and haven't seen either by early November, apply on COMPASS anyway.

Pennsylvania LIHEAP Income Limits for 2026-27

Pennsylvania sets its LIHEAP limit at 150% of the federal poverty guidelines for both cash and crisis grants (federal law lets states go as high as the greater of 150% of poverty or 60% of state median income). DHS's Apply for LIHEAP page (opens in a new tab) publishes this table, effective February 1, 2026, under the heading "Income Requirements for 2026-2027":

Add $8,520 for each person beyond 10. The FY2027 plan shows these are up from the prior year's limits: a family of four could earn $48,225 last season and can earn $49,500 now.

Specifically, here's how the two income lines in this guide interact for a family of four. At $45,000 a year, the family is under LIHEAP's $49,500 limit and also under the PUC's 2026 winter-protection line of $6,875 a month (about $82,500 a year), so it can get a grant and can't be shut off by a regulated utility from December through March without PUC approval. At $60,000, the same family is over the LIHEAP limit but still protected in winter, which makes the utility's CAP and a payment arrangement its main tools.

How DHS counts income, per the plan's eligibility rules:

• It's gross annual income for everyone in the household, including roomers related to you by blood, marriage or adoption. ACF guidance says heat can't be prorated, so the whole household's income counts.
• Wages get a 20% deduction when DHS figures your benefit amount, though not for the eligibility cutoff itself.
• If you already get SNAP, Medicaid or cash assistance, you report that income but don't have to document it again, and COMPASS can make an automatic eligibility decision using the income DHS already has on file if your address and household match.
• Zero or minimal income requires an explanation of how the household is meeting its bills.
• Citizenship: the plan requires U.S. citizenship or lawfully admitted non-citizen status for each person counted, and Social Security numbers for all members. Anyone without one completes an energy assistance affidavit.

Pennsylvania doesn't use categorical eligibility. DHS considered it this year and said in the plan that serving everyone on SNAP, Medicaid or TANF automatically would cut benefits per household "to an amount that does not provide any meaningful value."

How to Apply for LIHEAP in Pennsylvania, Step by Step

Pennsylvania offers 3 ways to apply, and all of them end at your County Assistance Office, which decides eligibility. According to DHS's Apply for LIHEAP page (opens in a new tab) and the FY2027 plan:

1. Online through COMPASS. COMPASS lets you apply for LIHEAP, SNAP, Medicaid and cash assistance on one application. Paper applications combining all four aren't possible because LIHEAP is seasonal, per the plan.
2. On paper. The plan says paper applications are "always available upon request." Pick one up at your CAO or ask the LIHEAP hotline to mail one, then return it to the CAO for your county.
3. By phone. DHS's April 2026 release says Pennsylvanians can apply for public assistance programs online or by phone at 1-866-550-4355.
4. Gather your documents. The plan requires proof of income for everyone in the household, and a fuel bill or receipt for your main heating fuel issued within two months before you apply. If heat is in your rent, a written or oral statement from your landlord naming the fuel type can stand in.
5. Watch for a missing-information notice. If your application is incomplete, the CAO must send written notice within 10 workdays and give you 15 days to send what's missing before it rejects the application.
6. Check status at trackmybenefits.pa.gov, which also covers SNAP, Medicaid and TANF.

The LIHEAP hotline is 1-866-857-7095, Monday through Friday (TTY 711).

LIHEAP phone numbers for Pennsylvania's largest counties

DHS's County Assistance Office directory (opens in a new tab) lists a LIHEAP number or LIHEAP office for each county. Here's what it showed on October 28, 2026 for the largest ones:

If your county isn't listed, use the directory or call the hotline. Numbers change, so check the directory before you drive anywhere.

What the Cash Grant Pays and How DHS Figures It

The cash grant is one payment of $200 to $1,000, and DHS publishes a county-by-county benefit table on its LIHEAP page (opens in a new tab) under "LIHEAP Benefit Amount Table." According to the FY2027 plan, the amount depends on four things:

The five regions in Appendix A of the plan run from Region 1 in the northern tier (Bradford, Lackawanna, Luzerne, McKean, Potter, Tioga, Wayne and others) to Region 5 in the southeast (Chester, Cumberland, Delaware, Lancaster, Montgomery, Philadelphia and York). Allegheny, Berks, Bucks, Dauphin and Lehigh are in Region 4.

What to expect in practice: DHS budgeted $113.6 million for cash grants this season and estimated about 393,356 households could be served, according to the plan. DHS cautions that dividing one by the other isn't a reliable way to predict any one household's grant. For a real-world reference point, DHS's April 8, 2026 release (opens in a new tab) reported that, as of March 21, 2026, LIHEAP had helped more than 233,000 households with an average cash benefit of $282 and nearly 83,000 households with an average crisis benefit of $558.

