Columbia Gas reminds its customers that in addition to cash grants, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) also offers crisis grants to assist income-eligible households without heat or in danger of being without heat.
Income-eligible customers may receive crisis grants ranging from $25 to $1,000 for emergency situations such as a broken furnace that needs to be repaired or replaced, or a potential service termination.
“Crisis grants are especially helpful to households facing unanticipated heating emergencies, giving our at-risk customers peace of mind that they will be able to stay safe and warm during cold weather,” said Deb Davis, Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania manager, Universal Services. “We encourage them to take advantage of this benefit and apply for assistance. Because these are one-time grants, customers don’t have to worry about repaying them.”
LIHEAP, a federally funded program administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, also provides cash grants ranging from $200 to $1,000 based on household size, income and fuel type to assist in paying winter heating bills.
The income eligibility limit for the 2024-2025 program is 150 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines. This means that an individual with an annual income of up to $22,590 is eligible to apply. A family of four can earn an annual income of up to $46,800. Households can apply for grants until April 4, 2025. Last heating season, more than 18,000 Columbia Gas customers received LIHEAP grants to help with their energy costs.
Customers can apply for LIHEAP assistance online through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Access to Social Service website (COMPASS) at www.compass.state.pa.us or can request an application by calling the statewide LIHEAP hotline at 1-866-857-7095.
In addition to LIHEAP, Columbia Gas offers customers assistance programs that offer flexible payment options, budget plans and income-eligible financial support. Customers can visit the Columbia Gas Energy Assistance Resource Center to access energy assistance fact sheets and an eligibility calculator to determine what programs that may best meet their financial situation.
