1. What LIHEAP is in 2026
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is the largest federal energy bill assistance program in the United States. Established in 1981 under the Omnibus Reconciliation Act, LIHEAP has helped tens of millions of households cover heating costs across more than four decades. The program is administered federally by the Office of Community Services within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), part of the US Department of Health and Human Services. Funding flows from Congress through formula grants to states, who administer their own programs subject to federal guidelines.
In the most recent program year, LIHEAP served roughly 6 million households, distributing approximately $4 billion in heating and crisis benefits. Average annual funding has varied widely year over year, with significant supplemental appropriations during the 2022 to 2023 energy crisis and more modest baseline funding in regular years. As of May 2026, the program continues at congressional appropriation levels, though year-over-year funding amounts depend on the budget process and economic conditions. Pratfall: LIHEAP funding is not entitlement-based, meaning states cannot serve every eligible household. Funding typically runs out by late winter in higher-demand states.
LIHEAP has four major components that operate in parallel. The Regular Heating Assistance is the largest component, providing one-time or seasonal payments toward heating costs. The Heating Crisis Component handles emergency situations like imminent shut-offs, broken heating systems, or out-of-fuel deliveries. The Cooling Assistance Component (relevant in summer for certain states) helps with air conditioning costs for medically vulnerable households. And the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), administered separately through DOE but often co-applied with LIHEAP, provides long-term home efficiency upgrades.
LIHEAP is income-tested but not asset-tested for most households, meaning your savings or home equity do not disqualify you. The program covers all heating fuels: natural gas, propane, electricity, heating oil, kerosene, wood, and pellets. For households relying on heating oil specifically, see our background heating oil price entry and the related impacts of oil price shocks on household heating budgets.
2. Federal eligibility: 150 percent FPL rule
The federal floor for LIHEAP eligibility is 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Level OR 60 percent of state median income, whichever is higher. States can set more generous thresholds (and many do), but they cannot go below the federal floor. The two-track formula means the rule effectively scales with the state's cost of living.
| Household size | Annual FPL (48 states + DC) | 150 percent of FPL | Monthly equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $15,650 | $23,475 | $1,956 |
| 2 | $21,150 | $31,725 | $2,644 |
| 3 | $26,650 | $39,975 | $3,331 |
| 4 | $32,150 | $48,225 | $4,019 |
| 5 | $37,650 | $56,475 | $4,706 |
| 6 | $43,150 | $64,725 | $5,394 |
| 7 | $48,650 | $72,975 | $6,081 |
| 8 | $54,150 | $81,225 | $6,769 |
Federal Poverty Level figures are based on HHS guidelines and updated annually. Add approximately $5,500 per additional person for households over 8. Alaska and Hawaii use higher poverty thresholds. State-specific thresholds may be higher than federal floor.
The 60-percent-of-state-median-income alternative
Where state median income (SMI) is higher than the FPL-based threshold, the SMI rule applies. This matters in higher-cost states like Massachusetts, Connecticut, Hawaii, and California, where median household incomes are significantly above the national average. For a family of four in Massachusetts, for example, 60 percent of state median income may put the threshold closer to $80,000 rather than the federal-rule $48,225. The state agency calculates the higher of the two thresholds and applies that.
Categorical eligibility for SNAP, TANF, SSI recipients
Households already receiving SNAP (food stamps), TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), or SSI (Supplemental Security Income) are categorically eligible for LIHEAP in most states, meaning they do not need to re-prove income. The state agency uses existing benefit records to verify eligibility. This is the fastest path to approval if you are already in the social safety net. Pratfall: not all states implement categorical eligibility, and the rules can differ by program component. Check your state's specific rules.
Priority groups within eligible populations
States must give priority to vulnerable populations within the eligible household pool. Federal guidance specifies elderly individuals (age 60+), individuals with disabilities, and households with young children (under age 6). Many states also extend priority to households with medically fragile members or those receiving the highest-burden energy costs relative to income. The priority structure does not lower the eligibility threshold but determines processing order and benefit amount within eligible applicants. Households receiving priority typically see faster processing and higher average benefits.
