A day after three inches of snow marked the Pittsburgh area’s first major snowfall of the season, the state finally opened applications for a long-delayed heating assistance program stalled by the federal shutdown.

On Wednesday, the Department of Human Services announced that the 2025-26 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is open. Gas companies sent notices encouraging people to apply even if they had been previously rejected from the program.

“LIHEAP is a critical resource for families who need a little extra support during the heating season,” said Rita Black, Peoples Natural Gas director of community assistance programs.

The LIHEAP program is funded by the federal government and helps eligible households pay bills by sending heating payments directly to utility companies and fuel providers.

The program, which provides one-time cash grants ranging from $200 to $1,000, typically opens to low-income residents in November.

Each year, Pennsylvania receives the money for LIHEAP funding in a federal block grant. However, the state was unable to open the program while funding was paused during the longest U.S. government shutdown in history.

Because of the delay, Pennsylvania has a winter utility shutoff moratorium from Dec. 1 to March 31 that bars regulated utilities from cutting service to customers earning up to 250% of the federal poverty level.

In November, community members hosted a roundtable for residents, faith leaders, local officials and nonprofits to meet and call on state and federal leaders to secure emergency funding for LIHEAP.

“This is a community response to growing hardship,” Michael Eckert, an East Deer resident who had put together a petition to protect food and heating assistance, said at the time.

Eckert was unable to be reached for immediate comment on Wednesday.

Peoples Natural Gas, which is the largest gas company in Pittsburgh and the state, serves more than 700,000 homes and businesses throughout Western Pennsylvania.

The company said households qualify if their total gross income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty level; applicants don’t need to be on public assistance or have an unpaid heating bill, and both renters and homeowners are eligible.

According to U.S. Census data, the average household in the greater Pittsburgh area has two people. For a two-person household, 150% of the federal poverty level in 2025 is an annual income of $31,725, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ 2025 poverty guidelines.

Last year, more than 292,800 households statewide received LIHEAP cash benefits, and these households received an average seasonal benefit of $291, according to the state.

“Many customers may not realize they qualify. We encourage everyone to apply now, before funding runs out,” Black said.

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)