Keeping your home warm in winter and cool in summer is a matter of health and safety, especially for older adults. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, helps eligible households with these costs.
What LIHEAP can help with
Depending on your state, LIHEAP may help with:
- Heating bills, paid directly to your utility or fuel supplier.
- Cooling bills, in many states, especially during heat waves.
- Energy crises, such as a shutoff notice, an empty fuel tank or a broken furnace.
- Weatherization and minor energy-related repairs, in some states.
LIHEAP benefits usually come as a one-time or seasonal payment, not a monthly benefit.
Funding for 2026
LIHEAP is funded by Congress each year. For fiscal year 2026, Congress provided about $4 billion, slightly more than the year before. Each state receives a share and decides how to run its program, so benefit amounts, application periods and rules vary.
Who qualifies
States set their own income limits within federal guidelines. Typically, households qualify if their income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty level or 60% of the state median income, whichever is higher. Some states use lower limits.
You may automatically qualify if someone in your household receives SNAP, SSI or certain other benefits. Many states give priority to households with older adults, people with disabilities or young children, because they are most at risk from extreme temperatures.
How to apply
- Find your local LIHEAP office. It is often a community action agency, your Area Agency on Aging or a county social services office. The LIHEAP Clearinghouse lists state contacts, and the National Energy Assistance Referral line can help at 1-866-674-6327.
- Check application dates. Many states open heating applications in the fall. Some accept applications all year for emergencies.
- Gather documents: proof of income for everyone in the household, recent utility bills, your account number with your energy company and identification.
- Apply early. Funding is limited and often runs out before the end of the season.
Other help with energy costs
- Utility assistance programs: many utilities offer discounts, budget billing and hardship funds.
- Weatherization Assistance Program: free energy-efficiency improvements for eligible households. See weatherization assistance.
- Charities and faith groups sometimes help with fuel or bills in an emergency.
- Energy-saving steps at home. See practical ways to lower your utility bills.
Stay safe
Never heat your home with an oven, grill or generator, and make sure you have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. If you are struggling to keep your home at a safe temperature, tell a family member, your doctor or your Area Agency on Aging. See getting ready for cold weather.
