In their joint letter, PUC Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank, Vice Chair Kimberly M. Barrow and Commissioner Kathryn L. Zerfuss called maximizing and protecting LIHEAP funding at the highest levels possible “essential.”
“This funding is essential because the rising costs of basic human needs, including high energy costs, are making it more difficult for many Americans to heat their homes.”
The commissioners cited the key role LIHEAP plays in enabling income-eligible households to pay energy bills and maintain essential heating services – thereby decreasing the number of unpaid accounts and arrearages, stabilizing utility company revenue, and reducing the need for rate increases that impact all customers.
During the 2024-25 heating season, federal LIHEAP funding was vital in helping more than 230,000 Pennsylvania electric and natural gas customers keep their homes warm and safe – providing over $152 million in aid and helping approximately 46,000 utility customers avoid service terminations and maintain their service.
The commissioners noted that LIHEAP funds are, in many instances, the only source of funding available to help senior citizens, children, and individuals with disabilities and sever illnesses maintain or restore their heating services.
Pennsylvania also uses LIHEAP funds to support weatherization and energy-saving upgrades that result in reduced demand on the energy grid to keep energy prices stable.
Additionally, in their letter the commissioners thanked Pennsylvania’s Congressional Delegation for their help last spring in preserving the remaining $19 million in LIHEAP funding that had been allocated to the Commonwealth for the 2024-25 heating season.
At the time, commissioners raised concerns with recent staff reductions in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, including staff that administer LIHEAP, and the impact of those staffing reductions on remaining program funds for this year and, moving forward, whether annual funding for this program is in danger of being eliminated.
Click Here for the Commissioners' letter.
About LIHEAP
LIHEAP is a federally funded program administered by the Department of Human Services that helps with home heating bills.
Assistance is available for renters and homeowners. LIHEAP provides cash and crisis grants to households with incomes at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines to pay for utility bills and deliverable fuels for home-heating and other home energy needs.
The anticipated opening date for Pennsylvania’s 2025-26 LIHEAP season is Nov. 3, 2025.
The PUC works together with PA DHS to make sure that eligible Pennsylvania families have access to essential LIHEAP funds each year to help them keep their heat on and stay safe and warm, especially during the winter months.
Click Here for the PUC announcement.
Resource Links:
-- PJM Electric Auction Impacts: 1 In 5 PA Households Report Problems Now Paying Energy Bills; Electric Utility Shutoffs Up 38.1% So Far This Year [7.30.25]
-- PUC: Brace For Higher Electric Bills As A Result Of Soaring Power Use; Consumers Should Review Energy Options [7.25.25]
-- Guest Essay: Rewriting The Energy Story — Together - By Stephen M. DeFrank, Chairman, Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission [7.23.25]
-- Protecting Clean Water Together: Electric Bills Increased 10-20% Since June - Community Solar Could Be A Solution - By Carol Hillestad for Brodhead Watershed Association [PaEN]
[Posted: September 2, 2025] PA Environment Digest
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