State: Pennsylvania

Funding

 

Yes or No

Comment

1

Do annual SBC dollars directly go up/down based on the level of LIHEAP dollars?

No

 

2

Do SBC benefit levels directly go up/down based on the LIHEAP benefit provided?

No

 

3

Does LIHEAP/WAP determine the allocation between program components?

No

Universal service programs created and administered by PUC.

4

Do LIHEAP benefits go up/down depending on the level of the SBC benefit.?

No

If person gets income-based rate assitance, LIHEAP goes to utility to offset amount of discount.

Oversight

1

Does LIHEAP/WAP set the size of the overall budget?

No

   

2

Does LIHEAP do the program evaluation for SBC expenditures?

No

 

3

Does the LIHEAP office audit whether utilities make correct SBC payments?

No

 

4

Does LIHEAP provide the daily staffing for SBC program administration?

No

 

5

Does LIHEAP do data collection on SBC recipients?

No

 

Administration

1

Are there explicit differences in SBC and LIHEAP eligibility?

Yes

Universal service programs limited to "payment troubled" customers

2

Are there explicit differences in the energy bill paid by SBC and LIHEAP?

Some

Universal service programs delivered by utilities, including electric utilities.

3

Does LIHEAP set the amount of the SBC benefit?

No

PUC approves universal service program for each utility.

4

Does LIHEAP/WAP promulgate SBC program rules?

No

 

5

Does LIHEAP provide the computer connection between utilities and the SBC program?

No

 

6

Is SBC administration centralized at the state level?

No

 

Outreach

1

Does receiving LIHEAP automatically enroll a consumer to receive SBC?

No

 

2

Can a household receive SBC without receiving LIHEAP?

Yes

But universal service programs assist participants in applying for LIHEAP.

3

Are there explicit differences in the target population for SBC and LIHEAP?

Yes

Universal service programs do not have LIHEAP target populations.

4

Does LIHEAP provide consumer outreach unique to the SBC program?

No

 

Delivery

1

Do all SBC recipients also receive LIHEAP?

No

 

2

All application forms for LIHEAP and SBC the same (WAP and SBC)?

No

No overlap

3

Are time periods within which consumers may apply for LIHEAP and SBC the same?

No

4

Are intake agencies identical for SBC and LIHEAP?

No

 

5

Do LIHEAP pay SBC benefits directly to the consumer or to utility on consumer's behalf?

No

 

6

Does LIHEAP provide notices of the need for periodic income recertification?

No

 

Contact Person

 

Janice Hummel
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
Bureau of Consumer Services
P.O. Box 3265
Harrisburg, PA 17105-3265
TEL: (717) 783-9088
FAX: (717) 783-5659
E-MAIL: hummel@puc.state.pa.us