What the LIHEAP Crisis Program Does and Who Can Request It

Pennsylvania's LIHEAP Crisis Program provides one-time payments to households facing an when ready threat to their heat or utility service. Unlike regular LIHEAP, which processes requests over several months, the Crisis Program moves faster and covers emergencies: a shut-off notice, a service disconnection that already happened, or a heating system failure during winter.

You request Crisis help through your local Community Action Agency (CAA), the same organization that handles regular LIHEAP in your county. The payment goes directly to your utility company or heating contractor, not to you. You must have received a shut-off notice, experienced an actual disconnection, or have a broken heating system to be considered.

Income limits are the same as regular LIHEAP: your household income must fall at or below 60 percent of the state median income. For a single person in 2024, that is roughly $1,800 per month; for a family of four, roughly $3,700 per month. The exact limit depends on your county and changes yearly, so your local CAA will confirm whether your income qualifies.

Key Takeaways

  • You request Crisis help through your county's Community Action Agency, not through a state office or online portal.
  • You must have a shut-off notice, an active disconnection, or a broken heating system to request Crisis funds.
  • The payment is sent to your utility company or contractor, and you should contact them before explore to ask them to delay disconnection while your request is being reviewed.
  • You will need proof of income, a utility bill showing the account in your name, and the shut-off notice or disconnection letter.
  • Processing time is typically one to three weeks, though it can be faster if you bring all documents to the CAA office in person.

Finding Your Local Community Action Agency

Pennsylvania has a Community Action Agency in every county. To find yours, visit the Pennsylvania Community Action Association website or call 211 (a free referral line) and ask for the CAA in your county. You can also search online for "[your county name] Community Action Agency" plus the word Pennsylvania.

Once you have the phone number and address, call ahead before visiting. Some CAAs have walk-in hours for Crisis requests, but many require you to schedule an appointment. Ask whether they are currently accepting Crisis requests — in rare cases when funding runs low, they may pause new requests until money is restored.

If you cannot reach your CAA by phone, 211 can also help you locate the office address and hours. Having the correct CAA matters: each county's agency handles only residents of that county, so if you live in Allegheny County, you must go to the Allegheny CAA, not one in a neighboring county.

Documents You Need to Bring or Mail

Bring or mail these documents to your local CAA:

  • A shut-off notice from your utility company, or a letter showing your service was disconnected, or a repair estimate for a broken heating system
  • A recent utility bill (gas, electric, or both) showing the account in your name and your current address
  • Proof of household income for the past 30 days: recent pay stubs, a letter from your employer, unemployment paperwork, Social Security statements, or bank statements showing deposits
  • Proof of identity: a driver's license, state ID, or passport
  • Proof of residency if your ID does not show your current address: a lease, mortgage statement, or recent mail from a government agency

If you do not have all documents, bring what you have and ask the CAA what you can provide later. Many CAAs will accept documents by mail or email if you cannot visit in person. The shut-off notice or disconnection letter is the most important piece — without it, the CAA cannot process a Crisis request.

What Happens After You Submit Your Request

After you submit your documents, the CAA reviews your income and the emergency situation. This typically takes one to three weeks. During this time, contact your utility company directly and tell them you have submitted a Crisis request to LIHEAP. Ask them to hold off on disconnection or to delay filing a shut-off notice while your request is being reviewed. Some utilities will pause action for 30 days when they know a LIHEAP request is pending.

If your request is approved, the CAA sends the payment directly to your utility company or heating contractor. You will receive a letter confirming the amount paid and the date it was sent. The utility company typically applies the payment within one to two weeks, though this depends on their processing time.

If your request is denied, the CAA will send you a letter explaining why. Common reasons include income above the limit, no shut-off notice or disconnection on file, or the utility account not being in your name. You can ask the CAA to review the decision if you believe information was missing or incorrect.

What the Crisis Program Does and Does Not Cover

The Crisis Program pays the utility company or heating contractor directly. It covers the amount needed to restore service after a disconnection, to prevent an imminent disconnection, or to repair or replace a heating system that is not working. The payment goes toward your account balance or the repair cost, not toward future bills.

The program does not cover water bills, internet, phone service, or other utilities outside of heating and electricity. It does not pay for weatherization, insulation, or other energy-efficiency upgrades. It does not cover rent or other household expenses. If you have multiple utilities disconnected, the CAA will prioritize heating in winter and may split the Crisis payment between gas and electric if both are at risk.

Each household can receive one Crisis payment per 12-month period. If you received Crisis help in the past year, you cannot request it again until 12 months have passed from the date of your last payment.

If Your Utility Company Threatens Disconnection Before You Hear Back

Contact your utility company's customer service line as soon as you submit your Crisis request. Tell them the date you applied and the name of your CAA. Ask them to place a hold on your account while LIHEAP reviews your request. Most utility companies will delay disconnection for 30 days when they receive notice of a pending LIHEAP request.

If the utility company says they cannot hold the account, ask to speak with a supervisor or the company's hardship department. Explain that you have a pending Crisis request and ask what documentation they need to pause action. Some companies require a letter from the CAA confirming your request; your CAA can provide this if you ask.

If disconnection happens before your Crisis request is approved, you can still request Crisis help. The program covers reconnection fees and the amount owed to restore service. Bring the disconnection notice and the reconnection bill to your CAA.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I request Crisis help if I am already getting regular LIHEAP?

Yes. Regular LIHEAP and Crisis are separate programs. You can be receiving regular LIHEAP payments and still request Crisis help if you face an when ready shut-off or disconnection. Tell your CAA that you are already a regular LIHEAP client so they have the full picture of your situation.

What if my heating system is broken but I have not received a shut-off notice?

You can still request Crisis help. Bring a repair estimate or invoice from a heating contractor showing the system is not working and what it costs to fix. The CAA may send the payment directly to the contractor to complete the repair, or they may pay you to reimburse the contractor if the work is already done.

Do I have to be a homeowner to request Crisis help?

No. Renters can request Crisis help if the utility account is in their name. If your landlord pays the utility bill and you do not have an account in your name, you cannot request Crisis funds — the payment must go to an account holder. Talk to your landlord about setting up an account in your name, or ask your CAA whether they can work with your landlord directly.

How long does it take to get the money to the utility company?

After approval, the CAA typically sends payment to the utility company within one to five business days. The utility company then processes it and applies it to your account, which usually takes another one to two weeks. Total time from approval to your account being credited is typically two to three weeks, though it can be faster.

What if I do not have a shut-off notice yet but I know disconnection is coming?

Call your utility company and ask them to send you a shut-off notice in writing. Explain that you are planning to request LIHEAP Crisis help and need the notice to explore. Most utilities will send a notice within a few days. Once you have it, you can submit your Crisis request to your CAA.