Support RHLS spacer Contact Us spacer Hoome spacer
   
pagetop
left  
The Pennsylvania Utility Law Project (PULP)
About RHLS spacer Development Services spacer Housing Law Project spacer PA Utility Law Project PULP spacer The HEMAP Help Center
   
Highlighted Projects
Managing Your Utility Bills
PA Low-Income Utility Assistance Programs
News & Recent Developments
PULP Staff
Contact PULP
Links to Utility Resources

Highlighted Projects

PULP is currently engaged in numerous consumer-focused activities, including those listed below. If you would like further information about any of these matters, we welcome you to contact us.

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) 2009-2010

Each year, the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DPW) administers the LIHEAP program, a federally funded program that helps low-income clients to heat their residence over the cold weather months. PULP and many others submitted testimony and comments regarding the Proposed State Plan for Fiscal Year 2010, initially developed by DPW.

The Final State Plan contains numerous modifications to the LIHEAP program for Fiscal Year 2010, including changes in opening and closing dates, income eligibility limits, and minimum/maximum benefit amounts.

The Program as it is now proposed:

  • CASH component will run from November 2, 2009 – April 2, 2010
  • CRISIS component will run from January 4, 2010 – April 2, 2010
    • A household may receive only one crisis benefit during the program year
  • Income eligibility is set at 150% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines
  • Minimum CASH benefit - $100
  • Maximum CASH benefit - $1,000
  • Minimum CRISIS benefit - $25
  • Maximum CRISIS benefit - $400
  • Renters who pay for heat indirectly for their residence as an undesignated part of rent will receive 50 percent of the LIHEAP cash benefit for which they would otherwise qualify.
  • The pilot Oil Discount Program, successfully completed last year in Blair, Clearfield, Columbia and Wayne counties, will be expanded to Lackawanna, Luzerne, Montour, Northumberland, and Wyoming counties during the 2009-2010 heating season.

 

Although the LIHEAP program is not presently scheduled to open until November 2, DPW began mailing applications the week of October 5 to households that received a benefit last year. PLEASE NOTE:  Because the income limit last year (2008-2009) was higher, eligibility last year does not guarantee eligibility this year (2009-2010).

Information about LIHEAP can be obtained by referring to the DPW Web site, or by contacting PULP, your local county assistance office, or your utility company.

Chapter 56 Rulemaking Process

Chapter 56 of Title 52 of the Pennsylvania Code contains regulations governing how regulated public utility companies conduct residential billing. Chapter 56 has been a model of progressive utility regulation for more than a decade, with states from across the country using it to shape their own regulations.

PULP is representing the interests of low-income, residential utility customers in current proceedings (Docket No. L-00060182) that are aimed at modifying and improving Chapter 56 regulations.

Universal Service Programs Funding Rulemaking

Pennsylvania law requires public utilities to operate universal service programs to help low-income and lower income Pennsylvanians access and maintain essential utility service.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, at Dockets No. M-00072036 and No. L-00070186, is currently amending its policies and rules for how these programs are funded and for how they will be designed and operated by utilities. PULP is representing the interests of low-income, residential utility customers in this proceeding.

Energy Legislation & Chapter 14

On December 14, 2004, Governor Rendell signed into law Chapter 14 of the Public Utility Code, known as the “Responsible Utility Customer Protection Act.” This law, frequently called “Chapter 14,” has had significant, unintended negative effects, including:

  • increased termination levels for low-income families
  • increased numbers of families going into the winter months without a safe heating source
  • increased difficulty for families who have lost utility service to be able to afford restoration of this service

PULP works continually to educate the public and policymakers about the negative impacts of Chapter 14, and advocates ways to improve the law.

   
   
About RHLS | Development Services | PA Housing Law Project (HLP) |
PA Utility Law Project (PULP) | The HEMAP Help Center | Support RHLS | Contact Us | Home
  right
pageBottom
 
Site design by Neptune Moon Design.