Erie County Times

The price of energy in the state of Pennsylvania has been rising across the board; and in a time of economic uncertainty, Attorney General Josh Shapiro and Acting Consumer Advocate Patrick Cicero are urging residents who need assistance in paying their utility bills to use programs made available by the state.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that the price of electricity in Pennsylvania is up approximately 9%, and natural gas is even higher at 20%; a recent news release on the attorney general's office website said. Shapiro and Cicero have asked the Pennsylvania Dept. of Human Services to use remaining funds to extend the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), with reports stating that the state saw record-high funding and usage of the program. The program has provided for 322,000 cash grants and 53,000 crisis grants for residents needing heat assistance.

"I urge DHS to keep the LIHEAP program open for applications until August 31," Cicero said in the release. "Pennsylvania has hundreds of millions of dollars of LIHEAP funding left, and no eligible Pennsylvanian in need should have their utilities shut off. There is help available."

The LIHEAP program is set to close on May 6 unless the Dept. of Human Services uses its remaining funds to keep it open during what was described in the release as a "crisis season." 

Shapiro said energy prices are not only up but they will most likely continue to rise.

"I want Pennsylvanians to know that there is help available for everyone, and that we are going to do all we can to make sure that these resources remain available to Pennsylvanians over the spring and summer," he said in the release.

There are a number of programs that can assist Pennsylvanians in need. One is "Budget Billing," consisting of programs available to everyone at no cost. The utility company takes the total annual utility cost and divides it evenly across 12 months.

"Hardship Funds" provide cash assistance for utility bill payments or if there is a critical need for assistance after other resources have been used.

The "Customer Assistance Program" is designed to lower monthly utility bills. Qualifying people must have an income 150% below the poverty level, the same as the LIHEAP qualification. The program calculates bills based on a percentage of income, and some outstanding debts may be forgiven.

There are also "Low Income Usage Reduction Programs" that help reduce energy usage and lower energy bills. This involves an energy audit to determine the energy use in the home; and if qualified, free energy conservation measures will be installed.

Payment agreements can also be worked out with the Public Utility Commission.

To apply for LIHEAP, visit compass.state.pa.us/compass.web/Public/CMPHome, which is the online tool for Pennsylvania residents to apply for health and human service programs. Applications can also be done by paper and returned to the local county assistance office.