As winter approaches, Pennsylvania’s annual cash grant to help families pay heating bills is reopening applications on Nov. 2.
Eligible households can apply for up to $1,000 through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
The federal cash grant, administered through the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), is sent directly to a household’s utility provider or fuel company as credits toward monthly bills from winter to early spring. The exact billing window for the 2026-2027 season has not been released yet.
Pennsylvania families can receive between $200 and $1,000 based on household size, income, and fuel type.
New Jersey’s heating assistance programs, including LIHEAP and the state-funded Universal Service Fund (USF), opened applications on Oct. 1. Households in New Jersey can receive up to $1,278 in LIHEAP benefits.
Who is eligible for LIHEAP in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvanians with total household income at or below 150% of the federal poverty limit can apply for LIHEAP.
Renters and homeowners are both eligible for benefits. Applicants don’t need to be on other government assistance programs or have unpaid heating bills to qualify.
Household income is determined by household size, which is the person or group of people who live together at one address. This includes all adults, children, relatives, and any unrelated people who live at the residence and share household expenses, according to DHS.
*for every additional person, add $8,520
During the 2025-2026 LIHEAP season, more than 233,000 Pennsylvania households received an average $282 cash benefit.
Who is LIHEAP-eligible in New Jersey?
New Jersey LIHEAP has different income eligibility based on the state’s median income.
A full list of New Jersey household income eligibility is available on the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs website.
Pennsylvania and New Jersey households can check their eligibility at liheapch.acf.gov/eligibility-tool.
When should you apply for LIHEAP?
Pennsylvanians should apply for LIHEAP as soon as applications open Nov. 2. The funding is first come, first served.
Households must apply for LIHEAP each year, regardless of whether they received a LIHEAP grant in the past.
How do you apply for LIHEAP in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvanians can apply for LIHEAP on the state’s online benefits portal, COMPASS, at compass.dhs.pa.gov, or by calling 1-866-550-4355.
The application deadline has not been announced yet, but will be shared closer to the start of the application window on Monday, Nov. 2.
How do you apply in New Jersey?
New Jersey LIHEAP applications opened on Oct. 1. Households can apply at energyassistance.nj.gov or contact the local County Social Services Agency. A full list of CSCAs can be found at nj.gov/humanservices/dfd/counties.
New Jersey households can also apply for the state-funded Universal Service Fund (USF), which provides credit toward heating bills, in the same application.
What are LIHEAP crisis grants?
In addition to the standard LIHEAP grants, crisis benefits are available as soon as possible for eligible households experiencing a “heating emergency.”
Qualifying emergencies include experiencing broken heating equipment, being out of fuel or at risk of running out of fuel, having a primary or secondary heating source shut off, and facing imminent utility service termination.
How do you apply for a crisis grant?
To be eligible for a LIHEAP crisis grant, households must first apply for a standard LIHEAP grant.
If a household has received a LIHEAP benefit for the 2026-2027 season, contact the local county benefits office to report a heating emergency.
Find your County Assistance Office in Pennsylvania at pa.gov/agencies/dhs/contact/cao-information. New Jersey County Social Services Agencies can be found at nj.gov/humanservices/dfd/counties.
How else can I lower my heating bills this winter?
If you’re not eligible for LIHEAP, or want some additional ways to keep bills lower this winter, here are some tried-and-true tips from local energy experts:
- Turn down the temperature. Peco estimates that you can decrease your bill about 2% for every degree you lower that dial. Use sweaters and blankets, even electric ones, to keep warm. Make it a habit to turn down the thermostat even more when you leave the house or when you sleep.
- Seal and upgrade. Caulk around your doors and windows, upgrade your insulation, and lock windows to reduce drafts.
- Close vents in rooms you aren’t using. Also shut doors to parts of homes, including closets, that do not need to be heated.
- Take advantage of the sun. Open blinds or curtains on south-facing windows, which get the most natural light during the day, to heat your home naturally. Close them at night to keep warmth inside.
- Stay on top of servicing: Get your heating system serviced before winter begins to save money, increase its longevity, and decrease the risk of being exposed to carbon monoxide.
- Replace lightbulbs: Make sure you’re using LED bulbs.
- Invest in a smart thermostat: It connects to your phone and allows you to control your home’s temperature from afar. The device can cost $100 to $300, plus installation, but pays off in your monthly bills. Check with your energy company before purchasing to see if it offers rebates.
- Get a home energy assessment: We learned a lot watching assessments on an apartment, a rowhouse, and a single-family home. Some assessments come with a fee.
Erin McCarthy contributed to this article.