PUC, DHS are committed to making it easier for families in need to access utilities

Oct. 25—WILKES-BARRE — The Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission (PUC) reminded low-income families and individuals this week that a new option is available to help them stay connected to essential utilities.

This option would make it easier for households receiving federal heating assistance to qualify for additional utility assistance programs.

Consumers receiving Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) grants will now have the option to ask the Department of Human Services (DHS) to share information about their application with utilities to help with eligibility and enrollment, making it a direct connection and simplification access to other utility programs that can lower monthly bills and increase energy savings.

In the 2024-25 LIHEAP season, data sharing will only apply to electricity and natural gas suppliers.

“By simplifying the registration process for utility energy assistance, it’s easier for eligible customers to access the full range of support available to them,” said Stephen M. DeFrank, Chairman of the PUC. “This process will provide more Pennsylvania families with the resources they need to maintain vital public services.”

How LIHEAP data sharing will work

Beginning this year, LIHEAP applicants will have the option to select a box on their LIHEAP application that allows DHS to share income and household data directly with the utility selected to receive a LIHEAP grant.

Information will only be provided if the client is determined to be eligible for LIHEAP. This information will help utilities enroll eligible customers in their other assistance programs without requiring re-documentation if the customer consents.

Assistance programs available through utilities include:

—Customer Assistance Programs (CAP) — lower monthly utility bills and debt relief for income-eligible households.

— Weathering programs — improving energy efficiency to reduce energy consumption.

—Hardship Funds — Grants to help customers pay past-due electric bills.

Key features of LIHEAP data exchange:

Sharing LIHEAP data is optional and does not affect a household’s eligibility for a LIHEAP grant.

The information sent to the utility will include names and ages of household members, income, and utility account information, which will be used only to determine eligibility for the utility’s assistance programs.

Utilities and DHS are required to protect the confidentiality of household data, which will not be sold or used for any purpose other than determining eligibility for utility assistance programs.

Consumers who do not want their household data shared with utilities can simply uncheck the box in the LIHEAP program.

Expanding access and reducing barriers

The new data sharing feature builds on the long-standing relationship between DHS and utilities regarding LIHEAP. Currently, the new data sharing feature is only available between DHS and Pennsylvania’s electric and natural gas utilities.

The goal of LIHEAP data sharing is to significantly reduce barriers for households seeking utility assistance by allowing them to bypass duplicative documentation processes and expedite eligibility and enrollment in utility programs that may provide relief.

“Assistance programs like LIHEAP and individualized programs offered by utilities help individuals and families get the support that helps keep their homes warm and energy connected—essential to human health, well-being and safety.” , said DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkush. . “We understand that connecting to each of these programs can be confusing, and that decentralization can leave an individual unaware of the full range of resources available to them. This data sharing partnership will help alleviate some of these barriers and help eligible Pennsylvanians connect to services with greater ease.”

The 2024-2025 LIHEAP application season officially opens on November 4.

More information about LIHEAP is available online, or Pennsylvania residents can visit their county assistance office or call the LIHEAP hotline at 1-866-857-7095. Information about utility assistance programs can be obtained by contacting your local utility services or CCP.

The Senate Judiciary Committee is advancing a bill to protect pets in cases of domestic violence

The Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Sen. Lisa Baker (D-20), passed legislation this week that would provide additional protections for victims of domestic violence and their pets.

House Bill 1210 gives judges express authority to award temporary custody of a companion animal under a Protection from Cruelty Order (PFA).

“For many survivors, pets are an important part of their support system,” Baker said. “When a victim feels compelled to give up their pet to escape abuse, they often lose an important source of emotional support during the recovery process. By protecting these animals, we help survivors make decisions that focus on their welfare and well-being. – to be your loved ones – both people and animals.”

Wyoming County District Attorney Joseph Peters expressed support for the law.

“My office recognizes and faces the consequences that Pennsylvania is one of the few states that does not allow companion animals to be included in PFA orders,” Peters said. “Perpetrators often use pets as leverage to torment their victims, threatening to harm or kill the animal if the victim leaves.”

If passed, Pennsylvania would join 38 states and the District of Columbia in recognizing the importance of including pets in protection laws. It now goes to the full Senate for consideration.

PA encourages seniors and people with disabilities to apply for property tax/rent rebates

This week, Treasurer Stacey Garrity encouraged seniors and people with disabilities to apply as soon as possible for Pennsylvania’s Property Tax/Rental Rebate (PTRR) program. The deadline is December 31.

“This year’s property tax/rental rebate program is a huge success,” Garrity said. “We have already made over 503,000 payments totaling over $305 million. This money can make a huge difference, especially for Pennsylvanians who are struggling to make ends meet, and thanks to the great work of the General Assembly and the governor to expand the program, more people are eligible than ever before, I encourage everyone who qualifies to apply as soon as possible.”

The Property Tax/Rent Abatement Program is for Pennsylvania residents age 65 and older, widowers and widowers age 50 and older, and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The family income limit for rebates is $45,000 for both homeowners and renters. Applicants can exclude half of their income from Social Security. The maximum standard deduction is $1,000.

To date, the Treasury has processed 504,748 property tax/rent rebate payments totaling $306,761,115. Of these, 279,426 (55.4 percent) were paid through direct deposit. The rest were paper checks delivered via the US Postal Service.

State announces $10 million pilot program to expand affordable housing options

Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Seeger this week announced the launch of a new $10 million PA mixed-use housing development pilot program to develop mixed-use projects with a residential component.

DCED began accepting applications for grant funding from October 23 through December 6, 2024.

Governor Josh Shapiro recently signed an executive order mandating Pennsylvania’s first Comprehensive Housing Action Plan to address the state’s housing shortage, homelessness and affordable housing opportunities — ensuring Pennsylvanians have access to safe, affordable housing and attracting more people to residence in the Commonwealth. DCED was charged with leading the development of the plan and working with stakeholders across Pennsylvania to identify housing needs and develop a strategic response.

“Pennsylvania’s mixed-use housing pilot program is a major first step toward increasing the availability of affordable housing, increasing housing for our growing workforce, and providing critical support to Pennsylvanians struggling to afford housing,” said Secretary Seeger. “These and other programs developed as part of Governor Shapiro’s Housing Action Plan will improve access to safe, affordable housing, which is essential to Pennsylvania’s economic growth and critical to the well-being of families and individuals across the Commonwealth.”

The pilot program will provide grant funding to eligible applicants to develop a site for a mixed-use building, and to convert or renovate existing structures for a mixed-use development.

Part of the project should be devoted to the development of residential premises both for rent and for private housing.

The $10 million PA Mixed-Use Housing Development Pilot Program came from dedicated PA SITES funding.

Eligible applicants include municipalities; economic development organizations; redevelopment bodies; municipal authorities; industrial development agencies; and commercial organizations.

Congressman Watro is sponsoring the Veterans Day resolution

A resolution authored by Congressman Dane Watro (D-116) to recognize November 11 as Veterans Day in Pennsylvania passed unanimously this week in the PA House.

“Veterans Day is a time to remember the service of the brave men and women who answered our country’s call, those who did not return from the battlefield, those who returned with the scars of war, and all who wore the uniform. and protected our freedoms and our way of life as Americans,” Vatro said. “As a veteran of the United States Army, I am proud to be the lead sponsor of House Resolution 544.”

Veterans Day is a federal holiday and was originally known as Armistice Day to commemorate the end of World War I at 11:11 a.m. on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.

In 1954, Congress renamed Armistice Day Veterans Day.

Contact Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.