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Calculate my costs3. Top-ten state portals
While federal eligibility sets the floor, the actual application happens at the state level. Each state's portal experience, document requirements, processing speed, and benefit amounts differ significantly. Here is a snapshot of the ten highest-volume LIHEAP states, ranked roughly by application volume.
New York: HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program)
New York operates one of the most comprehensive LIHEAP programs in the country, branded as HEAP. The application window typically runs November through March for regular benefit, with the Heating Crisis Component available year-round. Apply through MyBenefits.NY.gov online portal or in person at your local Department of Social Services office. Benefits range from approximately $400 to $1,200 depending on household size, income, fuel type, and emergency status. Categorical eligibility is implemented for SNAP, SSI, and TANF recipients. New York also offers a Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement (HERR) component, which funds furnace and boiler repairs up to $4,000.
Pennsylvania: LIHEAP through DHS
Pennsylvania's Department of Human Services administers LIHEAP through the COMPASS online portal. The standard program year runs November through April. Cash benefits typically range from $400 to $1,000, paid directly to the utility company or fuel vendor. The crisis component handles emergency disconnect notices, broken heating equipment, and fuel emergencies. Pennsylvania uses a tier-based benefit structure, with higher amounts going to households at lower percentages of FPL.
Massachusetts: Fuel Assistance through DHCD
Massachusetts uses the term "Fuel Assistance" rather than LIHEAP, administered through the Department of Housing and Community Development with local intake handled by 19 regional fuel assistance agencies. Benefits are among the most generous in the country, with the maximum benefit for income-eligible families reaching approximately $1,200 for the heating season. The application window opens November 1 and typically remains open through April 30. Massachusetts also stacks state-level LiHEAP supplements during periods of high energy cost volatility.
California: HEAP through CSD
California's HEAP program is administered through the Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) with local intake at over 50 community action agencies. Unlike many Northeast states, California has year-round intake rather than seasonal windows, reflecting both warmer winters and significant cooling assistance needs in summer. Average benefits are lower than the Northeast due to milder climate, typically $200 to $500 per household, but available for both heating and cooling. California also has the Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) for emergencies.
Texas: CEAP (Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program)
Texas operates LIHEAP as CEAP through the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, with local intake at community action agencies. Texas has year-round intake with significant emphasis on summer cooling assistance for medically vulnerable households. Average benefits range from $200 to $600. The state has a robust weatherization stacking strategy, with many households receiving both energy bill assistance and home efficiency upgrades through WAP.
Other states: where to start
For any state, the fastest path to find your specific LIHEAP portal is to call 211 (the United Way information hotline available in most states) or visit the LIHEAP Clearinghouse maintained by the National Energy Assistance Directors Association at neada.org. Both will direct you to your state's specific intake portal and any local community action agencies that can help with application support. Pratfall on state-level variation: the differences in benefit amount, timing, and process can be dramatic, even between neighboring states. Do not assume your state's program works like a neighbor's.
4. Heating Crisis Component (emergencies)
The Heating Crisis Component is the most underused part of LIHEAP. Many eligible households do not realize that emergency heating assistance is available year-round and outside the regular application window. Crisis benefits exist specifically to prevent service disconnection or restore heat in true emergencies.
- What qualifies as a heating crisis? Federal guidance defines a crisis as a situation that, if not resolved within 18 hours (or 48 hours in some states), would result in the loss of heat. Specific triggers include: an active disconnect notice or imminent shut-off from your utility company; an out-of-fuel situation for heating oil, propane, kerosene, or wood pellet customers (you have less than a quarter tank or no fuel at all); a broken heating system or furnace that cannot be repaired without financial help; a damaged heat pump or boiler. Most states process true emergencies within 18 to 48 hours, sometimes same-day during severe cold weather.
