Harrisburg, PA – Today, Governor Josh Shapiro announced his Administration, in coordination with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC), has secured commitments from utility companies operating in the Commonwealth that they will not turn off heat or electricity in November for LIHEAP-eligible Pennsylvanians impacted by the federal government shutdown.
This commitment will protect Pennsylvanians who receive home-heating assistance from the federal government and bridge the gap until the regular moratorium on utility shutoffs begins in December. The start of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has been delayed due to the federal shutdown and Republican inaction in Washington, D.C.
Last week, Governor Shapiro signed a declaration of disaster emergency to give the Commonwealth additional tools to respond to the federal shutdown. In that declaration, the Governor warned that as the federal shutdown continues into the winter months, Pennsylvanians would face growing hardship from the loss of essential federal support, such as LIHEAP — and now, his Administration is acting to address those very challenges.
“My Administration is once again stepping up to protect Pennsylvanians from the federal government’s inaction,” said Governor Shapiro. “Republicans in Washington have been unable to reopen the federal government, leading to real consequences here in Pennsylvania for those who rely on federal assistance to keep their homes warm and safe during the winter months. Last week I signed a disaster declaration so that Pennsylvanians don’t suffer because Congress can’t do its job. My Administration reached out to Pennsylvania’s utility companies and got them to agree to keep the power on for our neighbors so that people are not stranded in the cold as winter comes. My Administration will continue to protect the people of Pennsylvania and ensure our seniors and families can keep their home safe and warm this winter.”
In a recent letter to the CEOs of Pennsylvania’s heat-related utilities, the five PUC Commissioners called on companies to be flexible with Pennsylvanians who rely on the federally-funded LIHEAP benefits as colder weather approaches. The Shapiro Administration worked with the PUC and the leadership of these utility companies to take proactive steps to keep the lights and heat on for 300,000 Pennsylvania families who rely on LIHEAP every year.
“We know many Pennsylvanians are struggling to make ends meet, and keeping families safe, warm, and connected requires all of us working together — from state agencies and utilities to the communities we serve,” said PUC Chairman Steve DeFrank. “We’re grateful for Governor Shapiro’s leadership and hands-on engagement with these critical issues. Together, we’re showing that Pennsylvania can lead the nation by turning collaboration into action — working side by side to protect consumers and strengthen the essential services that support every household.”
“Protecting Pennsylvanians is paramount,” said PUC Commissioner Katie Zerfuss. “We appreciate Governor Shapiro’s strong leadership and swift action to bring us all together to meet the needs of our most vulnerable households. This public-private partnership delivers what Pennsylvanians deserve.”
“For the first time in decades, economically vulnerable families across Pennsylvania are facing winter without assistance through LIHEAP. The impact will be profound — especially for seniors, individuals with a disability, and families with young children who are disproportionately reliant on assistance through the program to heat their homes. We are grateful for the commitment of Pennsylvania's electric and gas utilities to stop termination of economically vulnerable households, and we applaud the leadership of Governor Shapiro and the PUC to ensure these protections are in place,” said Elizabeth R. Marx, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project and Chair of the LIHEAP Advisory Committee. “It is important to remember that Pennsylvania families who heat with deliverable fuels, like oil and propane, and those served by electric cooperatives or municipal electric utilities remain at risk, and we urge all home energy providers to take the similar actions this month to help ensure all Pennsylvanians are safe and warm in their homes this winter."
On October 22, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) announced the delayed opening of the 2025 LIHEAP season until December 3, 2025, due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. The season was previously scheduled to open on November 3, 2025.
"The Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) serves the largest population of low-income customers in the Commonwealth with natural gas to heat their homes,” said Seth Shapiro, President and CEO of PGW. “For nearly 50 years, because of LIHEAP, families have had the support they need to fuel their homes safely without worrying about unaffordable energy bills or their service being interrupted. We applaud the exceptional leadership of the Governor and the City of Philadelphia under the direction of Mayor Cherelle Parker in protecting hardworking families and seniors this winter.”
“This is a difficult time for many of our customers, especially when vital assistance programs face delays. We're supporting eligible residential customers with flexible arrangements, energy-saving resources, and helping to connect them to bill assistance programs to avoid disconnection,” said John Hawkins, President of FirstEnergy Pennsylvania. “If you’re struggling with your electric bill, please reach out to our customer service team as soon as you can. We’re here to support you.”
“During this and every period of uncertainty, Duquesne Light Company remains steadfast in our commitment to customers. We understand the financial pressures that many households are facing as they navigate the shifting availability of resources,” said Kevin Walker, President and CEO of Duquesne Light Holdings Inc. “That’s why we offer flexible payment options, extended service protections for eligible customers, and are increasing proactive communication so that customers are aware of their options. Together, we’ll keep our communities powered and moving forward.”
LIHEAP is a federally funded program administered by DHS where benefits are distributed directly to a household’s utility company or home heating fuel provider on behalf of qualified Pennsylvanians who need help paying their home heating bills during winter months. On average, Pennsylvania receives more than $215 million every year for LIHEAP — in 2023, the Commonwealth received $216 million and in 2024, $229 million. Pennsylvania cannot backfill these costs.
Once the federal shutdown ends and DHS receives the funding needed to begin the LIHEAP season, DHS will start accepting LIHEAP applications. DHS will continue to process already-received preseason applications for LIHEAP and other benefits during the shutdown. In both cases, payments are on hold until federal funding is released to Pennsylvania.
Many electric and gas companies also offer utility assistance programs for qualifying customers, and these programs are available in addition to LIHEAP. Additionally, Pennsylvania's annual winter utility shutoff moratorium runs from December 1 through March 31 and prevents utilities – including electricity and gas-related services – from being shut off for customers of regulated utility companies at or below 250 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. While this moratorium will prevent utility shutoffs during the coldest months of the year, it does not cancel a customer’s outstanding home heating bills, so LIHEAP funding is still necessary for individuals who need home heating assistance.
For immediate needs during the shutdown, Pennsylvanians can use PA Navigate pa-navigate.org to help find resources. Local help is also available by calling 211 or visiting pa211.org.
For more information about the federal government shutdown and its effects on Pennsylvania, visit pa.gov.
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