LIHEAP Additional Payments and Utility Assistance Resources

Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (PA DHS) recently announced eligible vulnerable households received an additional $100 payment through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to help pay for remaining winter heating bills or current energy bills.

PA DHS issued the $100 payments for households that both received LIHEAP during the 2025-26 season and include at least one vulnerable family member who has a disability, is age 60 or older, or is a child under the age of six. Approximately 194,000 households had their additional payment automatically issued to the same utility vendor that received their cash grant during the LIHEAP season. Households received a notice telling them that they are eligible and received an additional payment.

These additional payments were distributed directly to a household’s utility company or home heating fuel provider beginning on July 29. Eligible households receive the benefit automatically and do not need to apply.

The 2025-26 LIHEAP season ended in May and helped more than 278,000 households across Pennsylvania keep their homes heated and safe through the winter months. Details on the 2026-27 LIHEAP season will be available later this year. The additional $100 payment will not affect a household’s eligibility for the upcoming 2026-27 LIHEAP season.

Pennsylvanians who need help paying for utilities can visit PA Navigate at pa-navigate.org and enter their zip code. From there, they can search programs near them that can provide financial assistance for utilities and more resources like food, child care, housing, education, and transportation.

The Shapiro Administration provides Pennsylvanians with the tools they need to be successful – both through information and resources like PA Navigate and direct investments in individuals and communities.

Governor Shapiro recognizes the critical role that child care workers play in helping the youngest Pennsylvanians grow and ensuring parents can go to work knowing that their children are well cared for. That is why the Shapiro Administration continues to address critical workforce shortages in the 2026-27 state budget by increasing the amount of funding available for the Child Care Staff Retention and Recruitment Program by $5 million for a total of $30 million.

Created by Governor Shapiro last year, this program will provide at least $540 per employee annually to licensed Child Care Works providers, which is an increase of about $100 per employee.

These funds will sustain and build the child care workforce by ensuring that child care providers can hire new staff and show appreciation to their current staff for their hard work.

Learn more about the investments in Governor Shapiro’s 2026-27 state budget.

Share these posts on social media to spread the word about utility assistance and child care budget investments.

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Have you heard about PA Navigate? It’s a website that helps you find the support you need, all in one place. Find help now with food, utilities, child care, financial assistance and more. Enter your zip code at www.pa-navigate.org to get started today!

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Graphic on a blue gradient background with images of different types of assistance and the PA Navigate logo. PA Navigate connects Pennsylvanians with services in their local communities. Find help now with food, utilities, child care, financial assistance and more. Enter your zip code at pa-navigate.org to get started today!

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The 2026-27 Pennsylvania budget builds on Pennsylvania’s progress under Governor Shapiro with key investments, including a $5 million increase for the Child Care Staff Retention and Recruitment Program Governor Shapiro created last year, for a total of $30 million in funding, providing at least $540 per employee annually to licensed Child Care Works providers.

Learn more about Governor Shapiro’s budget: https://www.pa.gov/governor/newsroom/2026-press-releases/governor-shapiro-signs-bipartisan-2026-27-budget--securing-major

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Human Services budget win graphic on a blue gradient background with silhouettes of children. The 2026-27 Pennsylvania budget includes: $5 million increase for the Child Care Staff Retention and Recruitment Program Governor Shapiro created last year, for a total of $30 million in funding, providing at least $540 per employee annually to licensed Child Care Works providers.