How to get help with your heating bill: LIHEAP energy assistance

Many families miss heating help because they wait

LIHEAP stands for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The federal government pays for it, but each state, territory and many tribes run their own program. The money helps households with low incomes pay heating and cooling bills. It can also help in an energy crisis and pay for repairs that make a home use less energy. In most cases, the help is paid straight to the utility or fuel company.

Many people never apply because they think they earn too much or because they rent. In many states, renters can get help too, even when heat is part of the rent. Others wait too long. Funds are limited, and many programs close when the money runs out. Some states also let older adults and people with a disability apply first. The next page shows how to apply and what to prepare.

Questions most people have before they apply

• Why do some households get more help than others?Open →
• How do the papers and the payment work?Open →
• Where do you apply? With your state or local energy officeWith your state or local energy office, not with a federal office.Open →

How LIHEAP help works from start to finish

The process starts with your state program or a local agency that works for it. In many places this is a community action agency or a county social services office. Some states take forms online. Others ask you to call, mail a form or come in person. You will be asked about everyone who lives with you, their income and your energy bills.

After you apply, the agency checks your papers and makes a decision. If you are eligible, it usually sends the payment to your energy company as a credit on your bill. If your heat is off or about to be shut off, ask about crisis help. Under federal law, an eligible household in a crisis must get some help within 48 hours of applying. In a life-threatening situation, the limit is 18 hours. The next page explains the steps and the papers to have ready.