PPL to prevent utility shutoffs, reminds customers of payment help due to LIHEAP delay

The federal program that pays heating bills for more than 300,000 low-income Pennsylvania families is delayed a month due to the government shutdown, and local utilities are taking steps to assist customers.

The opening of applications for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP, has been pushed from Nov. 3 to at least Dec. 3 because federal funding has not been released to the states.

In response, PPL will start preventing utility shutoffs for low-income customers a month early, pushing the typical December start date into November.

“We know with the delay in LIHEAP — we know that’s a real vital resource for customers who need help managing their energy bills,” PPL spokesperson Dana Burns said.

PPL offers a range of assistance programs, including flexible payments, budget billing, direct financial assistance and energy efficiency resources. Customers who need assistance should start at pplelectric.com/billhelp.

Met-Ed customers can visit firstenergycorp.com/billassist to see their assistance options, including installment payment plans and budget billing. The company reported that further action to mitigate shutdown impacts is still being discussed and more details would be available later in the week.

https://www.mcall.com/2025/11/03/ppl-to-prevent-utility-shutoffs-reminds-customers-of-payment-help-due-to-liheap-delay/