PUBLIC COMMENT INVITED ON STATE’S HOME HEATING PROGRAM

 HARRISBURG, JULY 9 – The public is invited to offer their input on the state plan for the 2004-05 Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program at a hearing planned in Philadelphia next week, according to state Sen. Connie Williams.

 “Hundreds of families depend on LIHEAP each year,” Williams said. “The public hearing will give people the chance to offer their input on what changes need to be made to make the program even better.”

 The federally funded LIHEAP helps low-income households pay for a variety of home heating fuel sources and furnace repairs in the winter. In Pennsylvania it is administered by the state Department of Public Welfare.

 The hearing is slated for Tuesday, July 13 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Philadelphia County Assistance Office, LIHEAP Conference Room, 2^nd Floor, 4601 Market St., Philadelphia.

 Copies of the report are available at local Public Welfare offices and online at the Department of Public Welfare’s Web site at www.dpw.state.pa.us.

 People who want to testify are asked to register in advance by calling toll free 1-800-692-7462. Written testimony can be submitted by July 16^th to Nancy Poindexter, Director, Division of Federal Programs and Program Management, P.O. Box 2675, Harrisburg, PA 171054.