How the LIHEAP Energy Assistance Program works — A guide to getting help with your utility bills
LIHEAP is the federal government's main program for helping low-income households cover their home utility costs. It runs in every state, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, and many tribal areas, and the money is paid straight to your utility company or fuel supplier. Most states run it under the LIHEAP name, but you may see it called something else where you live, such as HEAP, EAP, the Fuel Assistance Program, or a state's own title. This page explains what LIHEAP does, who tends to qualify, and how to find the program and apply where you live.
One key point to always keep in mind: you do not need an unpaid bill or a shutoff notice to apply. LIHEAP helps with current and upcoming energy costs, not only overdue ones. Funding is limited and runs out during the year, so households that apply early in their state's season have the best chance of being helped before the money is gone.
- SCAM WARNING: The LIHEAP program is often targeted by scammers, especially close to when applications open. The program is free to apply too, the program does not pay you directly, and it is run by state agencies or other reputable social service / community action agencies. See more details below that expand on common LIHEAP scams and what to be on the lookout for.
The two kinds of help — Regular and Crisis
LIHEAP has two parts. The regular benefit is a once-a-year payment toward your ongoing heating or cooling costs, applied directly to your account. The crisis benefit is for emergencies — service already shut off, a disconnection notice with a shutoff coming soon, or a delivered fuel tank running low — and it moves on a much faster timeline, often within a day or two once eligibility is confirmed.
You do not apply to crisis help separately; your situation triggers it when you apply for LIHEAP. If you are facing a shutoff, say so the moment you contact your local agency, because it changes how quickly your case is handled. By federal rule, every state keeps crisis assistance available through at least the middle of March. We have a dedicated page about the emergency component and see the guide to the crisis LIHEAP program.
What LIHEAP can pay for
The regular benefit most often goes toward winter heating, but coverage is broader than many people expect. Depending on the state and the season, LIHEAP can help with electricity, natural gas, heating oil, propane, kerosene, wood, and other fuels. Many states also run a summer cooling benefit, which matters most for older adults and people with medical conditions during a heat wave.
Beyond the bill itself, LIHEAP funds can sometimes cover a utility deposit, a reconnection fee to restore service, or the repair or replacement of a broken furnace or heating system. Some states also fold in weatherization, free home improvements that permanently lower how much energy your home uses. In many states, getting LIHEAP makes you automatically eligible for it.
Who can qualify
Eligibility is based on household income, not on whether you own or rent. Both homeowners and renters can apply, and if your energy costs are bundled into your rent, you may still qualify. Most states set the income limit at either 150% of the federal poverty level or 60% of the state's median income, adjusted for household size, and a state can choose to set its limit lower. The exact dollar figures change each year and differ by state, so your state's page and local agency are the place to confirm where your household falls.
If someone in your home already receives SSI, SNAP, TANF, or certain other benefits, your household may qualify automatically through what is called categorical eligibility, with no separate income review. Priority usually goes to the households most at risk — seniors, people with disabilities, and families with young children — so note it clearly if that describes your home.
How to find and apply for LIHEAP in your state
LIHEAP is run locally, usually through a community action agency or a county social services office, and the federal government does not take applications itself. How you apply depends on where you live — some areas use an online form, others take applications by phone, in person, or by appointment.
The quickest way to reach the right office is to start with your state below, which covers that state's specific rules, contacts, and application steps. You can also call the National Energy Assistance Referral line at 1-866-674-6327, a free service that connects you to your local LIHEAP office, or use the federal locator as well as the official federal overview on the LIHEAP page at https://liheapch.acf.gov/search-tool/.
Apply for LIHEAP by state
Choose your state for its LIHEAP rules, income limits, contacts, and how to apply — along with the weatherization program and any state-run discounts that go with it.
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
Washington DC
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Avoiding LIHEAP scams
LIHEAP is free, which is the simplest way to spot fraud. Every fall, as applications open, fake "award" or "pre-approval" notices go out by mail, text, and social media, telling people they have been selected for energy help and asking for a fee or bank account details to claim it. LIHEAP has no pre-approval process, charges no fee, and never sends payments to you directly — the benefit goes to your utility company. If you get a message like this, do not respond to it. Check your real application status by calling your local agency or the referral line at 1-866-674-6327, and report the attempt to the FTC at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/.
Community forum
The LIHEAP program can be combined with other forms of support. This is why useful, local feedback from real people may also be beneficial to accessing utility assistance. To find other options, in addition to LIHEAP or to even discuss the program itself, see the LIHEAP moderated community forum where you can read real life experiences, ask questions, and may find valuable information.
This page is a general, plain-English guide to how LIHEAP works nationally. It is not legal or financial advice, and benefit amounts, income limits, application dates, and rules are set each year and vary by state — confirm the current details with your state's agency or local community action office before you apply.
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