Rising electric, gas, and heating costs can turn a normal bill into a crisis. The federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) exists specifically to keep households from losing essential heating or cooling because they can’t afford to pay.
This guide walks through what LIHEAP is, who qualifies, how much help you can get, and exactly how to apply—using only official U.S. government resources.
What Is LIHEAP?
LIHEAP is a federal block grant program run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Community Services (OCS). It sends federal funds to states, U.S. territories, and tribes, which then run local programs to help eligible households with home energy costs.
The program can be used to:
- Lower home energy bills (heating and cooling)
- Address energy crises (like shutoff notices or lack of fuel)
- Provide weatherization services
- Cover minor energy-related home repairs
Official program overview (HHS/ACF):
https://acf.gov/ocs/programs/liheap
What LIHEAP Can Help Pay For
While the exact benefits vary by state, LIHEAP funds can generally be used for:
1. Regular Home Energy Bills
LIHEAP can help pay for home heating or cooling costs, including electricity, natural gas, propane, heating oil, wood, or other fuels, depending on your state program.
Common uses include:
- A one-time credit on your electric or gas bill
- Help with fuel deliveries (oil, propane, pellets, wood)
- Seasonal assistance during heating or cooling seasons
2. Energy Crisis Assistance
If you are in an energy crisis, some LIHEAP funds are reserved to stop or prevent shutoffs, or to restore service when it has already been disconnected.
- You received a disconnect notice from your utility
- Your fuel tank is nearly empty
- Your service has already been shut off
States can use crisis funds to issue emergency payments directly to your utility or fuel vendor so you can keep or restore service.
3. Weatherization and Minor Energy-Related Repairs
LIHEAP can also be used to help with basic weatherization and energy-related home repairs, especially when tied to keeping your home safely heated or cooled
- Insulation or air sealing
- Repair or replacement of unsafe or inoperable heating/cooling equipment
- Other small fixes that reduce energy usage or address health and safety risks
In many states, LIHEAP is coordinated with the Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) to provide deeper efficiency upgrades and long-term bill savings.
Official overview of help with energy bills, LIHEAP, and WAP (USAGov):
https://www.usa.gov/help-with-energy-bills
Official WAP and energy-efficiency programs overview:
https://www.usa.gov/weatherization-energy-programs
Who Is Eligible for LIHEAP?
Eligibility is set by each state, territory, or tribe, but must follow federal rules in the law (42 U.S.C. § 8624).
Federal Income Guidelines
Under federal law, LIHEAP income limits must fall within these ranges:
- A household can generally qualify if income is no more than the greater of:
- 150% of the federal poverty level (FPL) for that state, or
- 60% of the state median income (SMI)
- A state cannot set an income limit below 110% of the federal poverty level
States can choose where to set their exact cutoff within that federal window, and they may adopt adjustments such as counting certain expenses or using prior-year income, as long as they remain within federal rules.
Official legal text (LIHEAP eligibility provisions):
https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title42/chapter94&edition=prelim
Federal poverty and SMI guidance for LIHEAP grantees:
https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ocs/policy-guidance/liheap-im-2024-02-federal-poverty-guidelines-and-state-median-income-estimates
Priority Households
The law requires states to design their LIHEAP plans so that assistance is targeted to households with the greatest energy needs, often including:
- Households with older adults
- Households with individuals with disabilities
- Households with young children
- Households with a high “energy burden” (large share of income going to energy costs)
States often give extra priority to these groups when funding is limited.
Households Already on Other Benefit Programs
The LIHEAP statute allows states to treat certain households as eligible when anyone in the household receives benefits from programs such as:
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Certain veterans’ pension programs
Your state LIHEAP office can tell you whether they use this “categorical eligibility” option.
How LIHEAP Benefits Are Delivered
Payments Usually Go Directly to Your Utility or Fuel Vendor
Most LIHEAP benefits are not paid in cash to you. Instead, the program:
- Sends a credit directly to your electric or gas company, or
- Pays your fuel vendor (oil, propane, wood, etc.)
