Winter Resources

Electric Service Payment Assistance

Winter months often increase energy usage, resulting in higher utility bills burdening many households. If you’re experiencing problems with your electric service payments, 211 can connect you to financial assistance programs. Programs like Customer Assistance Program (CAP) and Customer Assistance and Referral Evaluation Service (CARES) may help you maintain your utility services.

Additionally, the services can help identify eligibility for programs like the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Dollar Energy Fund. These programs are designed to prevent service shut-offs and help you manage your energy costs, ensuring your home remains warm and safe. Find out more about the available options to help ease the burden of electric bill payments this winter.

Extreme Cold Warming Centers

During periods of extreme cold (including declared Code Blue periods), staying outside or in an unheated home can be life-threatening. Warming centers provide a safe, heated space for individuals and families to escape the cold. Most centers are there for anyone to use during extreme winter conditions. Stranded motorists, directed or brought by State and Local police, can use the centers to stay warm while coordinating vehicle towing or snow removal, with phone charging stations also available in many shelters. 

Residents who have lost heat due to utility shut-offs are welcome to seek warmth at the center, ensuring they have a safe place to stay during the cold. People who are unhoused can find refuge from the snow and freezing temperatures, offering them a warm and secure environment during severe weather. If you or someone you know needs a warm place to stay during dangerously cold weather, 211 can help you find the nearest warming center.

Extreme Weather Shelters

Similar to Extreme Cold Warmer Centers, these shelters provide temporary accommodation, food, and essential services. This can include any extreme weather events that prompt a PA State Declaration of Emergency. 211 can guide you to the closest extreme weather shelters in your area, ensuring you and your family can stay safe when the weather becomes hazardous. 

Flu Shots

Staying healthy during the winter is essential, and one of the best ways to protect yourself and your loved ones is by getting a flu shot. Flu vaccines are widely available through clinics, pharmacies, and community organizations, often at low or no cost. 211 can help you locate nearby flu shot providers so you can stay protected against seasonal illnesses and avoid complications that could make the winter months even more challenging.

Heating Fuel Payment Assistance

211 can connect residents with programs that provide financial help for heating fuel expenses. These services are designed to assist low-income households in covering the cost of heating oil, propane, and other fuel sources, especially during the colder months. Assistance is available through multiple programs, including LIHEAP, the Dollar Energy Fund, and other local resources, ensuring that families stay warm and safe throughout the winter.

Visit each partner page for specific eligibility requirements and details on assistance. These programs can help cover the cost of fuel delivery or offer discounts to ensure you and your family have the heat you need to get through the winter safely.

Home Delivered Meals

These services support individuals who are homebound due to age, disability, or illness, providing nutritious meals delivered right to their door. These programs are essential for those unable to shop or prepare meals, ensuring access to regular, balanced nutrition. Services may offer daily, weekly, or bi-weekly deliveries, with many programs also conducting wellness checks to ensure the safety and well-being of recipients. These services help maintain independence and improve the quality of life for individuals at risk of isolation or malnutrition.

Eligibility typically includes seniors, people with disabilities, and those with limited mobility. Some programs cater to specific dietary needs, ensuring meals align with health conditions like diabetes or heart disease.

Snow Shoveling

Clearing snow from walkways and driveways is essential for safety, but it can be daunting for many individuals, particularly seniors or those with physical limitations. 211 can help you find local programs offering snow shoveling assistance to keep your home accessible and safe during the winter months. Whether you need help or know someone who could use a hand, we can connect you to the right resources.

Winter Clothing

Winter Clothing assistance programs connect individuals and families with resources to access warm winter gear such as coats, hats, gloves, and other cold-weather essentials. These programs ensure that individuals facing financial hardships or homelessness can stay warm and phttps://www.pa211.org/get-help/food/home-delivered-meals/rotected during the colder months. Many of these services are provided by local organizations, shelters, and community centers, offering donated or discounted clothing. This vital support helps protect people from cold-related health risks during winter.

Ways to Give Back This Winter

If you want to make a difference in your community this winter, 211 can connect you with local volunteer opportunities. There are many ways to contribute, from donating cold-weather clothing to delivering meals or shoveling snow. Volunteering helps others stay safe and supported during the colder months, strengthens community bonds, and spreads warmth in more ways than one. Reach out to one of our community partners today.