The LIHEAP Cash program, which provides grants to low-income individuals and families to heat their home, opens for applications Nov. 1. Grants range from $200 to $1,000 and are based on household size, income and main source of heat. You need not have an unpaid bill to receive home heating energy assistance, and you can receive this money without being in the Cash Assistance program

Annual income limits for eligibility are $16,245 for an individual, plus $5,610 for each additional member of the household.

The fastest way to apply for a LIHEAP Cash grant (and to check the status of your application) is to apply at www.compass.state.pa.us. You may also contact the Allegheny County Assistance Office at 412-565-2146.

To apply, you will need names of people in your household, dates of birth for all household members, Social Security Numbers for all household members, proof of income for all household members and a recent heating bill.

Additional money may be available if you have an emergency situation and are in jeopardy of losing your heat. Emergency situations include:

• Broken heating equipment or leaking lines that must be fixed or replace.
• Lack of fuel.
• Termination of utility service.
• Danger of being without fuel or of having utility service terminated.

Assistance with home heating crisis situations is available 24 hours a day by contacting the Allegheny County Department of Human Services at 1-800-851-3838.

I encourage all of my constituents who may find these programs of assistance helpful to apply and to contact my office at 412-343-2094 with any problems or concerns with accessing these or other services.