Supplemental payments are possible, not promised. The plan lets DHS issue supplemental payments if money is left, including an add-on for vulnerable households in amounts "subject to adjustment": $50 if someone is 60 or older, $50 if someone has a disability, and $75 if there's a child age 5 or under, up to $175. Don't count on a supplement when you budget.

Your credit lasts. Unused LIHEAP money stays as a credit on your utility account. The plan says benefits authorized on November 27, 2026 can be used through June 30, 2028.

Heat and Eat. The plan says DHS will issue a heating assistance benefit to SNAP households that pay for heat, include an older adult or a person with a disability, and haven't already been approved for LIHEAP. That benefit can raise SNAP benefits by qualifying the household for the highest SNAP utility allowance. See our SNAP guide for how the utility allowance works.

LIHEAP Crisis Grants and the Emergency Services Program

The crisis grant is Pennsylvania's emergency layer, and it pays from $25 up to $1,000 total for the season. Households can apply for and receive crisis help "regardless of whether they apply for or receive a LIHEAP Cash benefit," according to the plan. You can get more than one crisis payment during the season until you reach the $1,000 total.

What counts as a crisis, per DHS's apply page and the plan:

• Your main or secondary heating source has been shut off, or your utility has issued a termination notice
• You're out of fuel or have less than a 15-day supply
• Your furnace or heating equipment is broken, or a fuel line is leaking

How fast: the plan sets a 48-hour standard to resolve a crisis after you apply, 18 hours if it's a documented life-threatening situation, and within 15 days of running completely out of a deliverable fuel. DHS's apply page describes crisis payments as arriving within 10 business days, or sooner when the crisis is time-sensitive or life-threatening. Say "no heat" or "shutoff" when you call.

Rules that trip people up:

• The grant pays what it takes to fix the emergency. For oil or propane, that's enough to fill the tank as much as the funds allow. For a utility, the grant can't exceed the amount on the termination notice.
• Winter notices don't count from December through January. Regulated utilities can still send termination notices during the December 1 to March 31 moratorium, but the plan says those notices aren't proof of a crisis unless the PUC has approved the shutoff. DHS will accept termination notices from regulated utilities as proof of a crisis starting February 1, 2027.
• A past-due bill alone isn't a crisis. The plan says arrears count only if they would result in termination.
• Service is protected after a crisis payment. Vendors that accept a crisis payment must keep service on for at least 30 days. For regulated utilities paid during the moratorium, the earliest shutoff date is 30 days after the crisis is resolved or May 1, whichever is later.

Broken furnace? This is the Crisis Interface, now called the LIHEAP Emergency Services Program. The plan says the DHS and DCED (Department of Community and Economic Development) "Crisis Interface Project," started in 1993, "will continue under the name LIHEAP Emergency Services Program." You apply through your CAO, which decides eligibility and refers the job to the local weatherization agency. Emergency Services can repair a heating system, repair gas or fuel lines, replace a system that can't be fixed (including central air when it's built into the same HVAC system), repair broken windows when needed for the other work, and thaw pipes. The weatherization agency must address the emergency within 48 hours, or 18 hours if it's life-threatening. Renters and homeowners must be treated equally, per the plan. In April 2026, DHS set an April 10 deadline for that season's Emergency Services applications, so apply early in the season rather than late.

Pennsylvania's Winter Shutoff Rules and the PUC

Pennsylvania's winter moratorium runs December 1 through March 31, and it's tied to income. According to the PUC's consumer rights and responsibilities booklet (opens in a new tab), a regulated utility can shut off service in winter only if your income is above 250% of the federal poverty level, and for Philadelphia Gas Works customers the line is 150%. Below that, the utility needs the PUC's approval.

The PUC's February 2026 protections sheet (opens in a new tab) lists the 2026 monthly income lines:

What the PUC's rules require, per those two documents:

• Notice: a 10-day written termination notice, valid for 60 days, plus an attempt to contact you at least 3 days before shutoff. In winter, the utility must also try to reach an adult at the home at the time of shutoff and, if no one's there, leave a notice that it will return in 48 hours.
• Medical certification: a letter from a physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner can stop or reverse a shutoff for up to 30 days, with renewals possible. You still owe current bills.
• Restoration: between December 1 and March 31, the utility restores service within 24 hours after you pay and meet its conditions (up to 7 days if street or sidewalk digging is needed). The rest of the year, it's 3 to 7 days.

The red flag here: the moratorium is a pause, not forgiveness. The balance keeps building, and April brings shutoff notices. That's why the LIHEAP crisis component accepts termination notices from February 1 and why DHS ties crisis payments to keeping service on until at least May 1.