- In some cases where utilities are included in rent, a payment may be issued in another approved way under state rules
Benefit Amounts Vary by State
Each state sets its own benefit formula, which can consider:
- Household income
- Household size
- Type of heating fuel
- Region/climate
- Actual energy bills or estimated energy costs
Some states offer:
- A fixed benefit by income band
- A percentage of the bill up to a maximum
- Extra benefit amounts for crisis situations or extremely high energy costs
How LIHEAP Works With Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
LIHEAP and the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) are separate federal programs that often work together:
- LIHEAP: focuses on paying bills, addressing crises, and basic repairs
- WAP: focuses on deep energy-efficiency upgrades, such as insulation, sealing leaks, and improving heating and cooling systems
USAGov explains both in one place and can route you to your state offices:
Help with energy bills (LIHEAP & WAP overview):
https://www.usa.gov/help-with-energy-bills
Weatherization and energy efficiency programs:
https://www.usa.gov/weatherization-energy-programs
National Tools to Check Your Eligibility and Find Local Offices
Because LIHEAP is run by states, the fastest way to get help is to contact your local LIHEAP office. These official tools can help you find it:
1. USAGov – Help With Energy Bills
USAGov provides a national page on LIHEAP, WAP, and other energy assistance:
- Explains LIHEAP in plain language
- Links to a tool where you can answer a few questions and be routed to your state LIHEAP office and application options
- Covers what to do if your utilities are already disconnected
USAGov help with energy bills page:
https://www.usa.gov/help-with-energy-bills
2. Benefits.gov / USAGov LIHEAP Page
Benefits.gov routes you to the same official LIHEAP content and tools hosted on USAGov. From there you can: benefits.gov
- Check general eligibility
- Find your state or territory’s LIHEAP office
- Learn whether you can apply online, by mail, or in person
Official LIHEAP benefit description:
https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/623
Note: This Benefits.gov entry redirects to USAGov’s LIHEAP information page, which is also an official .gov resource.
3. LIHEAP Clearinghouse Tools (HHS/ACF)
HHS maintains a LIHEAP Clearinghouse with detailed program information for each state, territory, and tribe, including an online eligibility tool.
- LIHEAP Eligibility Tool (check if you might qualify):
https://liheapch.acf.hhs.gov/eligibility-tool - State LIHEAP Profiles (example – California):
https://liheapch.acf.hhs.gov/profiles/California.htm
You can navigate from the state profile to contact information and application details for your area.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for LIHEAP
Because each state runs its own LIHEAP program, exact steps differ. In general, you can follow this roadmap:
Step 1: Confirm You Likely Qualify
Use these official tools:
- USAGov LIHEAP page:
https://www.usa.gov/help-with-energy-bills - LIHEAP Eligibility Tool:
https://liheapch.acf.hhs.gov/eligibility-tool
These tools will walk you through basic questions about:
- Household size
- Income
- Type of home energy (electric/gas/oil/propane/other)
- Whether you’re in an energy crisis (shutoff notice, empty fuel tank, etc.)
Step 2: Find Your Local LIHEAP Office
From the same official pages, look up your state or territory LIHEAP office. There you’ll find:
- Phone numbers
- Website links
- Application instructions (online portal, printable forms, or in-person sites)
In some states you can apply online; in others you may need to contact a local community action agency or county office.
Step 3: Gather Required Documents
Typical documents your local LIHEAP agency may request include:
- Photo ID for the applicant
- Social Security numbers or other acceptable IDs for household members (where required)
- Proof of income for the last 30 days or longer (pay stubs, Social Security award letters, unemployment, etc.)
- Most recent utility bills or fuel invoices
- Lease or proof of residence, especially if utilities are included in rent
Always check your state LIHEAP website or call your local office for an exact list before you apply.
Step 4: Submit Your Application
Based on your state’s process, you may:
- Apply online through a state portal
- Submit a paper application by mail
- Apply in person at a local community agency or LIHEAP office
If you are facing a shutoff or have already lost service, tell the office immediately—many states have crisis procedures to expedite your case.
Step 5: Follow Up and Watch Your Utility Bill
After your application is reviewed:
- If approved, you will typically see a credit on your utility bill or have a payment sent directly to your fuel vendor
- In crisis situations, your local LIHEAP provider may call the utility with a pledge to stop a shutoff while the payment is processed
Processing times and benefit amounts vary. If you have not heard back in the timeframe your local office gave you, it’s appropriate to call and ask for an update.
Frequently Asked Questions About LIHEAP
Do renters qualify, or is LIHEAP only for homeowners?
Renters and homeowners can both qualify as long as they meet income and other eligibility rules. If your utilities are in your name, LIHEAP can often pay the provider directly. If utilities are included in your rent, some states can still help, but the rules vary—ask your local LIHEAP office.
Can LIHEAP help if my utilities are already shut off?
Yes. In many states, LIHEAP sets aside crisis funds specifically for situations where a household is facing shutoff or has already lost service. You may need to provide your shutoff notice or a recent bill showing disconnection.
Can I get LIHEAP if I already get SNAP, SSI, or TANF?
Yes, and in many places that may help your case. Federal law allows states to treat households as eligible when someone in the home receives SNAP, SSI, TANF, or certain veterans’ benefits, although each state decides whether and how to use that option.
Is LIHEAP a one-time benefit or ongoing?
Most LIHEAP assistance is seasonal or one-time per year, but states can design multiple benefit components—such as a main heating benefit plus crisis assistance—depending on funding and state policy.