Federal Shutdown Holds Up $215 Million In PA Heating Assistance

Pennsylvania is delaying the opening of its Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for the 2025-2026 season by one month due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.

The delay in the annual LIHEAP opening to Dec. 3 stems from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services not receiving its federal funding allocation.

Without action from Congress or the White House to reopen the government or release the funds, the state cannot open the LIHEAP season as it had planned, officials said.

LIHEAP is a federally funded, state-administered program that provides benefits directly to a household’s utility company or fuel provider to help qualified low-income Pennsylvanians pay their winter heating bills.

Pennsylvania typically receives more than $215 million annually for LIHEAP, and it received $216 million in 2023 and $229 million in 2024. The state said it cannot backfill these federal costs.

Pennsylvania Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh urged federal officials to resolve the funding lapse, noting the program’s vital role.

“The LIHEAP Program helps more than 300,000 Pennsylvania families heat their homes during the colder months — and is especially critical for older adults and low-income families,” Arkoosh said.

Arkoosh called on Congress and the White House to “recognize the serious consequences that limiting heating assistance will have on the health and safety of people in Pennsylvania.”

Once the federal shutdown ends and the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services receives the necessary funding, it will begin accepting LIHEAP applications.

The department is continuing to process preseason applications already submitted for LIHEAP and other benefits during the shutdown, but payments for all of them remain on hold until the federal funding is released, state officials said.

While the funding is in question, Pennsylvania’s annual winter utility shutoff moratorium, which runs from Dec. 1 through March 31, prevents regulated utility companies from shutting off service for electric and gas customers whose incomes are at or below 250 percent of the federal poverty level.

State officials noted that the moratorium only prevents shutoffs; it does not cancel outstanding bills.

Many electric and gas companies also offer their own utility assistance programs for qualifying customers, which are available in addition to LIHEAP.

For immediate needs during the shutdown, Pennsylvanians can search for resources through PA Navigate at pa-navigate.org or by calling 2-1-1 or visiting pa211.org.

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