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
LIHEAP windows and rules differ in every state. A team members know who runs the program in your state, when the application window opens, and how much funding is typically available before it runs out. Call (844) 572-3682 and we'll tell you exactly which office to contact.
Need help finding the right call?
A team members know which office, phone number, and program fits your situation. Free, in five minutes.