The moratorium covers PUC-regulated electric and gas utilities. If you heat with oil, propane, kerosene, wood or coal, or buy power from a municipal utility or electric cooperative, these rules may not apply; ask the provider about its own policy and use the LIHEAP 15-day fuel rule to get crisis help. Complaints go to the PUC's Bureau of Consumer Services at 1-800-692-7380, after you've tried the utility first.

Utility Customer Assistance Programs (CAPs)

Every large regulated electric and gas utility in Pennsylvania runs its own Customer Assistance Program, and for a household that's behind every winter, a CAP is often worth more than the one-time LIHEAP grant. The PUC's booklet says CAP customers "agree to make monthly payments to the utility based on household size and gross income," which may be less than the actual bill, and "some companies also may forgive the amount consumers already owe" in exchange for regular payments.

How CAPs and LIHEAP fit together, according to the FY2027 plan:

The PUC also notes two CAP rules worth knowing: you may not be required to pay a deposit if you're income-qualified for a CAP, and the PUC can't set up a payment arrangement on CAP arrears. Call the number on your bill and ask: "Am I enrolled in your CAP, and if not, can I apply?" The PUC's booklet says to call your utility for each CAP's eligibility rules and application.

Two more funds DHS lists on its apply page: the Dollar Energy Fund (opens in a new tab) for residents outside Philadelphia, and the Utility Emergency Services Fund for Philadelphia residents.

Pennsylvania LIHEAP Funding Compared With Other States

Pennsylvania's federal LIHEAP obligations for FY2025 totaled $229,541,730 (Assistance Listing 93.568), according to USAspending.gov FY2025 data in the award search (opens in a new tab). Grantsights analysis of USAspending.gov FY2025 obligations found that works out to $17.58 per Pennsylvania resident using the Census Bureau's 2025 population estimate of 13,059,432, compared with $11.94 per resident across the 50 states and D.C. That's about 1.5 times the national figure and ranks Pennsylvania 19th of 51 per resident. By total dollars, only New York and California received more.

Source: USAspending.gov (opens in a new tab) FY2025 obligations for 93.568 by recipient state; Census Bureau Vintage 2025 state population estimates (July 1, 2025).

How Pennsylvania splits its LIHEAP money matters more to you than the total. The FY2027 plan budgets about $238 million, including $14 million carried over from FY2026, and divides it this way: cash up to 50%, crisis up to 25%, weatherization 15% (transferred to DCED), and administration up to 10%. That leaves at least $182 million for benefits. For weatherization, USAspending.gov (opens in a new tab) FY2025 data also show $114,886,538 in DOE Weatherization Assistance obligations (81.042) to Pennsylvania, or $8.80 per resident against $5.61 nationally.

How to read this: more federal money per resident doesn't raise your grant above the $1,000 cap. DHS chose to keep the cap at $1,000 this year; its plan says raising the crisis maximum to $1,200, as one testifier asked, could mean spending all crisis money "before the winter moratorium is lifted."

What DHS's LIHEAP Pages Don't Tell You

DHS's pages give you the dates and the income table. Here's what they leave out or bury in the state plan:

1. "Crisis Interface" is the furnace program. If you've heard the term, it now goes by LIHEAP Emergency Services, and you still start at the CAO, not with a contractor.
2. Shutoff notices dated in December and January won't qualify you for a crisis grant from a regulated utility. DHS starts accepting them February 1, 2027. If you're behind in December, apply for the cash grant now and ask the utility about its CAP.
3. The closing date is a plan, not a promise. Last season ran to May 8 only because it opened in December. This season is set to close April 23, 2027, and DHS can shorten it if money runs out.
4. The average grant is far below $1,000. DHS's own figures for 2025-26 show an average cash benefit of $282. Plan your winter budget around a few hundred dollars, and treat the cash grant as one piece alongside a CAP and the moratorium.
5. You don't need to be behind to get the cash grant, and you don't need to be on SNAP or Medicaid. A common mistake is assuming "I'm current on my bill, so I can't apply."
6. Unsafe heating equipment can disqualify you. The plan says a household is ineligible for cash or crisis if the heating appliance isn't installed and operating to manufacturer specifications or code. If your furnace is the problem, ask about Emergency Services at the same time.
7. An old balance from a previous address can be paid in part. The plan lets LIHEAP pay up to 50% of a back balance at a previous address if it gets service established at your new one.

Avoid LIHEAP and Utility Scams in Pennsylvania

The red flags are the same ones the FTC lists nationally. The FTC's government grant scams page (opens in a new tab) says offers of free government grants to pay personal bills are scams, and its page on scammers who pretend to be your utility company (opens in a new tab) warns about demands for immediate payment by gift card, wire, cryptocurrency or payment app.

