HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf says Pennsylvanians struggling to pay home heating bills will now have until April 7 to apply for financial help through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

The federally funded program was slated to end Friday, but the Wolf administration extended the program, giving people extra time to apply for funding.

LIHEAP offers assistance in the form of cash grants sent directly to the utility company or a crisis grant for households in immediate danger of being without heat. Some households are eligible for both types of assistance. Cash grants are based on household income, family size, type of heating fuel and region. In addition to proof of income and household size, applicants must provide a recent bill or a statement from their fuel dealer verifying their customer status and the type of fuel used.

Individuals can apply for a LIHEAP grant online at www.compass.state.pa.us or in person at their local county assistance office. They may also call the statewide toll-free hotline at (866) 857-7095 with questions about the program.

For more information about LIHEAP, visit www.dhs.pa.gov.