Trump suggests nixing LIHEAP program again

President Donald Trump has proposed eliminating LIHEAP from the next federal budget, which Pennsylvania relies on to fund its program each year. The White House has called the program unnecessary and said that because many states ban utility shutoffs for low-income households during the winter, LIHEAP payments are effectively passed to utility companies.

But Congress is not likely to approve the cut, as the program generally has bipartisan support. Trump’s last budget proposal in 2025 also aimed to cut LIHEAP money, but lawmakers voted to fund the program anyway.

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine who chairs the Senate’s Appropriations Committee, released a statement criticizing the President’s latest budget proposal, calling LIHEAP “worthwhile.”

What does LIHEAP cover?

Pennsylvania’s LIHEAP program provides grants to households earning below 150% of the federal poverty level to help pay their winter heating bills. This year, the income limit is $23,940 for an individual and $49,500 for a family of four.

LIHEAP money can also be used to pay down utility debt, reverse utility shutoffs or fund repairs to broken heaters.

LIHEAP provides two types of grants — “cash” and “crisis” — and households can apply for both.

Cash grants of $200 to $1,000 are sent directly to utility companies or fuel providers and appear as a credit on recipients’ bills. Households don’t need to be behind on their bills to receive cash grants.

Crisis grants of $25 to $1,000 can be used to avoid utility shutoffs or repair broken heating equipment. These are reserved for households at immediate risk of losing heat.

How to apply for LIHEAP in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania accepts LIHEAP applications online through COMPASS, the state benefits portal.

You can also apply in person through county assistance offices and, in Philadelphia, through the network of neighborhood energy centers.

You’ll need proof of income and a recent bill from your primary heating source.

The state runs a LIHEAP phone helpline at 1-866-857-7095.

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New Jersey flaunts the bright yellow goldfinch as its state bird. Delaware has its Blue Hen.

The red cardinal, the overachiever of all state birds, is claimed by Virginia and six other states.

And Pennsylvania? Well, it’s the only U.S. state without a designated state bird. But that could soon change.

About 100 years after the General Federation of Women’s Clubs petitioned states to designate state birds — and flowers — the Keystone state could finally get its own designated bird — or, sort of.

State lawmakers have introduced legislation to assign the scarlet tanager as the state’s official “migratory bird.”

The colorful songbird makes its way from South America to Pennsylvania to breed in the state’s forests.

“Does that mean we’re in a situation where we still don’t have a state bird?” said David Toews, a biology professor at Pennsylvania State University who has researched song birds.

Pennsylvanians claimed the ruffed grouse as the state’s official “game bird.” Bird enthusiasts say they are happy about adding a “migratory bird.”

“There’s a lot of love for the grouse. There’s a long history of conservation and hunting culture in Pennsylvania. It’s the sort of logo of the Game Commission,” Toews said. “I don’t think anyone wants to knock the grouse off its pedestal, but if there’s room for two, I would say the scarlet tanager is an absolutely wonderful bird, deserving to be a pair for Pennsylvania.”

What is a scarlet tanager?

Each spring, scarlet tanagers travel from South America to the eastern United States and parts of Canada to breed, before migrating back in early fall.

An estimated 13% of the breeding population of scarlet tanagers is found in Pennsylvania, mostly in the state’s large forests. In the Philadelphia region, they can be found in Wissahickon Valley Park and Pennypack Park.