• No one can charge you to apply. COMPASS, paper applications and the CAO are free.
• No one can speed up your grant. Eligibility is decided by your County Assistance Office, and payment goes to your vendor.
• Check the website. DHS's site banner reminds users to make sure they're on an official state website before sharing personal information. COMPASS and trackmybenefits.pa.gov are the real ones.
• Hang up and call back. If a "utility" calls threatening shutoff today, call the number printed on your bill.

Report scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (opens in a new tab) and LIHEAP fraud to the HHS fraud hotline at 1-800-447-8477.

Other Help With Pennsylvania Heating Bills

If LIHEAP, a CAP and the moratorium don't close the gap, these are the next routes:

• Weatherization: DCED's Weatherization Assistance Program uses a 200% of poverty limit, per the FY2027 plan. See our home repair and weatherization grants guide.
• 211: dial 211 or visit 211.org (opens in a new tab) for local fuel funds and emergency help.
• SNAP and cash help: our SNAP guide and TANF cash assistance guide. Older relatives may also find programs in our help for seniors guide.
• Rent: if the heating bill is part of a bigger housing problem, see our rental assistance programs guide.
• Other states: helping family across the border? See HEAP in New York, HEAP in Ohio or LIHEAP in Illinois.

Pennsylvanians looking past heating help can try Grantsights' free eligibility checker, which begins by asking who you are. Choose "Individual," then "Personal financial help" (or "Student"), and you won't get a list of grants. You'll get official routes: the USA.gov benefit finder, rental help, help with bills, food help and studentaid.gov, plus the 211 line. That matches how heating money actually reaches a Pennsylvania home, through DHS, the CAO and your utility's CAP rather than a personal grant.

FAQ: Pennsylvania LIHEAP Questions

When does LIHEAP open in Pennsylvania for 2026-27?

DHS says the season is scheduled to open November 2, 2026. The FY2027 plan sets the close at April 23, 2027, though DHS can change it based on funding.

What are the PA LIHEAP income limits?

150% of poverty: $23,940 a year for one person, $49,500 for four, plus $8,520 for each person beyond 10. Renters and homeowners both qualify.

How much is the LIHEAP cash grant in Pennsylvania?

$200 to $1,000, paid once to your utility or fuel dealer, based on income, household size, fuel type and heating region. The 2025-26 average was $282, per DHS.

How does a LIHEAP crisis grant work in Pennsylvania?

It pays what's needed to resolve a shutoff, fuel shortage or broken heater, from $25 up to $1,000 for the season. DHS's standard is 48 hours, or 18 for life-threatening cases.

How do I apply for LIHEAP in Pennsylvania?

Use COMPASS, a paper application at your County Assistance Office, or DHS's phone line at 1-866-550-4355. The LIHEAP hotline is 1-866-857-7095.

Can my utility shut off my heat in winter in Pennsylvania?

Not from December 1 to March 31 if your income is at or below 250% of poverty ($6,875 a month for four in 2026) and the utility is PUC-regulated, unless the PUC approves. PGW's line is 150%.

Is a LIHEAP grant offered by text or social media real?

No. LIHEAP in Pennsylvania goes through COMPASS and your CAO and is paid to your vendor. Report offers to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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Sources

1. DHS: Apply for Home Heating and Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) (opens in a new tab) - 2026-27 opening date, benefit range, crisis criteria, hotline, benefit table
2. DHS: Apply for LIHEAP (opens in a new tab) - income table effective February 1, 2026, COMPASS, crisis timing, status tracking
3. Pennsylvania FY2027 LIHEAP Final State Plan (opens in a new tab) - season dates, minimum and maximum grants, budget, crisis rules, Emergency Services Program, heating regions, CAP rules
4. DHS County Assistance Office directory (opens in a new tab) - county LIHEAP numbers
5. DHS, April 8, 2026: LIHEAP season extended to May 8 (opens in a new tab) - 2025-26 households served and average benefits
6. PUC: Your Rights and Responsibilities as a Utility Consumer (November 2023) (opens in a new tab) - winter termination income limits, CAPs, shutoff and restoration steps
7. PUC: Protections for Responsible Utility Customers (February 2026) (opens in a new tab) - 2026 income guidelines, medical certification, restoration times
8. ACF LIHEAP program page (opens in a new tab)
9. FTC: Government Grant Scams (opens in a new tab) and FTC: Scammers Pretend To Be Your Utility Company (opens in a new tab)
10. USAspending.gov award search (opens in a new tab) - FY2025 obligations for Assistance Listings 93.568 and 81.042