December 1, 2025 LIHEAP Enrollment for Heating Bill Assistance Opens December 3 Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services (DHS) will open enrollment for its Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps residents to pay heating bills during the winter, on December 3. Enrollment opened late this year due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. Learn More The LIHEAP grant helps income-eligible families to pay their heating bills. Those who receive assistance do not have to repay it. LIHEAP offers both cash and crisis grants. Cash grants are one-time payments sent to a family’s utility company or fuel provider to help pay their heating bills. The grants range from $200 to $1,000 and are based on household size, income, and fuel type. Crisis grants are available for families experiencing an emergency situation involving the loss of heat. Families can receive more than one crisis grant, if necessary, until a maximum of $1,000 is reached. Crisis situations include: Broken heating equipment or leaking lines Lack of fuel Gas or electric service that has been shut off Danger of being without fuel within 15 days or have received a shut-off notice for gas or electric services How to Apply To receive help, families can apply through the COMPASS websites, by visiting a local county assistance office, or by calling the statewide LIHEAP hotline at 1-866-857-7095. The 2025-26 season was scheduled to begin on Monday, November 3 and end on April 3, 2026. However, the DHS said this week that the federal government shutdown has led to it pushing back the start date to apply for LIHEAP by a month. Those who apply do not need to be on public assistance or to have an unpaid heating bill. Applicants can either rent or own their home. Those applying will need to provide: The names of people in their household Dates of birth for all household members Social Security numbers for all household members Proof of income for all household members A recent heating bill
November Recalls on Children’s Products Below is a list of October recalls from the following federal agencies: the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Food and Drug Administration, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Learn More Criblike recalled mattresses that pose a serious risk to children of injury or death by entrapment or suffocation. The mattresses may not adequately fit certain play yards or non-full-sized cribs. Babies can suffocate in gaps between an undersized mattress, extra padding, and side walls of a product. Konges Slojd recalled three-wheeled children’s scooters because the left front wheel can detach during use, posing a fall hazard. Consumers should contact the company for a full refund or voucher. Napei recalled its infant bath tubs due to the possible risk of children’s serious injury or death from ingestion. The tubs contain button cell or coin batteries that can be easily accessed by children. If ingested, they can cause serious injuries, internal chemical burns, or death. AliExpress recalled its convertible strollers due to the risk to children of serious injury or death by falling. The strollers violate the mandatory standard for such products because their restraint systems can fail. Bearlala recalled its baby loungers because their sides are too low to contain an infant. The enclosed openings at the foot of the loungers are wider than allowed, posing fall and entrapment hazards to infants. Mallimoda recalled its children’s pajama sets because they violate mandatory standards for children’s sleepwear. The pajamas pose a risk of serious injuries or deadly burn hazards to children. Anzmtosn recalled its Magnet Fidget Spinner sets due to the risk of children swallowing the toy’s loose magnets. When high-powered magnets are swallowed, they can attract each other, other metal objects or become lodged in the digestive system. Romorgniz recalled its fabric 12- and 13-drawer dressers because they pose tip-over and entrapment hazards that can harm children. The dressers are unstable if not anchored to the wall. Little Partners recalled its Children’s Grow ‘N Stow Folding Learning Towers. The platform inside the tower can collapse, posing a fall hazard to young children. Play Yards sold by Anna Queen were recalled because they pose a risk of injury or death from suffocation and entrapment hazards to children. Infants can become entrapped under the mattress or between the side of the play yard and the mattress. Umeyda recalled nightgowns that violate flammability standards for children’s sleepwear. The nightgowns pose the risk of serious injury or death to children from burns. WYBITNY recalled bed rails that violate the mandatory standards for children’s portable bed rails. When installed adjacent to the bed, children can become entrapped in the enclosed openings or the openings on the side or on the top of the mattress. Sanven Technology recalled Vevor baby swings due to suffocation hazards posed to children. The swings are marketed for infant sleep and have an incline angle greater than 10 degrees. Inkari recalled its plush alpaca toys due to the risk of children choking on them. The toys, which are intended for children under age 3, have eyes that can detach, violating the small parts ban. Bettina recalled doll sets that pose a risk of battery ingestion to children. The battery compartment of the unicorn contains button cell batteries that can easily be accessed by children. When button cell or coin batteries are swallowed, they can cause serious injuries, internal chemical burns, or death. Zippee recalled its silicone activity toys because they pose choking risks to children. The toys contain spherical ends that can reach the back of the throat. Great Lakes Wholesale International recalled select battery packs. The button cell and lithium coin batteries are not in child-resistant packaging and do not bear the required warning labels. When button cell or coin batteries are swallowed, they can cause serious injuries, internal chemical burns, or death. Zigjoy recalled its sleep sacks with feet due to burn hazards posed to children. The sleep sacks violate the mandatory flammability standards for children’s sleepwear.