LIHEAP Heating Assistance 2026–2027: Income Limits, Benefits, and How to Apply

If heating bills are becoming hard to manage, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) may help pay part of your home energy costs or respond to an energy emergency. It is a federally funded program, but states, territories, and tribal programs set many of the practical rules: income limits, application windows, benefit calculations, and local application procedures.

There is no single national application date or fixed benefit amount for the 2026–2027 heating season. Some programs accept applications year-round; others open in stages, reserve early access for certain households, or stop taking applications when funds run out. Start with the official USA.gov guide to energy-bill assistance and the LIHEAP office search tool to find the right office for your address.

As of October 19, 2026, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) says it released about $3.6 billion — 90% of regular FY2027 block-grant funding under the current continuing-resolution law — to LIHEAP grant recipients on October 9. That federal release does not mean every local program is open or that a household will receive a benefit. Check your state or tribal program's current instructions before applying. Read the ACF funding-release notice.

Start here: Find the right program

1. Check the likely eligibility rules. Use the LIHEAP eligibility screening tool for a preliminary screen. It is not an approval or guarantee of assistance.
2. Find the office that serves your household. Use the state and territory LIHEAP office locator. Some states route applications through county offices or Community Action Agencies rather than a central state portal.
3. If you face a shutoff or have almost no heating fuel, say so immediately. Ask the local LIHEAP office specifically about crisis assistance and any expedited procedure. Do not wait for a regular application to be processed before contacting the utility or fuel provider.

You can also contact the free National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) service at 1-866-674-6327 or use the LIHEAP Clearinghouse's current help and office search page to find an application office. NEAR helps people locate where to apply; it does not determine eligibility or award benefits. Check the linked page for current referral hours and contact options.

What is LIHEAP?

LIHEAP helps eligible households manage home energy costs. Depending on the program, assistance may include a payment toward heating bills, certain electric costs, crisis intervention to prevent or respond to a loss of service, cooling help, or limited energy-related repairs. The federal program does not make ordinary household payments directly; applications go through the responsible state, territorial, or tribal program and its local providers. USA.gov explains the program and application route.

LIHEAP is separate from the Department of Energy's Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). LIHEAP is primarily short-term help with bills and energy emergencies. WAP funds eligible energy-efficiency improvements intended to lower energy use and improve health and safety. WAP has its own application route through state and local providers. See the Department of Energy's WAP overview and WAP application instructions.

Is LIHEAP accepting applications for the 2026–2027 heating season?

Some programs have already opened; others have future opening dates or have not confirmed a new season's schedule on their current public pages. Do not treat an old application calendar as proof that the 2026–2027 program is open. The LIHEAP Clearinghouse's duration table is explicitly based on planned FY2026 dates and was last updated November 25, 2025, so it should not be used as a verified FY2027 calendar. See the dated Clearinghouse table.

Examples of current official information checked on October 19, 2026:

