The short answer
LIHEAP covers $200-$1,000/yr toward heating bills for eligible low-income households. Income threshold is typically 150% of federal poverty guideline (1-person: $23,475/yr, 4-person: $48,225/yr). Apply through your state LIHEAP office; benefit is paid directly to your utility as a credit. Application windows run Oct-Mar in most states.
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is the federal program that covers $200-$1,000 per year toward heating bills for eligible low-income households. Funded annually by Congress and administered by each state, LIHEAP serves about 5.4 million US households. Eligibility runs up to 150% of the federal poverty guideline in most states.
Eligibility thresholds
Most US states cap LIHEAP eligibility at 150% of the federal poverty guideline, which for 2026 is approximately: 1 person $23,475/yr, 2 persons $31,725/yr, 4 persons $48,225/yr.
Some states (Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey) extend eligibility to 200% of poverty or to 60% of state median income, whichever is greater.
Income types that count: wages, self-employment, Social Security, unemployment, pensions, alimony. Income types that do not count: SNAP benefits, child tax credits, energy assistance from prior years.
What LIHEAP pays for
Heating bill assistance: typically $200-$1,000/yr depending on household size, income, and fuel type. Paid directly to your utility or fuel provider as a credit.
Crisis assistance: emergency one-time payments for households facing imminent disconnection. Available year-round in most states; processed in 48 hours for emergencies.
Weatherization: some states bundle LIHEAP with the federal Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), which provides free home weatherization for eligible households.
Infographic
Income threshold by household size — 150% poverty
How to apply
Step 1: find your state LIHEAP office at acf.gov/ocs/programs/liheap. Most states accept applications online.
Step 2: gather documentation. ID, Social Security cards (or ITINs) for all household members, proof of income (last 30 days pay stubs, Social Security statements), recent utility bill, proof of address.
Step 3: submit application. Online portals process in 4-6 weeks; in-person processing varies. Crisis applications process in 48 hours. The utility-shutoff-protections-by-state guide covers related disconnection rules.
Recap
Bottom line
LIHEAP is the federal energy assistance program that has helped 5.4 million US households per year cover heating bills since 1981. The program runs through state offices, with eligibility typically capped at 150 percent of federal poverty (some states extend to 200 percent). Benefits range from $200 to $1,000 per year for regular assistance plus crisis-level emergency payments for imminent disconnection.
For eligible households, LIHEAP is one of the highest-impact financial supports available. Application windows run October through March in most states. Apply early in the season — funding can run out before March in high-demand years. The utility-shutoff-protections-by-state and utilities-renter-vs-landlord-responsibility guides cover the related protections.
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