The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services announced this week that the 2025-2026 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) season has been extended by nearly a month.
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The extension that moves the closing date from April 10 to May 8 follows a season marked by a delayed opening caused by a federal government shutdown.
State officials confirmed that despite the late start, the agency has secured adequate funding to maintain the program through the new May deadline.
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh advised residents struggling with heating costs to apply for both LIHEAP Cash and LIHEAP Crisis benefits.
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“LIHEAP helps Pennsylvanians around our Commonwealth heat their homes and keep themselves and their families warm through the winter, but as we welcome Spring, past-due bills and emergencies may still be financially destabilizing,” Arkoosh said. “If you are still having trouble paying your heating bills, please apply by May 8 so LIHEAP can help ease this burden.”
The program, which provides federally funded assistance for both renters and homeowners, has served more than 233,000 households with cash benefits and nearly 83,000 households with crisis benefits as of March 21.
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The average cash benefit this season is $282, while crisis benefits have averaged $558, according to state officials.
President Donald Trump’s administration has called for the defunding of LIHEAP, but state officials noted there are currently no changes to the program’s structure in Pennsylvania for the current season.
In a statement, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services warned that continued federal support remains vital for providing uninterrupted assistance during the 2026-2027 winter season.
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LIHEAP benefits are issued as one-time grants sent directly to utility companies or fuel providers and do not have to be repaid.
For the current season, cash grants range from $200 to $1,000.
Crisis grants, intended for those at risk of service termination or those with less than two weeks of fuel remaining, range from $25 to $1,000.
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Eligibility is based on income levels at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Limit. That equates to an annual gross income of $23,940 for an individual or $48,500 for a family of four.
Residents can apply online through the COMPASS website, by phone at 1-866-550-4355, or via paper applications at local County Assistance Offices.
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For the program, households must apply annually, and those denied in previous years are encouraged to reapply for the 2025-2026 term.
A separate program for emergency heating system repairs, administered through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, remains available for those with inoperative systems. Applications for those specific repair services must still be submitted by the original April 10 deadline due to limited funding.
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