• Connecticut: The state says applications for the 2026–2027 Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) opened September 1, 2026, and the deadline to establish eligibility is May 31, 2027. Connecticut CEAP.
• Illinois: Applications run October 1, 2026, through August 13, 2027, or until funds are exhausted. Older adults, people with disabilities, households with a child age five or younger, and certain households in immediate energy trouble have early access beginning October 1; other eligible households can begin November 1. Illinois application instructions.
• Indiana: Program Year 2027 applications opened October 1, 2026, and are scheduled to close April 30, 2027. Indiana EAP.
• Iowa: Applications opened October 1 for older adults, people with disabilities, and certain households in a housing crisis; other households can apply from November 1. The state says the period continues through April 30, 2027. Iowa HHS LIHEAP and Iowa Utilities Commission notice.
• Maine: HEAP applications opened August 3, 2026, and continue until funds are exhausted or May 29, 2027. Maine's separate Energy Crisis Intervention Program opens November 1, 2026. MaineHousing HEAP.
• Massachusetts: The state says the online HEAP/Fuel Assistance portal opens October 1 annually; the heating-benefit period is November 1 through April 30. Contact the local administering agency for this season's application details. Massachusetts HEAP.
• Minnesota: The state is accepting applications for the winter of 2026–2027, with a May 31, 2027, application deadline. Minnesota Energy Assistance.
• Missouri: The official application instructions list October 1, 2026, as the opening date for households with an older adult or person with a disability, and November 1 for other households; the regular application deadline is May 31, 2027. Missouri LIHEAP application.
• New Jersey: The FY2027 application period opened October 1, 2026, and runs through June 30, 2027, while funding is available; applications are processed first-come, first-served. New Jersey DCA announcement.
• North Dakota: Applications and eligibility are handled year-round. North Dakota has transitioned to a year-round eligibility model; the type and timing of assistance depend on the household's authorization period, program rules, and available funding. North Dakota LIHEAP.
• Pennsylvania: The state says the 2026–2027 season is scheduled to open November 2, 2026. Pennsylvania LIHEAP.
• Rhode Island: The state says the FY2027 heating assistance application period opened October 1, 2026. Rhode Island LIHEAP.
• Wyoming: The state is accepting applications for heating-bill and crisis assistance from October 1, 2026, through April 30, 2027. Wyoming LIEAP.
• District of Columbia: DOEE says FY2027 applications are scheduled to open October 20, 2026. At this research cutoff, that date is still in the future; follow the agency page for application links and any updated instructions. DC LIHEAP.
• Colorado: An official county program page says the statewide LEAP application window opens November 1, 2026, and runs through April 30. Confirm instructions and application access through Colorado LEAP; see the Larimer County 2026–2027 notice.

Some state pages publish recurring seasonal calendars without explicitly labeling them FY2027, while others have not yet posted the next application window. The directory below distinguishes confirmed season-specific dates from recurring or unconfirmed schedules and links to the best official route found. Contact the listed program before relying on a past year's dates.

Who qualifies for LIHEAP in 2026–2027?

Eligibility generally depends on household income, household size, state rules, and the type of help requested. A program may also consider heating expenses, energy burden, household members who are older or have disabilities, fuel type, an active or threatened shutoff, and whether funds remain.

Low income alone does not guarantee approval. States may use different rules for regular heating benefits, crisis help, cooling assistance, or energy-related repairs. They may also prioritize households with the greatest energy need or offer earlier application access to specific groups.

Some households already receiving TANF, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), SNAP, or certain veterans' benefits may meet a category used in the federal LIHEAP statute. If you receive SSI, you can also review our guide to 2027 SSI payment amounts for related income and benefit context. This does not mean that every recipient is automatically approved in every state. The agency still needs to apply the applicable program rules and may require an application and supporting documents. Read the federal LIHEAP statute, 42 U.S.C. § 8624.

What are the LIHEAP income limits?

There is no single dollar income limit that applies to every state and household. Federal law sets boundaries for state LIHEAP income standards: generally, a state may set an eligibility ceiling at the greater of 150% of the federal poverty guideline (FPG) or 60% of state median income (SMI). A state may not exclude a household solely based on income if income is below 110% of the poverty level, although it can prioritize households with the highest energy costs or needs relative to income. The statute also contains a separate route for households receiving certain listed public benefits. For more on SNAP-related eligibility rules, see our SNAP work requirements guide. See 42 U.S.C. § 8624(b)(2).

For a concrete reference point only, the 2026 HHS poverty guideline for a four-person household in the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C., is $33,000. That equals $49,500 at 150% and $36,300 at 110%. These figures are not a nationwide LIHEAP income chart: a state's chosen threshold may be based on 60% of SMI if that is higher, and household definitions, income-counting rules, and eligibility for particular program components can differ. Alaska and Hawaii have different poverty guideline figures. See HHS's 2026 poverty guideline information.

For FY2027, ACF issued guidance on updated FPG and SMI estimates that was optional for FY2026 and mandatory for FY2027. Do not build your eligibility estimate from an old federal poverty chart or a limit listed for a different program year. Read the FY2027 FPG/SMI guidance and then check the state's current income chart.

How much heating assistance can you receive?

LIHEAP does not pay everyone the same amount, and an award may cover only part of the household's energy costs. A local program may calculate assistance using household income and size, heating source, energy costs, dwelling type, or a state benefit schedule. Programs may pay a utility or fuel vendor directly rather than sending money to the household.

