Monroe County households struggling with heating costs can apply for cash grants of $200 to $1,000 through Pennsylvania's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

The application window opened Monday, Nov. 2, and runs through April 23, 2027, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. The grant is a one-time payment sent directly to a household's utility provider or fuel company and does not need to be repaid.

Hoa Pham, deputy secretary for the Office of Income Maintenance at the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, told WFMZ the department is expecting record numbers of applicants. She said the cost of living has skyrocketed, particularly the cost of fuel and utilities.

Pham said the program opened on time this year. She said last year's rollout was delayed by what she called "a really unprecedented federal government shutdown" that prevented the state from providing relief as early as it wanted.

Grant amounts depend on household size, income and fuel type. Both renters and homeowners qualify. Applicants do not need to be enrolled in another public assistance program or have unpaid heating bills.

Income limits

The state sets maximum annual income by household size. A single person can earn up to $23,940. A family of four can earn up to $49,500. For a household of eight, the cap is $83,580. Each additional person adds $8,520 to the limit.

How to apply

Residents have two options. They can apply online through COMPASS, the state's benefits portal. They can also print a paper application and return it to the Monroe County Assistance Office at 1972 W. Main St., Suite 101, in Stroudsburg. That office is open 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be reached at 570-424-3030 or at 570-424-3517 for LIHEAP questions.

Applicants must reapply every year, even if they received benefits last season.

Crisis grants for emergencies

Households facing a heating emergency may qualify for additional crisis benefits. The state lists qualifying situations: broken heating equipment, lack of fuel, a shut-off main heating source, less than a 15-day fuel supply, or danger of utility service being terminated.

Eligible applicants receive crisis benefits within 10 business days, or sooner for life-threatening situations. Households can receive more than one crisis benefit per season, according to WFMZ.

The Monroe County Redevelopment Authority assists LIHEAP-approved households with emergency heating system repairs and replacements. Residents experiencing a heating emergency can call the authority's crisis hotline at 866-410-2093. The authority does not process LIHEAP applications directly but provides services after approval.

After applying, residents can track their application status at trackmybenefits.pa.gov.