LIHEAP: How Families Can Get Help Paying Heating and Cooling Bills

5 min read · Last updated July 23, 2026

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Key takeaways:

LIHEAP is the federal program that helps families pay heating and cooling bills. Many states set the cutoff around 150% of the poverty line, which is roughly $49,500 a year for a family of four in 2026.
If you already get SNAP, TANF, or SSI, you likely qualify for LIHEAP automatically in most states.
You do not apply to the federal government. You apply through your state or local energy assistance office, which you can find at energyhelp.us or by calling 1-866-674-6327.
LIHEAP also has a crisis component that can stop a shutoff, and many families never use it because they do not know it exists.

Priya Nair heats a two-bedroom house in Columbus, Ohio, on one paycheck, with two kids in elementary school. Last January her gas bill hit $312 in a single month. Every fall now she fills out one application for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), the federal program that helps lower-income households cover energy costs, and a payment goes straight to her utility company before the coldest months arrive.

LIHEAP is run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and passed down to every state, which is why you apply locally, not through Washington. You can read the federal overview on the HHS Administration for Children and Families LIHEAP page.

Most families who qualify for LIHEAP never apply, usually because they assume it is only for people with no income at all.

What LIHEAP Actually Pays For

LIHEAP is not a single check. It covers several kinds of help, and which ones your state offers can vary:

– Heating assistance. A payment toward your winter heating bill, usually sent directly to your gas, electric, oil, or propane provider. – Cooling assistance. In hot-climate states, help with summer electric bills for air conditioning. This matters for families with young kids, who are more vulnerable to heat. – Crisis or emergency assistance. Faster help when you have a shutoff notice, a nearly empty fuel tank, or a broken furnace. This is the part most people miss. – Weatherization. Some LIHEAP dollars pay to seal drafts, add insulation, or repair a failing heating system so your bills drop for good.

The payment usually goes to the utility company as a credit on your account, not to you as cash. You still keep your normal account, just with a lower balance to pay.

Who Qualifies – The Income Limit in Plain Dollars

Each state sets its own income cutoff, so there is no single national number. Most states use the higher of two limits: 150% of the federal poverty level, or 60% of that state’s median income. The federal poverty level (FPL) is the income figure the government updates each year to define low income, published on the HHS poverty guidelines page.

Here is what 150% of the poverty line looks like in real dollars for 2026. Treat this as a common ceiling, not a guarantee, because your state may set the line higher or lower:

Household size	Approx. 150% of poverty (annual)	Approx. monthly
1	$23,940	$1,995
2	$32,460	$2,705
3	$40,980	$3,415
4	$49,500	$4,125
5	$58,020	$4,835

Approximate 150% of the 2026 federal poverty guidelines for the 48 contiguous states, a common LIHEAP income ceiling. Source: HHS poverty guidelines. Your state’s actual limit may differ.

There is a shortcut. If your family already receives SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the food-benefit program), TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, a cash-assistance program), or SSI (Supplemental Security Income, a monthly payment for people with disabilities or very low income), most states approve you for LIHEAP automatically. This is called categorical eligibility. If you are enrolling in food benefits at the same time, our guide on how to apply for SNAP with kids walks through that side.

A family of four earning about $4,000 a month often still qualifies, so run your numbers before assuming you earn too much.

How to Apply – The Exact Steps

Step 1: Find your local office. Go to energyhelp.us and select your state, or call the National Energy Assistance Referral line at 1-866-674-6327. Many areas run LIHEAP through a local Community Action Agency.

Step 2: Gather your documents. You will typically need a photo ID, Social Security numbers for household members, proof of income for the last 30 days (pay stubs or a benefits letter), and a recent energy bill. Having the bill in hand speeds everything up.

Step 3: Apply during the open enrollment window. Heating assistance usually opens in the fall. Funds are limited and run out, so applying early in the season matters more than with school-based programs.

Step 4: Watch for the payment on your utility account. Once approved, the credit posts to your energy account. Keep your approval letter.

Sorting the winter heating bills before applying is the moment most families realize how much LIHEAP could offset each season.

What Most Families Get Wrong

Waiting until the shutoff notice arrives. Regular heating assistance can run out of funds mid-winter. Apply when enrollment opens, not when you are already behind. If you do have a shutoff notice, ask specifically about the crisis component, which is faster.

Assuming they earn too much. The cutoff reaches higher than most parents expect, especially in states that use 60% of the state median income. Check the table above before you count yourself out.

Not reapplying each year. LIHEAP is not automatic year to year. You reapply every heating season.

Skipping weatherization. If your bills are high because your home leaks heat, ask whether weatherization help is available. It lowers the bill permanently, not just for one season.

What to Do If You Are Denied

If your application is denied, your state agency must tell you why in writing and explain how to appeal. Read the notice closely, because denials are often about a missing document, not your income. Send the missing paperwork and ask for a review.

If your income dropped after you applied, such as a job loss or cut hours, reapply right away with updated pay information. You can also contact your utility directly about a budget-billing or payment plan while your appeal is pending.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not financial, legal, or tax advice. Programs, rates, and eligibility rules change frequently. Consult a licensed professional or the relevant government agency for guidance specific to your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get LIHEAP if I rent and heat is included in my rent? Sometimes. If your rent includes heat, some states still offer a smaller benefit or cooling help, while others do not. Ask your local office how renters with heat-included leases are handled in your state.

Does LIHEAP help with my electric bill or only heating? It depends on your state and the season. Heating help may go toward electric heat, and many warm-climate states offer cooling assistance for summer electric bills. Cooking and lighting are usually not covered on their own.

We already get SNAP. Do we still have to apply for LIHEAP? Yes. SNAP does not turn on LIHEAP by itself. But because you receive SNAP, most states approve your LIHEAP application quickly without a separate income review.

How much money will we actually get? Benefit amounts vary widely by state, household size, income, and fuel type, from around $100 to over $1,000 per season. Your local office can estimate your amount when you apply.

What if I have a shutoff notice right now? Call your local LIHEAP office immediately and say you have a disconnection notice. Ask for crisis or emergency assistance, which is designed to move faster than regular heating help.