- How crisis benefits differ from regular LIHEAP Crisis benefits are typically delivered as an immediate intervention rather than a lump-sum payment for the heating season. The state energy office contacts your utility company or fuel vendor and arranges for emergency restoration of service or fuel delivery. The amount paid varies but is generally calibrated to the specific emergency, with regular benefits being a smaller per-occurrence amount than the season-long regular benefit. You can receive multiple crisis benefits in the same program year if you face multiple emergencies, though most states have annual aggregate caps.
- Documentation for crisis applications Crisis applications require less documentation than regular LIHEAP because of the urgency. Typically you need: identification for the primary applicant, proof of the crisis (disconnect notice, repair invoice, fuel delivery receipt showing empty), basic income verification, and Social Security numbers for household members. If you are already in the LIHEAP system from a prior regular application, the crisis application is streamlined further. Most states accept crisis applications by phone, in person at community action agencies, or through their online portal.
- What if your state's crisis program runs out of funding? Crisis funding is finite within each state's annual allocation. If your state's crisis budget has been exhausted (most common in late winter in high-demand states), you have a few options. Community action agencies often have separate emergency funds funded by private philanthropy, state-level supplemental appropriations, and faith-based community funds. Many utilities offer their own emergency assistance programs (such as Eversource Hardship, ConEd Energy Affordability, FPL Customer Assistance) independent of LIHEAP. Call 211 to identify all available resources in your area before assuming you have no options.
- Avoiding crisis: regular LIHEAP plus payment plans The best way to handle heating crises is to avoid them. Apply for regular LIHEAP early in the season (October through December), enroll in utility budget billing or level pay plans, ask about Percentage of Income Payment Plans (PIPP) in states that offer them (Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania, others), and explore arrears repayment programs that match LIHEAP payments toward outstanding balances. Households that combine these strategies typically avoid disconnection scenarios entirely.
5. Weatherization Assistance Program (long-term)
While LIHEAP pays heating bills, the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) addresses the underlying problem: inefficient homes that waste energy. WAP is administered by the US Department of Energy with funding distributed to state agencies and local subgrantees. The program funds free home efficiency upgrades for income-eligible households, with average per-home investment around $5,000 to $7,500.
Eligibility overlap with LIHEAP
WAP eligibility uses the same federal income threshold as LIHEAP: 200 percent of FPL or 60 percent of state median income, whichever is higher. Many states automatically refer LIHEAP applicants to WAP for weatherization screening. Some states co-apply both programs through a single intake. Households categorically eligible for SNAP, SSI, TANF, or LIHEAP itself are typically auto-eligible for WAP.
What WAP covers
WAP funds home energy audits and direct installation of efficiency measures. Common upgrades include: insulation (attic, wall, basement, crawl space), air sealing (weatherstripping, caulking, gaskets), window and door repair (not replacement in most cases), HVAC tuning and repair, water heater upgrades, refrigerator replacement for ENERGY STAR models in some states, and Health and Safety measures (combustion appliance safety, ventilation, carbon monoxide detectors). Some states extend WAP to cover heat pump installation when the existing system is failing, providing a bridge between LIHEAP-style bill help and IRA-funded heat pump conversion. See our IRA Heat Pump Tax Credit 25C sub-page for the IRA stack details.
Application process and timeline
WAP applications are typically handled by your local community action agency. The process involves an income verification step (typically using your LIHEAP file if you have one), a home energy audit conducted by a certified weatherization auditor (usually free), an upgrade plan developed by the auditor, contractor scheduling, installation, and post-installation verification. The full timeline from application to completed installation is often 6 to 18 months, depending on state queue length, contractor availability, and home complexity. WAP installation queues are notoriously long in some states.
Pratfall on WAP funding and scope
WAP funding is annually appropriated by Congress and can vary significantly year over year. Some states supplement federal WAP with state-level weatherization programs, others do not. The IRA also created additional weatherization-adjacent programs through HOMES Rebate and HEEHRA (covered on our IRA 25C sub-page) which can sometimes stack with traditional WAP for higher total benefit. For households serious about reducing long-term energy costs, applying for both LIHEAP (bill help) and WAP (efficiency upgrades) is the typical recommended path. Both flow through the same network of community action agencies in most states.
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