Pennsylvania Offering Money for Utility Bills, Mortgage, Housing Expenses; PGW is Urging its Eligible Customers to Apply
Posted on: Apr 02, 2024The Pennsylvania Homeowner Assistance Fund is now available for homeowners facing pandemic-related financial hardship.
(PHILADELPHIA-APRIL 2, 2024) The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency has reopened the Pennsylvania Homeowner Assistance Fund (PAHAF) to homeowners struggling due to pandemic-related financial hardships. The fund has paid approximately $52 million to Philadelphia residents since launching in 2022.
PAHAF provides financial assistance to eligible homeowners for mortgage and housing-related expenses to address delinquency and avoid default, foreclosure, or eviction but had been paused since February 2023 to allow PHFA to focus on a backlog of applicants. The maximum amount of assistance for any homeowner is $50,000 with as much as $10,000 of assistance that can be directly applied to a customer’s PGW utility bills.
Pennsylvania was awarded $350 million for the administration of the program and the disbursement of funds as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. An estimated $50 million remains for eligible new applicants for pandemic-related mortgage reinstatement, forward mortgage assistance, tax assistance and delinquent utility bills.
An application does not guarantee funding, but homeowners can find out eligibility requirements and how to apply by visiting www.pahaf.org, or calling 888-987-2423, Monday Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
LIHEAP FUNDS STILL AVAILABLE THROUGH APRIL 5
There is also still time for PGW customers to apply for a Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) grant. Income eligible PGW customers may apply for a grant of up to $1,000 in free money toward their winter heating bills. PGW encourages both renters and homeowners to apply before the April 5, 2024 deadline.
There are several ways to apply for LIHEAP:
Download a LIHEAP application at pgworks.com/liheap or visit a Neighborhood Energy Center for in-person guidance and payment assistance counseling. A list of Neighborhood Energy Centers can be found here.
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