MORE THAN $450,000
AWARDED TO
32ND LEGISLATIVE
DISTRICT FOR PARK
IMPROVEMENT
PROJECTS
State funding totaling a combined
$454,410 was awarded to Verona
Borough, Penn Hills and Plum Borough
for park beautification projects,
announced state Rep. Tony DeLuca,
D-Allegheny.
DeLuca said the funding was
awarded by the Commonwealth
Financing Authority and funded
through the Greenways, Trails and
Recreation Program.
“Enhancing public places like parks
is key to continuing the beautification
efforts here in the 32nd Legislative
District,” DeLuca said. “The substantial
funding awarded today will be reflected
in our park areas in the near future, and
I’m excited to see residents enjoying the
enhancements for years to come.”
DeLuca said Verona Borough was
awarded $200,000 for the construction
of a new pavilion at Cribb’s Field. The
project will include the demolition of the
existing pavilion and the construction of
a new one. DeLuca said the new pavilion
will include concessions, restrooms and
ADA access from the pavilion to the road.
Penn Hills was granted $104,410 for
upgrades to Penn Hills Park. DeLuca
said the funding will be used to replace
the Maple and Red Oak pavilions,
which have drainage, roof and concrete
issues. DeLuca said the project will
increase pavilion capacity and include
prefabricated, all-steel basic gable
end shelters.
Plum Borough received $150,000 for
the rehabilitation of Logan’s Ferry Park.
DeLuca said the project will focus on a
new play area, as well as improvements
to an existing parking area and
basketball court.
The CFA was established in 2004 as an
independent agency of the Department of
Community and Economic Development
to administer Pennsylvania’s economic
stimulus packages.
LOW INCOME HOME
ENERGY ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM NOW OPEN
Peoples Introduces Confidential
On-Line Eligibility Tool
Timed with the opening of the
2019-2020 Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Peoples
has introduced an on-line eligibility
tool to help fixed- and limited-income
customers find assistance with winter
heating bills. After confidentially
entering household income information,
Peoples’ ProgramFinder can connect
customers to LIHEAP and other
programs for which they may qualify.
LIHEAP is a federally funded
grant program administered by the
Pennsylvania Department of Human
Services (DHS) that helps income-
eligible families pay winter heating costs.
Grants are also available for residents
without heat or in danger of being
without heat. For the 2019-2020 winter
heating season, the minimum LIHEAP
grant is $200. LIHEAP is applied
directly to a customer’s utility bill.
LIHEAP Crisis grants are also available
to customers who have fallen behind on
their utility bills and can provide up to
$600 in additional assistance.
Customers who qualify for LIHEAP
can also benefit from Peoples’ Customer
Assistance Program (CAP), which can
provide lower monthly bills year-round,
and for other grants and programs. In
addition to the online ProgramFinder
found at Peoples-Gas.com/Help , callers
to Peoples’ toll-free number, 1-800-400-
WARM (9276), can learn more about
available programs and apply for CAP
during the call.
Eligibility guidelines for LIHEAP
change, and customers who may not have
been eligible last year are encouraged
to reapply. The income eligibility limit
for the 2019-2020 LIHEAP is 150% of
the federal poverty income guidelines.
This means individuals with an annual
income of up to $18,735 are eligible. A
family of four can earn an annual income
of up to $38,625. Other programs, such
as CAP and the Dollar Energy Fund,
offer assistance at up to 200% of the
federal level.
LIHEAP funds are limited, so Peoples
urges eligible homeowners and renters
to apply as soon as possible. LIHEAP
closes on April 10, 2020, or earlier if
funds run out. Customers can also apply
for LIHEAP through the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania Access to Social Service
(COMPASS) website at compass.state.
pa.us. To apply, the customer must
provide the following information:
1. Names of all people in the
household
2. Birth dates for all people in the
household
3. Social Security numbers for all
members of the household
4. Proof of income for all members of
the household
5. A copy of a recent heating bill
Continued on next page >
PENN HILLS
❘
WINTER 2019
5