Pennsylvania Code
Title 55 - HUMAN SERVICES
Part II - Public Assistance Manual
Subpart M - Home Energy Assistance
Chapter 601 - LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Subchapter A - FEDERAL LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
PROVISION OF CRISIS BENEFITS
Section 601.62 - Types of crisis benefits

Universal Citation: 55 PA Code ยง 601.62

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 44, November 2, 2024

An eligible household may receive crisis benefits for weather-related or energy supply shortage emergencies.

(1) Benefits for weather-related emergencies. Crisis benefits for weather-related emergencies may include the following types of assistance if the household is without heat or in imminent danger of being without heat. The types of assistance may include:

(i) The purchase of a new heating system if the heating system cannot be repaired or repairs will correct the problem only temporarily.

(ii) Pipe thawing services if the household has a consistent problem with freezing pipes that cannot be repaired by a plumber.

(iii) The repair of a broken furnace, which may include filter replacement and chimney cleaning or repair.

(iv) The repair of a water heating system, including repair of water pumps and accessories, if the system is essential for producing home heat.

(v) The repair of gas or other fuel lines when the lines feed the main heating source.

(vi) The repair of broken windows.

(vii) The loan of an auxiliary heater.

(2) Benefits for energy supply shortage emergencies. Crisis benefits for energy supply shortage emergencies include payment for the following:

(i) Home heating fuel for a household that is out of fuel or in imminent danger of being without fuel. The payment may be for either the main or second fuel type and may include the cost of an added charge for off-hours delivery service.

(ii) Arrearages to restore or continue home heating service from a utility company if the household meets one of the following conditions:
(A) The household is without heat or in imminent danger of being without heat because of actual or imminent termination of the main or second source of heat. The payment may include the charge, if required, for a service reconnection.

(B) The household has a $200 or greater unpaid balance for its main or second source of heat and a current payment plan with a utility company. The unpaid balance is the amount owed the utility less the amount of the LIHEAP cash benefit and the current month's billing. The LIHEAP cash benefit shall be deducted in all cases except as follows:
(I) The crisis benefit is for a heating source other than that for which the cash benefit was paid.

(II) The cash benefit has already been deducted from the customer's account.

(III) The household is ineligible for a cash benefit.

(C) The payment or arrearages may include the charge, if required, for a service reconnection, but may not be used for security deposits or applied to late payment charges.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Pennsylvania may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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