Pennsylvania utilities have made commitments not to terminate service to low-income households that don’t pay heating bills during this month, the state Public Utility Commission said Tuesday.

The PUC said it welcomes the proactive commitments by utilities covering the month between the traditional start of the federal Low Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the commission’s moratorium on winter shutoffs of service starting Dec. 1.

The action results from the state Department of Human Services announcement delaying LIHEAP’s start to Dec. 3 because of the federal budget shutdown.

Monday was to have been the day to start taking LIHEAP applications for the winter 2025-26 season otherwise.

PUC commissioners made it clear the commitments are part of cooperative discussions with utilities.

“While the delayed start of LIHEAP continues to be a concern, I want to reassure families that utilities across Pennsylvania have told the PUC they have no intention of terminating service for LIHEAP-eligible customers during this current gap period,” said Commission Chair Stephen DeFrank.

“Pennsylvania’s electric and gas utilities are stepping up to help,” said Commissioner Ralph Yanora.

More than 300,000 Pennsylvanians received LIHEAP benefits last year with payments going directly to a utility or home heating provider.

Customers urged to contact utilities

DeFrank emphasized that customers in peril need to contact their utilities now about options such as heating affordability plans and payment plans.

Utilities dedicate hundreds of millions of dollars annually for Customer Assistance Programs, budget billing, weatherization and hardship funds.

While LIHEAP is federally funded, the states run the program.

Pennsylvania has not received the federal allocation — averaging more than $215 million annually — to open the program and start taking applications, officials said.

House Appropriations Majority Chair Jordan Harris, D-Philadelphia, on Monday emphasized the importance of having customers in jeopardy file with a customer assistance program to get assistance.

Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Philadelphia, said low-income residents are forced to choose among paying for food, rent, medicine and heating because of the federal shutdown.

She said state government doesn’t have the ability to backfill the missing federal LIHEAP money.