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LIHEAP · Guide

Pennsylvania LIHEAP: season dates, income limits and crisis grants

Last updated 2026-10-24 · Reviewed against official sources · Editorial standards

Key takeaways

  • The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) runs LIHEAP. It says the 2026-2027 season is scheduled to open Nov. 2, 2026.
  • The last season ran from Dec. 3, 2025, to May 8, 2026, for both cash and crisis grants.
  • DHS lists cash grants from $200 to $1,000, based on household size, income and fuel type.
  • The posted income limit, effective Feb. 1, 2026, is $23,940 a year for one person and $49,500 for a family of four.
  • Crisis grants help when heat is off, fuel is low or a shutoff is near. DHS says eligible people get help within 10 business days, or sooner in a life-threatening crisis.

When Pennsylvania LIHEAP opens

DHS says the 2026-2027 season is scheduled to open Nov. 2, 2026. The application period usually opens each November. If you got a benefit last season, DHS says you will get a notice to apply early during the pre-season. You must apply again every year.

Who can get LIHEAP in Pennsylvania

Eligibility depends on household size and the total yearly income of everyone in the home. Renters and homeowners can both get help. You do not need to be on another public program, and you do not need unpaid heating bills. Your household includes everyone who lives at the address, plus relatives and others who room there and share expenses.

Pennsylvania LIHEAP maximum yearly household income (effective Feb. 1, 2026)
Household sizeMaximum yearly income
1$23,940
2$32,460
3$40,980
4$49,500
5$58,020
6$66,540
7$75,060
8$83,580
9$92,100
10$100,620

For each person beyond ten, add $8,520. These limits match 150 percent of the 2026 federal poverty guidelines. DHS had not posted a separate table for 2026-2027 when we checked.

How much the cash grant pays

The cash grant is a one-time payment. DHS sends it straight to your utility or fuel company as a credit on your bill. DHS lists a range of $200 to $1,000. The amount depends on household size, income and fuel type. You do not have to pay the grant back. DHS has an online benefit table that shows the amount by fuel type and location.

Crisis grants

A crisis grant can add money on top of the cash grant. It covers these problems:

  • Broken heating equipment or leaking lines that must be fixed or replaced.
  • No fuel, or less than a 15-day supply.
  • A main or secondary heat source that is shut off.
  • A utility shutoff that is about to happen.

If you have not gotten a regular LIHEAP benefit this season, you must apply for the program to be considered. If you already got one, call your County Assistance Office to report the emergency. DHS says help for heating crises is available 24 hours a day. In most counties, you start with the County Assistance Office.

How to apply

You can apply online through COMPASS, the state's benefits website. For questions, contact your County Assistance Office. The LIHEAP hotline is 1-866-857-7095, Monday through Friday. People with hearing loss can call 711. After you apply, you can follow your case at trackmybenefits.pa.gov. That site also tracks Medicaid, SNAP and TANF applications.

Do I meet the LIHEAP income limits?Free · no sign-up · next page

Frequently asked questions

When does the 2026-2027 LIHEAP season open in Pennsylvania?

DHS says the season is scheduled to open Nov. 2, 2026. Last season's dates were Dec. 3, 2025, to May 8, 2026.

Do I have to repay a LIHEAP grant?

No. DHS says LIHEAP grants do not need to be repaid.

Do I need to apply every year?

Yes. You must apply every year. DHS says applying online through COMPASS can make it easier for returning applicants.

Do I need to be on SNAP to get LIHEAP?

No. You do not need to be on another public assistance program or have unpaid heating bills.

How do I apply for LIHEAP?Free · no sign-up · next page Where do I apply for LIHEAP?Free · no sign-up · next page
DisclaimerThis site is privately owned and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by any government agency. The information here is educational and does not constitute an application or a guarantee of benefits. We only point you to the official channels: we do not take applications and we are not a LIHEAP office, a state agency or a utility company.

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