LIHEAP: A Complete Guide
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program covers heating, cooling, and weatherization. Here's how to apply.
What LIHEAP does
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally-funded program that helps low-income households afford home energy bills. It can pay your heating bill in winter, your cooling bill in summer, and even cover emergency situations like a shutoff notice or a broken furnace.
Three types of help
- Heating assistance — Pays toward your winter heating bills (gas, electric, oil, propane).
- Cooling assistance — Helps with summer cooling, especially critical in hot southern states.
- Crisis assistance — Emergency funds when you face a shutoff or run out of fuel.
- Weatherization — Free home insulation, sealing, and efficiency upgrades to reduce future bills.
Who qualifies
Income limits vary by state but typically must be at or below either 150% of the federal poverty level or 60% of the state median income, whichever is greater. Many seniors and people with disabilities qualify automatically.
For a family of 4 in 2026, that's roughly $48,225/year.
How to apply
LIHEAP is administered by states, tribes, and territories. Each one has its own portal:
- Visit acf.hhs.gov/ocs/programs/liheap — federal LIHEAP page.
- Click your state to find your local agency.
- Apply online, by mail, or in person.
Funds are first-come, first-served and run out fast — apply at the start of the season (October for heating, May for cooling).
A note from us
We can help connect you with your state's LIHEAP office and walk you through the application. Apply for assistance and we'll help.
Need help applying?
We can walk you through the process, gather paperwork, and follow up with your state agency. Free.