LIHEAP · Guide
LIHEAP eligibility: income limits and who can get help
Last updated 2026-10-24 · Reviewed against official sources · Editorial standards
Key takeaways
- Federal law lets states serve households with income up to 150 percent of the poverty guidelines or 60 percent of the state median income, whichever is higher.
- A state may set a lower limit. But it may not turn a household away for income alone if that income is below 110 percent of the poverty guidelines.
- Federal law also lets states serve households where someone gets SNAP, SSI, TANF or certain needs-based veterans payments.
- For fiscal year 2027, 150 percent of the 2026 guidelines is $23,940 a year for one person and $49,500 for four, outside Alaska and Hawaii.
- Each state sets its own limit, dates and amounts. LIHEAP help does not count as income for other programs or for taxes.
Who can get LIHEAP
LIHEAP is a federal block grant. Each state, territory and tribe that runs it writes its own rules within limits set by federal law. Under that law, a state may only pay households that fit one of two groups:
- Someone in the household gets SNAP, SSI, TANF cash help or certain needs-based veterans payments.
- The household's income is at or below 150 percent of the poverty guidelines or 60 percent of the state median income, whichever is higher.
A household is anyone living together as one economic unit who buys energy together, or who pays for energy as part of the rent. The law does not define income. Most states count gross income, before taxes. States may add rules, such as being responsible for the energy bill.
The poverty guideline limits
| Household size | 100 percent | 110 percent (floor) | 150 percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $15,960 | $17,556 | $23,940 |
| 2 | $21,640 | $23,804 | $32,460 |
| 3 | $27,320 | $30,052 | $40,980 |
| 4 | $33,000 | $36,300 | $49,500 |
| 5 | $38,680 | $42,548 | $58,020 |
| 6 | $44,360 | $48,796 | $66,540 |
| 7 | $50,040 | $55,044 | $75,060 |
| 8 | $55,720 | $61,292 | $83,580 |
For larger households, add $8,520 a year for each extra person at 150 percent. Alaska and Hawaii have higher guidelines. States had to start using these figures by Oct. 1, 2026, or the start of their own fiscal year, if later. The 110 percent column is the floor. Below it, a state may not exclude a household for income alone.
The state median income limits
| State | One person | Four people |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $35,238 | $67,767 |
| Florida | $33,733 | $64,873 |
| Illinois | $41,290 | $79,405 |
| New Jersey | $51,273 | $98,602 |
| New York | $42,759 | $82,230 |
| North Carolina | $35,257 | $67,803 |
| Pennsylvania | $40,460 | $77,809 |
For households of up to eight people in these seven states, 60 percent of the state median income is the higher of the two federal limits. Still, a state can choose a lower limit. Pennsylvania's posted limits equal 150 percent of the poverty guidelines. North Carolina's regular LIEAP chart uses 130 percent. New Jersey and Arizona use 60 percent of the state median income.
Who gets the most help
Federal law tells states to give the most help to households with the lowest incomes and the highest energy costs for their size. It also asks states to reach out to older adults, people with a disability and households with high energy bills. Many states let these groups apply first or add to their benefit.
Federal funding for this season
On Oct. 9, 2026, the Administration for Children and Families released $3,631,860,000 in LIHEAP block grant funds for fiscal year 2027. This was 90 percent of the money available under a continuing resolution signed Sept. 2, 2026. Each state then decides how much each household gets.
State guides
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to get SNAP or SSI to qualify for LIHEAP?
No. A household can qualify on income alone. Some states, such as New York and Arizona, also treat households that get SNAP or certain cash help as meeting the income rule.
Does LIHEAP count as income?
No. Federal law says LIHEAP payments do not count as income or resources for any purpose under federal or state law. That includes taxes, SNAP and other public help.
Can renters get LIHEAP?
Yes, in many cases. Federal law counts households that pay for energy as part of their rent. Some states limit help for people in public or subsidized housing when heat is included.
Is the income limit the same in every state?
No. Each state picks its own limit, up to the higher of 150 percent of the poverty guidelines or 60 percent of its median income. Check your state guide.
Sources
- U.S. Code, 42 U.S.C. 8624, Applications and requirements (govinfo, 2024 edition): Who states may serve (SNAP, SSI, TANF, certain VA payments, or income up to the greater of 150 percent of poverty or 60 percent of state median income), the 110 percent floor, most help to the lowest incomes and highest energy costs, payments not counted as income. Read 2026-10-24.
- ACF, LIHEAP IM 2026-01: Federal Poverty Guidelines and State Median Income Estimates (mandatory use in FY 2027): 150 percent of poverty or 60 percent of state median income, the 110 percent floor, household definition, gross income, adoption by Oct. 1, 2026. Read 2026-10-24.
- ACF, IM 2026-01 Attachment 2: 100, 110 and 150 percent of the 2026 poverty guidelines for LIHEAP (FY 2027): Table by household size for the 48 contiguous states and D.C., Alaska and Hawaii. Read 2026-10-24.
- ACF, IM 2026-01 Attachment 4: State Median Income by household size, mandatory use in FY 2027: 60 percent of state median income for each state and household size. Read 2026-10-24.
- Federal Register, Annual Update of the HHS Poverty Guidelines (91 FR 1797, Jan. 15, 2026): 2026 guidelines: $15,960 for one person, plus $5,680 for each extra person, in the 48 contiguous states and D.C.. Read 2026-10-24.
- ACF, First Block Grant Funding Release FFY 2027: $3,631,860,000 released Oct. 9, 2026: 90 percent of the funds available under the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027 (Pub. L. 119-103), signed Sept. 2, 2026. Read 2026-10-24.
- ACF, LIHEAP Funding Releases: List of releases: FY 2026 first (Nov. 28, 2025), final (April 17, 2026) and reallotment (Aug. 13, 2026); FY 2027 first (Oct. 9, 2026). Read 2026-10-24.
- Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): What LIHEAP pays for, the National Energy Assistance Referral line 1-866-674-6327 (weekdays 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern), no fee and no direct grants to individuals, HHS fraud hotline 1-800-447-8477. Read 2026-10-24.
- Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Apply for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): 2026-2027 season scheduled to open Nov. 2, 2026; last season Dec. 3, 2025, to May 8, 2026; $200 to $1,000 cash grants; income limits effective Feb. 1, 2026; crisis grants; hotline 1-866-857-7095. Read 2026-10-24.
- North Carolina DHHS, LIEAP 130% and 150% chart, Federal Fiscal Year 2026: Monthly income limits and the $300, $400 and $500 payment amounts. Read 2026-10-24.
- New Jersey DCA, FFY 2027 Fact Sheet (LIHEAP and USF): Application period Oct. 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027; 60 percent of state median income limits; $300 cooling benefit; USF up to $200 a month. Read 2026-10-24.
- Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES), Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): Income limits, points and benefit amounts, $500 crisis limit, how to apply, service line 1-866-494-1981, grievances, Power AZ closure. Read 2026-10-24.
- New York State, Apply for Heating Assistance (HEAP): 2025-2026 income limits and benefit amounts, how to apply, documents, the 30-business-day notice, Emergency HEAP and the OTDA hotline 1-800-342-3009. Read 2026-10-24.