Help paying your electric bill in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania got $232.5 million in the HHS table, about $44 for each of its 5,235,339 households. Income limit 150% of the poverty guideline; public line 1-866-857-7095. Heating help reached 302,351 households in FY2024.
Who to call in Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania LIHEAP public line1-866-857-7095
- State program sitedhs.pa.gov/Services/Assistance/Pages/LIHEAP.aspx
- Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission800-692-7380 (links checked 2026-10-02)
Shutoff rules and moratoria in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania: cold weather by dates; hot weather by none listed; health or age needs yes.
| Protection | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Colder months, by date | December 1 - March 31 No disconnections during this time for customers at or below 250% of Federal Poverty Level, 150% for one specific utility. |
| Health or age needs | 30-day shutoff delay with doctors note, may be renewed twice. |
| Also listed | Note: Pennsylvania will be renewing this act in 2024 which may change rules |
Clearinghouse, April 2026; cites Responsible Utility Customer Protection Act.
Rule text read, 2 October 2026: 52 Pa. Code § 56.100. From December 1 to March 31, an electric or gas distribution utility in Pennsylvania may not shut off households at or below 250% of the federal poverty level, except in cases such as unauthorized use, fraud or tampering. A utility that wants to cut off a protected customer must go through the notice and personal-contact steps and ask the Commission for permission. Quote: “may not terminate service to customers with household incomes at or below 250% of the Federal poverty level”. Source: text of the rule (Cornell LII).
| Point | Pennsylvania: 52 Pa. Code § 56.100 |
|---|---|
| Winter / cold | Unless the Commission otherwise authorizes, Dec 1 - Mar 31 an electric distribution utility may not terminate service to customers with household income at or below 250% of the federal poverty level, except as § 56.100 or § 56.98 (immediate termination: unauthorized use, fraud, tampering, tariff violations) allows ((b)). Accounts in a landlord ratepayer's name also protected Dec 1 - Mar 31 except § 56.98 grounds ((f)). |
| Who is protected | Utility may petition the Commission for permission to terminate a protected customer after following §§ 56.91-56.95 incl. personal contact and failing to reach a reasonable arrangement ((g)). Utility determines eligibility using income and household size on record and asks customers who respond to notices; verification procedures go in tariffs ((e)). Medical certificate rules (other sections) not read. |
| Notice | Not set in § 56.100 itself; refers to §§ 56.91-56.95 (notice and personal contact), not read. |
| Who the rule covers | Water, electric distribution and natural gas distribution utilities subject to Subchapter E of Chapter 56 (residential public utility service); subsection (b) is the electric one. Co-ops/munis not addressed in text read. |
| Complaints | Text refers to informal complaints to the Commission and the Bureau of Consumer Services under §§ 56.161-56.165; no phone number in text read. |
Not found in the text we read: heat, payment plan; verify with the commission. Did not read §§ 56.91-56.99, medical certification sections (56.111-56.118), payment-agreement sections, or the end of § 56.100 (subsections after (g)(3)).
Paraphrase, not legal advice. Rules change; see the shutoff rules guide.
LIHEAP in Pennsylvania: money, limits, people helped
| Measure | Pennsylvania | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Funds FY2026 | $232,495,503 = $200,740,743 + $7,723,088 IIJA + $24,031,672 | FY26 table |
| Income limit | 150% of poverty guideline (how limits work: see guide) | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Benefits FY2026 | Heating: $200 minimum, $1,000 maximum Winter Crisis: $1,000 maximum | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Helped FY2024 | Heating: 302,351 Winter Crisis: 86,996 Weatherization: 608 | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Program dates | Heating: November 3 - April 10 Crisis: November 3 - April 10 Weatherization: Year-round | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
CSV
CSVPennsylvania in numbers
- Pennsylvania ranks 19th of 51 on FY26 LIHEAP dollars per household ($44), 25th on households below the poverty line (12.0%) and 15th on low-income energy burden (10.0%).
- Per household below the poverty line (628,209 of them) the FY26 funds come to $370, rank 19th of 51: 19% of a typical year's electricity ($1,951). (even split, not a payment amount)
- 347,060 households got help in FY2022 against 1,510,369 at or below 60% of state median income in the 2022 LEAD file: about 23% (mixed years).
- Average heating benefit FY2022: $610, 31% of that year.
- Heating season: November 3 - April 10. Counted FY2024: heating, winter crisis, weatherization.
- Neighbours: FY26 dollars per household run from $35 (Delaware) to $52 (New York); low-income burden from 5.7% (New Jersey) to 11.8% (West Virginia). Pennsylvania: $44 and 10.0%.
Where Pennsylvania's low-income bills bite hardest
- Highest burden: Schuylkill County 16.0% (19,471 households); Carbon County 14.8% (8,857 households); Wayne County 14.2% (6,785 households); Pike County 13.9% (6,278 households).
- Most low-income households: Philadelphia County 266,278 (9.0%); Allegheny County 151,258 (9.8%); Montgomery County 56,421 (8.8%).
67 counties.
Am I likely eligible in Pennsylvania?
Median household income in Pennsylvania is $76,081, 231% of the four-person guideline; check line 150% (2026 guideline).
How heavy is the energy bill in Pennsylvania?
10.0% of income in low-income households, 2.8% overall. Ranking, Pennsylvania prices.
| Group | Count | Pennsylvania detail | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 60% of median income | 1,510,369 households | 10.0% of income; $2,147 a year on $21,495 | rank 15 of 51 |
| All households | 5,193,727 households | 2.8%; $2,681 on $94,272 | rank 12 of 51 |
| Below poverty line | 628,209 households | 12.0% of 5,235,339 | U.S. 12.5%; rank 25 of 51 |
| Home price 2025 | 19.30 ¢/kWh | bill $163 a month at 843 kWh | U.S. 17.30 ¢, $152 |
CSV
CSVUtility and state bill programs in Pennsylvania
None listed for Pennsylvania in the snapshot of 20 Apr 2026; ask the utility.
Pennsylvania on the map
Next to Pennsylvania
Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, West Virginia. Most FY26 funds per household: New York, $52. Pennsylvania: $44. All 51.
5 steps if you get a shutoff notice in Pennsylvania
- Note the notice date.
- Call the utility (Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission sets rules).
- Call 1-866-857-7095 or 211.
- Ask about dates-based or health protection.
- Unresolved: Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, 800-692-7380.
Sources
Linked above; list on the hub.
Last verified: 2 October 2026. Not legal advice.
Questions
How do I apply for LIHEAP in Pennsylvania?
Call 1-866-857-7095. Site: https://www.dhs.pa.gov/Services/Assistance/Pages/LIHEAP.aspx
Can Pennsylvania utilities cut power in winter or summer?
dates for cold; none listed for heat.
How big is the energy burden in Pennsylvania?
10.0% of income for low-income households, 2.8% for all; $2,147 a year for the first group.
How many Pennsylvania households got energy help?
347,060 in FY2022, 302,351 heating in FY2024, average heating benefit $610.
Is LIHEAP money enough for a Pennsylvania bill?
$370 per poor household, 19% of $1,951.
How much LIHEAP money does Pennsylvania get?
$232.5 million in FY2026, $44 per household, rank 19 of 51.
What income limit does Pennsylvania use for LIHEAP?
$40,980 for three people at 150% of the guideline; median household income $76,081; FY2022 heating standard 150% for four.