News

April 26, 2023

PA DHS Extends LIHEAP Application Period

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (PADHS) has extended the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) application period.

Previously set to close April 28, PADHS will now accept applications through May 12. Pennsylvanians who are behind on or having trouble paying home heating bills are encouraged to apply for LIHEAP benefits before the new deadline.

About LIHEAP

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps families living on low incomes pay their heating bills in the form of a cash grant. Households in immediate danger of being without heat can also qualify for crisis grants.

The cash grant is a one-time payment sent directly to the utility company/fuel provider to be credited on your bill. These grants range from $300 to $1,000 based on household size, income, and fuel type.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet income requirements for 2022-2023. They are as follows:

One-person household: $20,385
Two-person household: $27,465
Three-person household: $34,545
Four-person household: $41,625
Five-person household: $48,705
Six-person household: $55,785
Seven-person household: $62,865
Eight-person household: $69,945
Nine-person household: $77,025
Ten-person household: $84,105
For every additional person: Add $7,080

Applicants must have proof of income for each adult in the household, a copy of their most recent utility bill, and the social security number of each adult in the household (and child, if possible).

Apply

There are two ways to apply for LIHEAP:

Online: Apply for benefits online using COMPASS, the online tool for Pennsylvanians to apply for health and human service programs and manage benefit information.
On paper: You can download a paper application, print it, fill it out, and return it to your local county assistance office.
- 2022-2023 LIHEAP Application — English
- 2022-2023 LIHEAP Application — Spanish

After your application is reviewed, you will receive written notice explaining your eligibility and the amount of assistance you will receive. Please allow 30 days for a response.

Learn More

To learn more, visit the LIHEAP webpage on the PADHS website.

News

May 13, 2019

Centering the Identity of the Black Child through African Culture

Join the 2nd Annual Centering the Identity of the Black Child through African Culture conference to explore African-centered parenting and guardianship, psychology, and tools to heal vitality. Child care is provided.

About

Bringing together parents, caregivers, the Association of Black Psychologies, health experts, creatives, and learning leaders, the 2nd Annual Centering the Identity of the Black Child through African Culture conference will highlight health and education as a central focus to optimize energy, development milestones, and success. Attendees can expect to leave the conference with tools to latch onto the high teachings that have been preserved by the knowledge bearers to help families and communities understand the role of African Culture in the development of black children.

Registration

To RSVP, visit the event webpage.

For questions, contact 412.689.2812 or eyberscrae@gmail.com.

News

March 19, 2019

Some Pittsburgh Residents May Register for Free Lead Water Line Replacement

Overview

Pittsburgh residents who have lead water lines and meet income guidelines can have their pipes replaced for free. Pipes may be replaced through a Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority program administered by the Dollar Energy Fund.

Funding

PWSA has $1.8 million set aside for the program. Consequently, they must spend the money before November 2021. The money must be spent due to an agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The DEP in 2017 fined the authority $2.4 million after it failed to report a change in water treatment chemicals to state regulators. DEP and PWSA negotiated a settlement whereby $1.8 million was returned to the city for lead line replacements.

The authority so far has replaced 18 water lines through the program and estimates the $1.8 million can pay for a total of 200 lines. A family of four earning no more $61,500 per year would qualify. Officials said they are certain eligible customers have failed to apply. “I don’t know what the reason for that would be,” said Paul Leger, who chairs the PWSA board of directors. “It’s not complicated. If you hit the income line, you just go to Dollar Energy Fund and you’re in.”

Apply

To apply, residents can call PWSA at (866) 762-2348. Representatives at Dollar Energy will verify income eligibility and PWSA will schedule a time for replacement after confirming the home has a lead water line.

Eligibility

PWSA spokesman Will Pickering noted that PWSA sewer customers who receive their water through the Pennsylvania American Water Co. are not eligible. The program is unrelated to PWSA’s $40 million lead program, in which it will replace a homeowner’s private line for free while replacing lead lines in the street that are owned by the authority, Pickering said.

PWSA has struggled since 2016 to reduce lead levels in water that exceeded a federal threshold of 15 parts per billion. The most recent test results released in January indicated lead levels of 20 ppb from July to December. The authority is addressing the problem by replacing all lead waterlines in its service area, which includes about 300,000 people in Pittsburgh and the surrounding area, and by adding the anti-corrosion chemical orthophosphate to water. Since 2016, PWSA has replaced more than 2,825 waterlines. It plans to replace up to 3,400 lead lead lines this year.