March 12, 2007

CONTACT: MARTIN INDARS
1-717-787-5709 or 1-484-883-1628

WEST CHESTER, MARCH 12, 2007 - State Sen. Andy Dinniman announced that families in need of heating assistance will benefit from larger crisis grants and an extended application deadline for the Low Income Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) program.

“Many Pennsylvania families rely on LIHEAP to stay warm during the winter months, so I am pleased to announce this increase and a deadline extension,” Dinniman said. “The changes will undoubtedly help make rising heating costs more manageable for many throughout Chester and Montgomery counties.”

Crisis grants will be increased to $400 and the program extended to March 30, 2007.

LIHEAP recipients who have already received $300 in crisis benefits can now apply for an additional $100 if they experience another heating emergency.

LIHEAP helps low-income households pay for a variety of heating fuel services and furnace repairs during the winter months.

Cash grants are designed to help families pay their heating bills and are based on household income, family size, fuel type and heating region.

Crisis grants are approved for families with heating emergencies, such as mechanical breakdowns or unexpected fuel shortages.

For more information on LIHEAP, call the program hotline at 1-866-857-7095, log on to www.dpw.state.pa.us , visit the senator’s office at 1 N. Church St. in West Chester, call 610-692-2112 or e-mail the senator at  andydinniman@pasenate.com.

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