PPL is urging area residents who qualify for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program–colloquially known as LIHEAP–to apply for funds that are still available to help cover the costs of home heating this winter.
LIHEAP “is a federally-funded program that helps pay the home energy bills of PPL Electric Utilities customers who meet income-eligibility requirements,” the utility company said in a message shared by the Borough of Hellertown on its Facebook page.
“We want customers who fall within income limits to apply,” PPL officials said. “The bitter cold, aka the polar vortex, has stayed away for the most part so far this winter. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t folks out there who couldn’t use this help and it doesn’t mean arctic air won’t decide to visit for a while.”
So far this winter, PPL customers have received $3.72 million in LIHEAP grants; a figure that represents a 21 percent increase over the same period last year, the company said.
LIHEAP grants–which don’t have to be repaid–are administered by the state Department of Human Services, and you don’t have to be on public assistance, own your home or have an unpaid heating bill to qualify. In addition to energy bills, they can also be used to help pay for heating emergencies such as a broken furnace.
The following income limits apply for LIHEAP:
Income Eligibility
| Family Size |
Gross Annual Income | Family Size |
Gross Annual Income | Family Size |
Gross Annual Income |
| 1 | $17,505 | 5 | $41,865 | 9 | $66,225 |
| 2 | $23,595 | 6 | $47,955 | 10 | $72,315 |
| 3 | $29,685 | 7 | $54,045 | ||
| 4 | $35,775 | 8 | $60,135 | Additional Person = $6,090 | |
For more information about LIHEAP, visit www.pplelectric.com/liheap.