Even though winter doesn’t officially start until Dec. 21, it sure feels like winter out there.
Unfortunately, many people struggle this time of year to heat their homes. One way to ensure that everyone does have a warm home is through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, also known as LIHEAP. Applications for this program are currently being accepted and will continue to be accepted through April 6, 2018.
“Making sure that all Pennsylvanians at every age and stage of life are safe and healthy is indeed a top priority. It’s essential that we ensure the well-being of our fellow citizens including that every older Pennsylvanian, every Pennsylvanian, has a warm home,” Secretary for PA Department of Aging Teresa Osborne said.
Those interested in applying or learning more about this program can fill out an application online here or paper applications are available at local county assistance offices.
Last year, households across the state received average benefits of over $300, officials say. The cold weather forces many people, especially seniors, to make impossible decisions.
“Some seniors have to make decisions between warming their homes or paying for their groceries or their medications or their taxes or their rent,” Osborne. “It’s time when far too many of our seniors are starting to say to themselves, ‘I have to decide to heat or eat’.”
