After a monthlong delay, applications for Pennsylvanians looking for help paying their home heating bills will be accepted beginning Dec. 3.

The start of the application process for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) had been delayed since Nov. 3 because of the federal government shutdown, state Department of Human Services officials announced.

State officials said in a release Tuesday that the 2025-26 season is schedule to run from Dec. 3 through April 10.

To protect Pennsylvanians during the delay in the process, officials said, Gov. Josh Shapiro worked with the Public Utility Commission and utility providers to start the winter shutoff moratorium on Nov. 1, instead of the usual December start.

They said this meant Pennsylvanians who could not access LIHEAP in N

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