The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) - Pennsylvania Advocates Manual 2019-2020 Edition

Sep 19, 2026

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Provide a working reference for Pennsylvania advocates supporting low-income households through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The 2019-2020 electronic edition, produced by the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project for the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, explains program purpose, eligibility, application timing, and key legal authority. It highlights updates from prior editions, summarizes changes and clarifications, and directs readers to appendices with contact lists and advocacy resources. Footnotes cite the 2019-2020 LIHEAP State Plan and relevant statutes and regulations.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryGeneral

FormatPDF

Pages78

Reading Time27 min

AccessFree to download

Preface

2019-2020 LIHEAP Program In Brief

Summary of Updates and Changes for the 2019-2020 LIHEAP Program Year

Changes to LIHEAP in 2019-2020

Clarifications that Continue to Require Attention

LIHEAP: PA Advocates Manual 2019-2020 Edition

Introduction

LIHEAP in Brief

Cash Component

Crisis Component

Crisis Interface/Weatherization Assistance Component

Resources and Authority

Legal Authority

Administration

General Eligibility

Household Income

Household Size

Whose Income Counts?

Home Heating Responsibility

Residency

Temporary Living Arrangements

Recreational Vehicles

Operators of a Licensed Business

Fleeing Felon

Operation of Heating Appliance

Non-Citizen Status

Social Security Numbers

Applications

Timing of Application

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Pennsylvania Advocates Manual 2019-2020 Edition Produced by the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project 118 Locust Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101 (717) 236-9486 [pulp@palegalaid.net](pulp@palegalaid.net) Patrick M. Cicero, Esq. Elizabeth R. Marx, Esq. John Sweet, Esq. Ria Pereira, Esq. Kristen Geesaman Preface We are pleased to provide you with the 2019-2020 electronic edition of The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Pennsylvania Advocates Manual. The manual is developed and produced by the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project (PULP) for use by members of the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network and others who assist low income individuals. We hope that you find it to be of value to you and the members of your staff. Please feel free to copy as needed, circulate, and maintain a copy in your reference library. The updated 2019-2020 Manual is different from earlier editions circulated in prior years. Please replace any older version. This year’s edition reflects program changes, current forms, references, website links, as well as additional issues and advocacy suggestions. The footnotes contain citations to the 19-20 LIHEAP State Plan 1 and relevant legal authority for your reference. In the Appendices, you will find contact lists and resources to assist in your advocacy. The different aspects and components of LIHEAP often change from year to year and can be confusing to advocates and applicants. Many eligible consumers do not apply, and those who do apply often receive less than their full potential benefits. We intend this Manual to be a working reference that aids understanding of and access to the benefits provided by Pennsylvania’s LIHEAP. We value and request your input regarding the success of the Manual in meeting your needs and welcome any suggestions for modification. 1 All references to the State Plan in this manual refer to the Final 2019-2020 State Plan. PA. DEP’T OF HUMAN SERVICES, LIHEAP STATE PLAN (FY 2019-2020) (hereinafter 19-20 LIHEAP STATE PLAN), available at [http://www.dhs.pa.gov/cs/groups/webcontent/documents/document/c_279179.pd](http://www.dhs.pa.gov/cs/groups/webcontent/documents/document/c_279179.pdf)[f](http://www.dhs.pa.gov/cs/groups/webcontent/documents/document/c_279179.pdf). 2019-2020 LIHEAP Program In Brief............................................................................................ 4 Summary of Updates and Changes for the 2019-2020 LIHEAP Program Year ........................ 4 Changes to LIHEAP in 2019-2020 ............................................................................................. 5 Clarifications that Continue to Require Attention ...................................................................... 6 LIHEAP: PA Advocates Manual 2019-2020 Edition ..................................................................... 8 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 8 LIHEAP in Brief.......................................................................................................................... 8 Cash Component ..................................................................................................................... 8 Crisis Component.................................................................................................................... 8 Crisis Interface/Weatherization Assistance Component......................................................... 9 Resources and Authority ........................................................................................................... 10 Legal Authority ......................................................................................................................... 11 Administration..................................................................................................

FAQs

What is the purpose of the 2019-2020 LIHEAP Pennsylvania Advocates Manual?

It serves as a working reference to help advocates understand and access LIHEAP benefits for eligible low-income households in Pennsylvania, and to support applicants throughout the process.

How is the 2019-2020 edition different from earlier editions?

The manual reflects program changes, current forms and references, updated website links, and additional advocacy issues and suggestions, and it advises replacing older versions.

What kinds of information does the manual provide to support LIHEAP advocacy?

It covers program components and eligibility (including income and household rules), application timing, relevant legal authority, administration, and supporting resources such as contacts and materials in the appendices.

Sep 19, 2026

Upload by Jacob