LIHEAP 2026: Home Energy Assistance (Eligibility & How to Apply)

Quick answer: The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps eligible households with heating and cooling bills, energy crises such as shutoffs, and weatherization. It is federally funded but run by states, tribes, and territories, so income limits and benefits vary by where you live. It is not an entitlement — funds are limited — and you apply through your state or local agency, never through the federal government, and never for a fee.

Key takeaways

• LIHEAP helps with heating and cooling bills, energy emergencies, and weatherization.
• Each state or tribe sets its own income limit within a federal cap: no more than the greater of 150% of the federal poverty guidelines or 60% of state median income (and no lower than 110% of the poverty guidelines).
• Funds are limited and not guaranteed — apply as soon as your state’s window opens.
• Find your intake agency at energyhelp.us or call NEAR at 1-866-674-6327.
• Applying is always free; report anyone charging a fee.

How LIHEAP works

LIHEAP is a federal block grant, created in 1981, that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (ACF) distributes to states, the District of Columbia, five territories, and roughly 150 tribes and tribal organizations. Those grantees run their own programs, which is why limits, benefit amounts, and application windows differ by location. The federal agency does not make awards directly to households — help always flows through your state, local, or tribal agency.

LIHEAP at a glance

Question	What the federal rules say
Who runs it	HHS/ACF funds states, DC, territories, and ~150 tribes, which run their own programs
Income limit	Set by your state or tribe; the federal cap is the greater of 150% of poverty guidelines or 60% of state median income, with a floor of 110%
What it covers	Heating and cooling bills, crisis help, weatherization, minor energy-related repairs
Is it guaranteed?	No — it is not an entitlement; funds are limited and can run out
How to apply	Through your state, local, or tribal intake agency — energyhelp.us or NEAR 1-866-674-6327; never a fee

What LIHEAP covers

Depending on your grantee’s plan, LIHEAP can help pay winter heating bills; provide crisis assistance if your power is shut off, about to be shut off, or your fuel tank is empty (grantee plans make crisis aid available through at least March 15); help with summer cooling costs; and fund weatherization and minor energy-related home repairs, such as fixing or replacing unsafe heating equipment. Weatherization is generally capped at 15% of a grantee’s funds (up to 25% with a waiver), so bill and crisis help are the most common benefits.

Who qualifies in 2026

Your state or tribe sets the income limit, within federal bounds: it may not exceed the greater of 150% of the federal poverty guidelines or 60% of state median income, and may not be set below 110% of the poverty guidelines. That means the exact cutoff for your household size depends on where you live — check our 2026 Federal Poverty Level chart as a reference, then confirm with your state agency. In some states, households already receiving benefits such as SNAP, SSI, or TANF may be categorically eligible; ask when you apply. Because LIHEAP is not an entitlement, meeting the income test does not guarantee a benefit — grantees prioritize households with the highest energy burden and those with elderly members, members with disabilities, or young children.

How to apply

Apply through your state, local, or tribal intake agency — often a community action agency. Find yours at energyhelp.us, or call the National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) line at 1-866-674-6327. Have proof of income for household members, identification, a recent energy bill (or shutoff notice for crisis help), and household-size information ready. Applying never costs money: if anyone asks for a fee to file a LIHEAP application, it is a scam — report it to the HHS fraud hotline at 1-800-447-8477. Apply early: many programs are first-come, first-served, and heating funds often open in the fall.

If you need other help, see TANF cash assistance, SNAP, and our Housing Assistance 2026 Guide.

Sources

• HHS/ACF — LIHEAP Fact Sheet
• HHS/ACF — LIHEAP Program
• HHS — Find Energy Help (energyhelp.us)
• National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR): 1-866-674-6327

Last fact-check: July 29, 2026

Editorial status: Independent subject-matter review has not been completed.