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Your Online Guide to Legal Information and Legal Services in Pennsylvania
    
 
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  Click on other tabs above for information about legal aid providers and courts in your area. Below is legal information on this sub-topic. You can localize this information by clicking on the"Choose Another Location" link in the right column and selecting the area where you live.
There are 27 resources  
  Online Applications, Benefit Screening, Resources and Forms
 
   Apply for Social Services from Pennsylvania (Separate Website)
PA Residents can apply for a variety of programs, including public assistance, food stamps, health care coverage, energy assistance and other social service programs at this site
By: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Application for Social Services (COMPASS)
  
   
   LIHEAP Benefit Amount Table (Separate Website)
Select the county where you live and the type of fuel you use to heat your home or a type you to use for additional heat. LIHEAP benefits are calculated on income, household size, the fuel type and the heating region where you live. The benefit table for your county and the type of fuel you use is displayed listing the LIHEAP benefit amount for your yearly income range and household size.
By: Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare
  
   
   Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission - Informal Complaints (Separate Website)
Information to assist consumers in resolving complaints with utility companies under the PUC?s authority.
Informal Complaint (Online Form)     PDF
By: Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
  
   
   Public Utility Commission - Formal Complaint Process [PDF] This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page. (Separate Website)
Information regarding the formal complaint process. Also see procedures for informal complaint and inquiries.
By: Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
  
   
   PUC Forms and Complaints (Separate Website)
Forms avaialable from the Public Utility Commission
By: Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
  
   
  Information from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network
 
   Utility Law and Tenants Rights
Information for tenants regarding utility service your rights under the Tenants Rights Act.
By: Northwestern Legal Services  
  
   
   What Every Utility Customer Should Know
Information for utility customers
By: Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc.
  
   
   Utilities Termination Issues
Informational Brochure consumer rights regarding utility terminations.
By: MidPenn Legal Services  

    Other Formats:   This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page. PDF File
  
   
   Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) (Separate Website)
Information on the Pennsylvania Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program that helps low income people pay their heating bills through energy assistance grants and emergency repair assistance.
By: Neighborhood Legal Services Association  
  
   
   General Utility Information (Separate Website)
Information for consumer regarding utility matters.
By: Northwestern Legal Services  
  
   
   LIHEAP FAQ's (Separate Website)
A list of frequently asked questions relating the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in Pennsylvania.
By: Northwestern Legal Services  
  
   
   Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (Separate Website)
Details concerning Pennsylvania's LIHEAP Program, eligibility guidelines, how to apply, how payments are received, etc.
By: Northwestern Legal Services  
  
   
   Pennsylvania Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (2007-08) - Part 1 (Video) (Separate Website)
Excerpt from Northwestern Legal Services' "Access to Justice" cable access television show broadcast on Erie Cablevision (Channel 2) in Erie, PA. July 2007.

The Pennsylvania Utility Law Project provides information about the PA Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for the winter year 2007-08. Part 1 provides information on the Cash Grant and Crisis Grant Programs. (13:44)

Host: Robert Oakley, Esq., NWLS Director
Guest: Harry Geller, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Utility Law Project

Click on title above to watch the program.
By: Northwestern Legal Services  
  
   
   Pennsylvania Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (2007-08) - Part 2 (Video) (Separate Website)
Excerpt from Northwestern Legal Services' "Access to Justice" cable access television show broadcast on Erie Cablevision (Channel 2) in Erie, PA. July 2007.

The Pennsylvania Utility Law Project provides information about the PA Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for the winter year 2007-08. Part 2 provides information on the Crisis Interface Program and How to Apply. (15:22)

Host: Robert Oakley, Esq., NWLS Director
Guest: Harry Geller, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Utility Law Project

Click on title above to watch the program.
By: Northwestern Legal Services  
  
   
   Billing Disputes in Philadelphia (Separate Website)
Information on dealing with billing disputes with your utility companies with a focus on Philadelphia.
By: Community Legal Services
  
   
   Low-Income Telephone Assistance Programs
Information regarding telephone assistance programs that are available to low-income individuals.
By: Northwestern Legal Services  
  
   
   Low-Income Assistance Programs (Philadelphia) (Separate Website)
Chart showing the utility assistance programs (electric, gas, & water) available to low-income Philadelphians.
By: Community Legal Services
  
   
   Preventing Shut Offs in Philadelphia (Separate Website)
Information on preventing utility shutoffs.
By: Community Legal Services
  
   
   Landlord Tenant Packet [PDF] This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.
This is a comprehensive (31 pages) self-help packet designed to assist Central Pennsylvania tenants deal with various landlord/tenant problems. PDF Format
By: MidPenn Legal Services  
  
   
   Obtaining LIHEAP in Philadelphia This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page. (Separate Website)
Information on getting energy assistance in Philadelphia.
By: Community Legal Services
  
   
  Information from Government Agencies
 
   StayWarmPA.com (Separate Website)
Web site providing Pennsylvanians easy access to information to help them cope with record energy prices this winter. The site includes links to apply for assistance programs, information about community-based resources, and weatherization and energy conservation tips.
By: Office of the Governor of Pennsylvania
  
   
   Heating Assistance/LIHEAP (Separate Website)
Information regarding the Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) program in Pennsylvania, how to apply, program dates, as well as the income limits for this program.
By: Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare
  
   
   Responsible Utility Customer Protection Act This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page. (Separate Website)
This new law changed rules that apply to cash deposits; reconnection of service; termination of service; payment arrangements; and the filing of termination complaints by consumers for electric, gas and water. This fact sheet from the PA Public Utility Commission is designed to provide you with very important information regarding how the new Act affects you and your utility service.
By: Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
  
   
   PA Utility Choice Program (Separate Website)
Pa Utility Choice Program helps to educate Pennsylvania consumers about the benefits of competition when it comes to choosing utility companies (local phone carrier, natural gas supplier and electricity supplier).
By: PA Utility Choice
  
   
   Consumer Publications from the Public Utility Commission (Separate Website)
Many publications including Electric Choice, Facts About Choosing a Natural Gas Supplier, Consumer's Guide to Choosing Local Telephone Service, FAQs for Electric and Natural Gas Customers on Limited Incomes, Worksheet for Choosing an Electric Supplier, Your Rights and Responsibilities as a Utility Consumer, and more.
By: Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
  
   
   Tips for Participating at Public Input Hearings (Separate Website)
Guide for consumers when planning to speak at public hearings.
By: Pennsylvania Office of the Consumer Advocate
  
   
   Energy Savers: Tips on Saving Eneregy and Money at Home This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page. (Separate Website)
This is a guide to easy, practical solutions for saving energy throughout your home, from the insulating system that surrounds it to the appliances and lights inside. Also available as a PDF Booklet.
By: U.S. Dept of Energy