For illustration, Connecticut reports benefit amounts of $355–$705 for the 2026–2027 season, depending on the household and heating circumstances. Pennsylvania's public LIHEAP page lists cash grants of $200–$1,000 for its upcoming season. These are jurisdiction-specific amounts, not national guarantees; each state can change its benefit structure, and eligibility and payment depend on its rules and funding. Connecticut CEAP · Pennsylvania LIHEAP.

Depending on the jurisdiction, LIHEAP may help with:

• Regular heating bills, including eligible natural gas, electricity, heating oil, propane, wood, or other home-heating fuels.
• Certain electricity costs and cooling bills where those program components are offered.
• Crisis situations such as an imminent shutoff, a completed disconnection, or critically low delivered fuel.
• Heating-system repair or replacement, but only where the local program specifically offers and funds it.

Not every program offers all of these services. Do not assume that LIHEAP will pay the whole bill, clear all past-due balances, or cover every fuel or repair expense. If you need help with an urgent shortfall beyond energy costs, see our guide to emergency financial assistance.

LIHEAP application information by state

Checked for this guide on October 19, 2026. Dates below are reported only where current official information was located. “Not confirmed” means this research did not verify a current FY2027 opening or closing date on an official statewide page; it does not mean the program is closed. When a state-specific direct application page was not verified, use the federal LIHEAP office locator to find the agency serving your county and ask for its current schedule.

U.S. territories: Use the same federal LIHEAP office search tool and select the territory to locate its administering agency. Do not assume a state’s season dates apply to Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, or the Northern Mariana Islands.

Tribal LIHEAP: Tribal governments and tribal organizations may administer separate LIHEAP programs. The correct office can depend on tribal program boundaries, service areas, and agreements with state or local providers. Start with the Clearinghouse's tribal LIHEAP directory and program information; if you are unsure which office covers you, the eligibility screening tool specifically advises some American Indian and Alaska Native applicants to contact both tribal and local offices.

Can renters qualify for LIHEAP?

Yes. Renters may qualify in many jurisdictions, as can homeowners. The details depend on the local program and how heating costs are paid. Some programs may require documented energy expenses, a utility bill, a lease, or a landlord statement. Others have specific calculations for renters in subsidized housing or for households whose utilities are included in rent. These are not uniform nationwide rules. The Clearinghouse's renter and subsidized-housing comparison shows that treatment differs by state.

What if utilities are included in rent?

Do not assume that included utilities automatically disqualify you — or that they automatically make you eligible. Ask the agency whether it accepts a lease, rent receipt, utility allowance statement, or landlord verification in place of a bill in your name. If utilities are bundled into rent, explain that clearly before completing the application so the agency can tell you how it defines energy costs and calculates a possible benefit.

You may not need to be the utility account holder in every jurisdiction, but the rule depends on the local program. Be prepared to provide your service address and explain who receives and pays the utility bill.

Can LIHEAP help with propane, heating oil, wood, or other delivered fuel?

Possibly. Many programs recognize delivered fuels, but supported fuel types and payment procedures vary. If you use propane, oil, wood, pellets, or another delivered fuel, ask whether the provider must be approved, whether the program pays the vendor directly, and what is required if your tank is nearly empty. Do not wait until the fuel is gone to request help.

What documents should you prepare?

Exact requirements differ by state and by crisis status, so follow the current checklist from your local agency. Commonly requested items include:

• Identification and contact details for the applicant and household members.
• Names and information about people living in the home; the program may ask for Social Security numbers or acceptable alternate identifiers.
• Proof of income for the period the program uses, such as pay stubs, benefit statements, pension information, unemployment records, or self-employment documents.
• A recent utility bill, account statement, service address, account number, or fuel-vendor information.
• A lease, rent receipt, or landlord/tenant verification if housing or energy costs are included in rent.
• A shutoff notice, disconnection date, medical or other crisis documentation, or proof of low delivered-fuel supply if you are seeking emergency help.
• Any forms of identity, residency, household composition, or immigration status that the particular program requires.

Do not assume every item above will be required. The ACF LIHEAP brochure lists common examples, while state offices provide controlling instructions for their own programs.

