As New Year's Day approaches, funding is available for Pennsylvanians who are struggling to pay their utility bills.

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally-funded program that helps cover the cost of heating bills for low-income homeowners and renters.

Those who are eligible, can apply for cash grants, which range from $200 to $1,000.

The grant is a one-time payment that is sent directly to utility companies.

Meanwhile, Pennsylvanians who are at jeopary of having their heating service terminated can also apply for a seperate crisis grant of up to $1,000.

"The worst thing you can do...is to take a bill, look at it, say I can't pay this bill and then put it in a drawer somewhere and forget about it," said Penelec spokesman Todd Myers. "We don't know that you need help unless you reach out to us and really terminating customers, we never want to shut off someone's power. That's the last resort."

The program is available until April, or until the federal funds run out.