Pennsylvania's LIHEAP Crisis Program Covers Emergency Heating and Cooling Costs

Pennsylvania's LIHEAP Crisis program pays heating or cooling bills when you face an immediate threat to your health or safety — typically when your utility is about to shut off or already has. Unlike regular LIHEAP, which opens once a year, the Crisis program runs year-round and moves faster. You apply directly to your county assistance office, not through a central state portal.

The program covers natural gas, electricity, oil, propane, and wood or coal for heat. It also covers air conditioning costs during summer months if the heat poses a medical risk. Pennsylvania pays the utility company directly, not you, so you need your account number and proof of the threat before you start.

Key Takeaways

  • You apply at your county assistance office in person, by phone, or by mail — not online — and must show proof that your utility is shutting off or already shut off.
  • The program requires proof of income from the last 30 days, a lease or mortgage statement, and your utility bill showing the account number and the threat date.
  • Pennsylvania pays the utility directly within five to ten business days if you meet the income limits, which vary by household size and county.
  • You can apply for Crisis assistance even if you were already denied regular LIHEAP or if you received it earlier in the same year.
  • If your utility has already disconnected you, bring the disconnection notice or a letter from the utility confirming the date and reason.

Finding Your County Assistance Office and Contacting Them

Pennsylvania has 67 county assistance offices, each handling LIHEAP Crisis applications for its area. The office name varies — some are called "County Assistance Office," others "Department of Human Services," and some use the county name directly. You can find yours by searching "[your county name] assistance office" or by calling 1-800-692-7462, the statewide LIHEAP hotline, which will give you the phone number and address.

Most offices accept applications by phone during business hours, which typically run Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Some also accept mail or in-person visits. Ask when you call whether they are currently taking Crisis applications — in rare cases, a county may temporarily pause intake if funding is very low, though this is uncommon because the Crisis fund is separate from regular LIHEAP.

Have your utility account number ready before you call. The office will ask for it immediately and may look up your account status while you are on the phone to confirm the disconnection threat or date.

Documents You Need to Bring or Mail

Pennsylvania requires specific documents to process a Crisis application. Bring or send originals or copies of all of these:

  • Proof of income from the last 30 days — pay stubs, a letter from your employer, unemployment benefits statement, Social Security statement, or pension letter. If you have no income, bring a statement from your bank showing no deposits, or a signed letter from you stating you have no income.
  • Your utility bill showing the account number, the amount owed, and the disconnection date or threat date. If the utility has already shut off service, bring the disconnection notice or a letter from the utility confirming when and why.
  • Proof of residency — a lease, mortgage statement, property tax bill, or recent utility bill in your name showing your address.
  • Proof of citizenship or legal residency — a birth certificate, passport, green card, or state ID.
  • Social Security numbers for all household members.

If you do not have an original document, ask the county office whether a copy or a statement from you will work. Some offices are flexible; others require originals. Calling first saves a trip.

Income Limits and How They Work

Pennsylvania's LIHEAP Crisis program has income limits based on household size. The limits change each year and sometimes vary slightly by county, so the county office will tell you the exact number when you call. Generally, a single person earning under $1,500 per month and a family of four earning under $3,100 per month will likely be within the limit, but do not rely on these figures — ask your county office for the current threshold.

Income includes wages, self-employment income, unemployment benefits, Social Security, pensions, child support, and rental income. It does not include food stamps, Medicaid, or one-time payments like tax refunds or insurance settlements. The office counts income from all household members, even if they are not related to you.

If your income is slightly above the limit, tell the county office anyway. Some counties have small exceptions for households with high heating costs or medical needs, and the office can tell you whether you may have access to.

What Happens After You Apply

Once you submit your application, the county office will review your documents and income. If everything is in order and you meet the income limit, the office will contact your utility company directly and arrange payment. This usually takes five to ten business days. The utility will receive the payment and credit your account; you do not receive money yourself.

If your utility has already disconnected you, the payment may trigger a reconnection, but this depends on the utility's policy. Some utilities reconnect automatically once payment arrives; others require you to call and request it. Ask the county office whether they will contact the utility about reconnection or whether you need to do it yourself.

If the county office needs more information, they will call or mail you. Respond as quickly as you can — delays in returning documents can push the payment timeline back by a week or more.

What to Do If You Are Denied or If Payment Does Not Arrive

If the county office denies your application, they must send you a written notice explaining why. Common reasons include income above the limit, missing documents, or proof that the utility threat is not immediate. Read the notice carefully — it will say whether you can appeal and how.

Most counties allow you to appeal within 10 to 30 days of the denial notice. To appeal, contact the county office and ask for an appeal form or instructions. You can also ask for a hearing before a hearing officer, who will review your case independently. Bring any new documents or information that might change the decision.

If your application was approved but the payment has not arrived after 15 business days, call the county office and ask for a status update. Provide your application date and utility account number. If there is a delay, ask whether the office can contact the utility to confirm receipt or whether there is a problem with your account.

Applying Again If You Need Help Later in the Year

You can apply for LIHEAP Crisis more than once in a 12-month period if you face a new disconnection threat. Each application is treated separately, and approval of one does not disqualify you from another. However, Pennsylvania tracks payments to prevent duplicate assistance for the same bill, so if you apply twice for the same utility account in the same month, the second application will likely be denied.

If your utility threatens disconnection again months later, you can apply again. Bring the same documents — recent income proof, the new utility bill showing the new threat date, and proof of residency. The county office will process it as a new case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for Crisis if I already got regular LIHEAP this year?

Yes. Crisis and regular LIHEAP are separate programs with separate funding. You can receive both in the same year. However, Pennsylvania will not pay the same bill twice, so if regular LIHEAP already covered your current bill, Crisis cannot pay it again. If you face a new disconnection threat after regular LIHEAP paid, you can apply for Crisis.

What if I do not have a lease or mortgage statement?

A recent utility bill in your name, a property tax bill, or a letter from your landlord stating your address and lease dates will work as proof of residency. If you have none of these, call the county office and ask what they will accept. Some offices allow a signed statement from you if you are homeless or in temporary housing.

Does the utility company have to reconnect me once LIHEAP pays?

Most utilities reconnect automatically once payment clears, but some require you to call and request it. Ask the county office whether they will request reconnection on your behalf or whether you need to contact the utility yourself. If the utility does not reconnect within two business days of payment, call them and ask why.

Can I apply if I am behind on multiple utilities?

Yes, but LIHEAP Crisis typically covers one utility per application. If you are behind on both gas and electric, you can apply for both, but you may need to submit separate applications or ask the county office how they handle multiple utilities. Call and ask before you apply.

What if I missed the disconnection date but the threat is still active?

If your utility has not yet disconnected but has issued a final notice saying disconnection is coming, you still may have access to for Crisis. Bring the final notice as proof of the threat. If the utility has already disconnected, bring the disconnection notice. Either way, you are may be able to access to apply.