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LIHEAP at a glance
| Component | What it does |
|---|---|
| Heating assistance | Help with winter heating bills or fuel deliveries (oil, propane, wood, electric, gas) |
| Cooling assistance | Help with summer electric bills or air conditioners in some states |
| Crisis assistance | Emergency help for shutoff notices, disconnections, empty fuel tanks, or broken heating equipment |
| Weatherization and energy repairs | Some states use part of LIHEAP for weatherization or furnace repair |
LIHEAP is a block grant: each state (and many tribes and territories) designs its own program, dates, benefit levels, and application process.
Who qualifies
- Income: state-set limits between 110% and 150% of the federal poverty guidelines or up to 60% of state median income
- Categorical eligibility: many states automatically qualify households receiving SNAP, SSI, TANF, or certain veterans benefits
- Renters: often eligible, including some whose utilities are included in rent
- Priority: states must target households with the highest energy burdens and those with older adults, young children, or people with disabilities
How to apply
- Find your local office: search the LIHEAP Clearinghouse, call 866-674-6327 (National Energy Assistance Referral), or call 211.
- Check when applications open. Many states open heating assistance in the fall, often earlier for older adults and people with disabilities. Crisis help is usually available year-round while funds last.
- Gather documents:
- ID for household members and Social Security numbers (as required)
- Proof of income for the past 30 days or year (varies by state)
- Recent utility bills and account numbers
- Shutoff or disconnection notice, if any
- Lease showing utilities included in rent, if applicable
- Apply online, by mail, by phone, or in person.
- Follow up and tell your utility you’ve applied—many will hold a disconnection while an application is pending.
Other ways to lower energy bills
- Payment plans: utilities often offer deferred payment agreements to spread past-due balances over months.
- Budget billing: equalizes monthly bills across the year.
- Discount rates: many states require income-qualified discount rates or percentage-of-income payment plans (PIPPs).
- Arrearage management programs: forgive part of past-due balances when you make on-time payments.
- Hardship funds run by utilities and charities.
- Weatherization: free energy upgrades lower bills long term. See weatherization.
- Energy-saving steps: seal drafts, adjust thermostats, service heating equipment, and use efficient lighting.
Shutoff protections
Many states limit disconnections during cold or hot weather, when someone in the home has a serious medical condition (with a doctor’s certificate), or for older adults and households with infants. See utility shutoff protections.
If you’re a renter
- If your landlord pays utilities and stops paying, many states require the utility to notify tenants and let them keep service. See illegal lockouts and utility shutoffs.
- If you pay utilities in subsidized housing, you receive a utility allowance; if costs change significantly, ask your housing agency about its utility allowance schedule.
Avoid scams
Utilities don’t demand payment by gift card, cryptocurrency, or payment app, and LIHEAP never charges an application fee. If someone threatens immediate shutoff unless you pay a stranger, hang up and call the number on your bill.
Frequently asked questions
Who qualifies for LIHEAP?
States set the income limit within federal rules: generally no higher than 150% of the federal poverty guidelines or 60% of state median income (whichever is higher), and no lower than 110% of the poverty guidelines. Households receiving SNAP, SSI, TANF, or certain veterans benefits may qualify automatically. Renters whose heat is included in rent may also qualify in many states.
Is LIHEAP still funded in 2026?
LIHEAP is administered through state, territorial, and tribal grantees. A national funding announcement does not mean your local office has funds available today. Check your administering office’s current application season, crisis process, and remaining funds. A budget proposal alone does not close your local program.
How fast can I get help if my power is being shut off?
Federal crisis rules require some form of assistance to resolve an eligible household’s energy crisis within 48 hours after application, or 18 hours for a life-threatening crisis. This is not a promise of cash or full bill payment. Local crisis definitions and application requirements matter; tell the office about a shutoff or health risk immediately.
Do I have to pay LIHEAP back?
No. LIHEAP is a grant, usually paid directly to your utility or fuel vendor.
What if LIHEAP funds run out?
Ask about utility hardship funds, charity programs (such as those run by Salvation Army or local community action agencies), payment plans, and state shutoff protections. Some states add their own energy assistance funds.
Sources and verification
Use these sources to check program rules. Funding, openings, and local procedures must be confirmed with the agency handling your application.
Update note (2026-10-01): Clarified LIHEAP crisis response timing and replaced national funding assurances with instructions for checking local availability.
- LIHEAP Primer: crisis response requirementsAdministration for Children and Families
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- LIHEAP eligibility and contactsLIHEAP Clearinghouse
- OCS announces final LIHEAP block grant funding release for FY 2026LIHEAP Clearinghouse
- Help with energy billsUSAGov
- 42 U.S.C. § 8624 — Applications and requirements (LIHEAP)Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School
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