Several federal and state programs help low-income households pay their heating, cooling, and utility bills. The largest is LIHEAP — the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program — which provides annual payments toward energy costs. The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) pays for home improvements that permanently reduce energy use. State and local programs, plus utility company assistance programs, fill gaps that federal funding does not cover. This page explains how each program works, who qualifies, and how to apply.
LIHEAP: The Federal Energy Assistance Program
LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) is a federal block grant that states use to provide direct assistance to low-income households struggling to pay energy bills. Congress funds the program annually, and the amounts states receive — and pass on to households — vary by year. Individual benefit amounts typically run from $200 to $1,000 per year, depending on the state and the household’s circumstances.
What LIHEAP Covers
LIHEAP provides two main types of help. Heating and cooling assistance is the primary benefit: a one-time or seasonal payment applied directly to your utility account or paid to your heating fuel supplier. This assistance typically comes once per year per household during the relevant season — winter heating assistance in most states, with some states also running summer cooling programs. Crisis assistance is separate: emergency funds for households facing shutoff, dangerous heating or cooling conditions, or fuel depletion. Crisis assistance is available through LIHEAP funds and through some separate emergency programs, and is often available outside of the regular benefit season.
Who Qualifies for LIHEAP
LIHEAP eligibility is based on income. Federal rules set the maximum income limit at 150% of the federal poverty level or 60% of state median income, whichever is higher — but individual states can set lower limits. In 2026, 150% of the poverty level is approximately $21,870 for a single person and $37,050 for a family of three. Households receiving SNAP, Medicaid, or SSI are often automatically eligible in states that have categorical eligibility provisions. Priority is typically given to households with the lowest incomes, elderly or disabled members, and young children.
How Benefits Are Distributed
LIHEAP benefits are not paid directly to households as cash. The program pays your utility company or heating fuel vendor directly. If you use delivered fuel — heating oil, propane, or wood — the payment goes to your supplier. If you rent and your utility costs are included in your rent, your landlord may be the payee in some arrangements. Some states distribute benefits as vendor payments that appear as credits on your utility bill; others issue vouchers. The amount received varies by state, household size, income, and in some states by the type of heating fuel used.
How to Apply for LIHEAP
Applications are handled at the state and local level — there is no single national application. The agency that administers LIHEAP varies by state and sometimes by county. Community Action Agencies (CAAs) are the most common local administrators.
Finding Your Local Agency
The fastest way to find your LIHEAP office is to call the National Energy Assistance Referral line at 1-866-674-6327, or search your state name plus “LIHEAP application” to find the official state program. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program website (liheap.org or through your state’s energy or social services department) lists contact information by state. Many areas also have a 211 helpline — call or text 211 — where operators can direct you to the nearest LIHEAP office or community action agency.
Documents Typically Needed
Applications generally require proof of identity, proof of address (a utility bill showing your address works for both purposes in many cases), proof of income for all household members, your most recent utility bill or account number, and Social Security numbers for all household members. If you use delivered fuel, you may need to provide your vendor’s name and account number. Some agencies accept applications online; others require in-person visits or mail-in applications. Processing times vary — applying at the start of the heating or cooling season, rather than waiting until a crisis, gives you more time to navigate the process.
Timing and Benefit Seasons
LIHEAP programs operate on seasonal schedules that vary by state. Heating assistance typically opens in the fall and may close when funds are exhausted — in some states, funds run out before the end of the season, so applying early matters. Summer cooling assistance programs are available in some states but not all. Crisis assistance, where available, may be accessed outside the regular benefit season for households in immediate danger. If you were denied in a previous year, check again — income circumstances change, funding levels change, and some households that did not qualify before will qualify now.
The Weatherization Assistance Program and Other Resources
Beyond bill assistance, several programs address the root cause of high energy costs: an energy-inefficient home. Weatherization improvements can permanently reduce monthly bills, which makes them more valuable than a one-time payment for households who will remain in the same home for years.
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
The Weatherization Assistance Program, administered by the Department of Energy, pays for energy efficiency improvements to the homes of low-income households. Eligible work includes insulation, air sealing, furnace tune-up or replacement, water heater replacement, and installation of LED lighting, smart thermostats, and other efficiency measures. The program serves renters as well as homeowners — but landlord permission and cooperation are required for rental properties. The average WAP investment per home runs several thousand dollars, and the energy savings are permanent. Income limits are generally 200% of the federal poverty level, though they vary by state.
Utility Company Programs
Most major utility companies — electric, natural gas, and sometimes water — operate their own low-income assistance programs separate from LIHEAP. These programs are funded through rate surcharges approved by state utility commissions and are not subject to federal funding fluctuations. Benefits may include reduced monthly rates, deferred payment arrangements for past-due balances, forgiveness of arrears for customers who maintain consistent payment, and sometimes energy efficiency upgrades. Find your utility company’s low-income program by calling the customer service number on your bill or searching your utility name plus “low income program” or “assistance.”
State and Local Energy Programs
Many states have their own energy assistance programs funded outside of LIHEAP, with their own eligibility rules and benefit amounts. Some of these programs specifically target households that fall just above LIHEAP income limits. Local nonprofits, churches, and community organizations often maintain emergency energy assistance funds as well — these can bridge the gap when LIHEAP funds are exhausted or when a household needs help faster than the LIHEAP process allows. The 211 helpline can connect you with these local resources. Local Area Agencies on Aging often know about programs specifically available to seniors that may have different income limits or faster processing.
Who This Page Is For
- Low-income households struggling to pay heating or cooling bills, especially those with elderly members, young children, or individuals with disabilities
- Renters and homeowners who have received shutoff notices or are behind on utility bills
- Anyone living in a drafty or energy-inefficient home who wants help with permanent improvements, not just a one-time payment
- People who have applied before and been told funds were exhausted — programs reopen each season
- Households that are just above the SNAP or Medicaid income limits and wonder whether energy assistance has higher thresholds
What to Do Next
- Call 211 or search your state name plus “LIHEAP application” to find your local program office and current application status
- Apply at the start of the heating or cooling season — funds in many states are exhausted before the season ends, so early applicants fare better
- Ask your utility company directly about low-income rate programs or arrearage forgiveness options — these exist at most major utilities and have no federal income limits
- If you own your home or have a cooperative landlord, ask about the Weatherization Assistance Program through the same community action agency that handles LIHEAP
- If you are a senior or have a household member with a disability, check with your local Area Agency on Aging — some states have utility assistance programs with higher income limits specifically for elderly or disabled households
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