How to apply for LIHEAP

1. Find the right intake office. Use your state’s official program page or the LIHEAP office locator. In some states, applications are handled by county agencies or nonprofit Community Action Agencies.
2. Confirm the season and application route. Ask whether you can apply online, by mail, by phone, or in person, and whether there is a priority or early-access window for your household type.
3. Prepare the required records. Check the agency’s current checklist. If you have a shutoff notice or a heating emergency, submit it and tell the office directly rather than waiting for a routine appointment.
4. Submit and save proof. Keep a copy of the application, supporting records, submission receipt, confirmation number, and names or dates from calls.
5. Respond quickly to follow-up requests. Missing paperwork can delay a decision or result in a denial. If you are denied, ask for the written reason and information about any appeal or review process.
6. Keep paying what you can and stay in touch with the provider. Filing an application does not automatically stop shutoff action, pay the bill, or guarantee approval. Continue to communicate with the utility or fuel vendor while you wait.

What to do if your heat is about to be shut off

If you have a shutoff notice, no heat, or nearly empty heating-fuel storage, treat it as a separate urgent problem — not simply a regular application.

1. Call your utility or fuel provider now. Tell them about the notice or fuel situation and ask about a payment arrangement, hardship program, medical protections, or a hold while assistance is pending.
2. Call your local LIHEAP office and clearly state the emergency. Ask whether the program has crisis assistance, expedited intake, emergency fuel delivery, reconnection aid, or an escalation route.
3. Ask what proof and deadlines apply. Give the exact shutoff date or fuel level and confirm whether the agency needs the notice, account number, provider details, or medical documentation.
4. Check your state's utility-disconnection rules. The LIHEAP Clearinghouse disconnection-policy resource, updated July 20, 2026, summarizes state protections and links to regulators. Rules may depend on temperature, age, disability, medical risk, utility type, and the provider's regulatory status.
5. Follow up through both offices. Get a case or confirmation number when available and verify with the utility whether any arrangement is actually in effect.

Crisis definitions and response times vary. An application for ordinary heating assistance may not be processed quickly enough to prevent a shutoff. Some states have seasonal protections, but these restrictions generally do not erase the debt and may not cover every utility or fuel supplier. Do not assume a protection applies until the utility or regulator confirms it.

NEAR can help locate the correct LIHEAP office at 1-866-674-6327. You can also use the LIHEAP Clearinghouse's current help and office search page. NEAR is a referral service — not an emergency-response agency or benefit approver. If the household faces a dangerous loss of heat, take immediate steps to reach the utility, local LIHEAP program, and appropriate local emergency or social services.

Does LIHEAP pay for furnace repair or replacement?

Sometimes, but not everywhere. Federal law permits LIHEAP grant recipients to use some funds for low-cost residential weatherization and other cost-effective energy-related home repairs, within statutory spending limits. Each state, territory, or tribal program decides whether it funds repair or replacement of heating equipment and which situations qualify. A furnace repair may be handled through a crisis component, a repair program, weatherization, or a different local resource.

When calling, ask specifically whether help is available for a broken or unsafe primary heating system, and whether the program pays the contractor, requires an inspection, or restricts which equipment can be repaired. A regular bill-payment award does not necessarily cover equipment work. See the federal program-components summary and the Department of Energy's separate WAP program.

What if you do not qualify or need more help?

Try the following routes while checking LIHEAP eligibility or waiting for a decision:

• Ask the utility or fuel company about a payment plan, budget billing, low-income rate, hardship fund, or charitable customer-assistance program. Availability differs by company and state.
• Contact 211 or a local Community Action Agency for referrals to state, local, charitable, and utility-funded resources.
• Use the LIHEAP Clearinghouse state profiles to look for other utility and charitable assistance in your area.
• Apply separately for Weatherization Assistance Program services if insulation, air sealing, or eligible energy-efficiency work could lower future bills. Start with the DOE state and local WAP application instructions.
• If denied, ask the LIHEAP office for the written reason, whether you may appeal, and whether your information can be reviewed for another component or local program.

Be alert for scams. Use official state, local-government, utility, or recognized nonprofit contact information. Be suspicious of unsolicited messages promising guaranteed LIHEAP approval or demanding a fee to submit an application. Do not give Social Security numbers, banking details, or account credentials to an unverified intermediary.

Frequently asked questions

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