LIHEAP Emergency Help for Heating Breakdowns in Pennsylvania
The LIHEAP Emergency Services Program, formerly known as the LIHEAP Crisis Interface Program, pays for emergency heating repairs and replacements for Pennsylvania households with low incomes. The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Center for Residential Reinvestment Programs runs it together with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), and local weatherization agencies do the work in the home.
It is for households facing a heating emergency, which DHS defines as having no heat or being in imminent danger of losing heat. DHS counts these situations as emergencies:
- Broken heating equipment or leaking lines that must be fixed or replaced
- Lack of fuel
- The main heating source or second heating source has been completely shut off
- Danger of being without fuel, meaning less than a 15 day supply, or of having utility service terminated, meaning you received a notice that service will be shut off within the next 60 days
Your local County Assistance Office (CAO) decides whether you qualify, using income limits set by DHS. The page does not print the income figures.
The primary services are heating system repair, replacement of a heating system that cannot be repaired, repair or replacement of broken gas or fuel lines, repair of a hot water heating system, and heating system pipe thawing. Secondary services can be added on top of a primary service: loan of a temporary auxiliary heater, repair of broken windows, and provision of blankets. How much is spent varies with the type of heating emergency and the scope of repairs needed, as judged by the local weatherization agency's assessment.
To apply, contact your local County Assistance Office. The CAO will assess your income and heating situation. If you are eligible, DHS will either take steps to resolve the problem directly or refer your household to the local weatherization agency for an in-home evaluation and service.
This emergency assistance is typically available from November through March, so it is a cold-weather program rather than a year-round one. DCED's general-questions number is 866.466.3972. The department also posts a LIHEAP Emergency Services FAQ at dced.pa.gov covering how to tell if you qualify, what counts as a heating emergency, how long the application takes and what repairs or equipment replacements may be covered.
Source: dced.pa.gov/housing-and-development/weatherization/pennsy…, read September 18, 2026.
The details
In Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s words
The PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Center for Residential Reinvestment Programs works with DHS to administer the LIHEAP Emergency Services Program (formerly known as the LIHEAP Crisis Interface Program). This emergency assistance is typically available from November through March to households facing a heating emergency, which DHS defines as having no heat or being in imminent danger of losing heat. Local weatherization agencies work with DHS and DCED to provide the…
Organization
Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development
About this listing
This listing summarizes publicly available information from dced.pa.gov/housing-and-development/weatherization/pennsy…. Last recorded review: September 18, 2026. Contact the provider to confirm eligibility, hours and availability before you go. If something here is wrong, tell us.