Energy Assistance

LIHEAP Application 2026–2027: Who Qualifies and How to Apply

Quick Answer

LIHEAP helps low-income households pay heating bills and avoid shutoffs. Applications for winter 2026–27 are open or opening now, and money often runs out — apply early. Each state sets its own income limit (up to 150% of the poverty level or 60% of state median income) and benefit amount. Apply through your state or local LIHEAP office; the payment usually goes straight to your utility or fuel company.

By GovBenefits.Guide Checked against official sources November 4, 2026

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is funded by the federal government and run by each state. About 6 million households got LIHEAP help with heating or cooling over the last year (U.S. Senate, Sept 2026).

What LIHEAP Pays For

Heating bills: a one-time payment toward gas, electric, propane, heating oil, wood or other fuel, usually sent straight to your utility or fuel company.
Energy crisis help: emergency help if you have a shutoff notice, have been disconnected or are running out of fuel.
Repairs and weatherization: in some states, fixing or replacing a broken furnace, or making your home more energy-efficient.

LIHEAP benefits are grants, not loans — Pennsylvania, for example, says its cash grant does not need to be repaid (PA DHS). Some states take applications online; others need an in-person appointment (USA.gov).

Is LIHEAP Funded This Winter?

Yes. Congress made about $4 billion available for the 2027 federal fiscal year, and the stopgap funding law required HHS to send at least 90% of states' LIHEAP money by November 1, 2026 (U.S. Senate). HHS has announced its first FY 2027 block grant release. Applications in most states stay open until spring 2027 or until the money runs out.

Who Qualifies

Federal law lets each state set its income limit within these bounds (42 U.S.C. 8624(b)(2)):

No higher than 150% of the poverty level or 60% of the state median income, whichever is greater.
No lower than 110% of the poverty level.
States may treat households where someone receives SNAP, SSI, TANF or certain veterans' benefits as eligible.

For 2026, 150% of the poverty level is $23,940 a year for 1 person, $32,460 for 2, $40,980 for 3 and $49,500 for 4 — the exact limits Pennsylvania uses (PA DHS). Some states serve certain groups first — Georgia, for example, opens heating help a month early for people 65 and older and the medically homebound (Georgia DFCS).

How to Apply

Find your LIHEAP office with the federal LIHEAP search tool — usually a state agency or a local community action agency.
Ask what to bring. Offices usually want ID, proof of income for everyone in the household and a recent heating or electric bill with your account number.
Apply as early as you can. Help is often first-come, first-served until funds run out — Georgia, for example, says so on its LIHEAP page.
Reapply every season. Pennsylvania, for example, requires a new application each year.

Where to Get a LIHEAP Application (Online, PDF, In Person)

There is no single national LIHEAP application — each state has its own. You will find it in one of three ways:

Online: many states have an online application, often the same portal used for SNAP or Medicaid (Pennsylvania's COMPASS, New Mexico's YesNM) or a dedicated site (Florida's floridaliheap.com).
Printable PDF: some states publish a form to print, fill in and mail or drop off — New Mexico's is form LHP-602 (NM HCA).
Local agency: in states such as Georgia and South Carolina you apply through your local community action agency, which also has the forms.

Only download forms from your state agency's own website, and never pay anyone to apply for you.

How to Apply by State (2026–27)

State	How to apply	2026–27 details
California	Through your local agency — find it on CSD's energy bills page	2026 income limit $3,331.66/month for 1 person, $6,407.16 for 4
District of Columbia	Online from Oct 20, 2026 (DOEE); in person by appointment from Nov 17 (book from Nov 10) via 311 or (202) 737-4404; or by mail	One-time benefit of $250–$1,800
Florida	Online at floridaliheap.com (statewide FloridaCommerce portal) or your local LIHEAP provider	Crisis help up to $1,000 a year; income up to 150% of poverty or 60% of state median income, or a member on SNAP, TANF or SSI
Georgia	Local community action agency; DFCS 877-423-4746	Opens first workday of December for 65+ and homebound, first workday of January for others; up to 60% of state median income
Missouri	Online form plus document upload, or paper to your local contracted agency; 855-373-4636 for a mailed application	Energy Assistance Oct–May; crisis (ECIP) Nov–May, up to $800 in winter
New Mexico	Online through YesNM, or paper form LHP-602 to your ISD office; (800) 283-4465	Interview about 10 days after you apply; decision within 45 days; faster for shutoffs
Ohio	Start at energyhelp.ohio.gov; finish with your local energy assistance provider	Winter Crisis Program Nov 2, 2026 – Mar 31, 2027; up to 175% of poverty; up to $175 / $750 / $1,200 by utility or fuel type
Pennsylvania	Online at COMPASS or at your county assistance office; hotline 1-866-857-7095	Nov 2, 2026 – Apr 23, 2027; cash grant $200–$1,000; crisis grants
South Carolina	Local community action agency (the state office does not take applications)	Up to 60% of state median income: $31,993/year for 1 person, $61,525 for 4
Texas	CEAP through local agencies — TDHCA "Help for Texans", Utility Bill Payment Help	Run by local agencies for TDHCA

Sources: California CSD, DC DOEE, Florida LIHEAP portal, Georgia DFCS, Missouri DSS, New Mexico HCA, Ohio Consumers' Counsel, Pennsylvania DHS, South Carolina OEO, TDHCA. Other states: use the LIHEAP search tool.

Orange County, Florida: residents apply at floridaliheap.com; the county's LIHEAP hotline is (407) 836-7429 (Orange County).

If Your Heat Is About to Be Shut Off

Call your utility right away and say you are applying for LIHEAP or crisis help. Ask about payment plans.
Apply for crisis help through your LIHEAP office — Pennsylvania, for example, pays crisis grants within 10 business days, sooner in life-threatening situations (PA DHS).
Ohio: the Winter Crisis Program helps if you have a disconnection notice, have been disconnected or have less than a 25% supply of bulk fuel.

Watch for scams. LIHEAP never charges a fee to apply, and the federal government does not give "free money" for home repairs by phone or text. Apply only through your state or local agency.

Weatherization: Lower Bills Long Term

The federal Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) checks your whole home and pays for improvements that cut energy costs, such as insulation and sealing leaks. It is for low-income households; receiving TANF or SSI can also qualify you. Apply through your state WAP office (USA.gov).

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I get a LIHEAP application?

Your state or local LIHEAP office has the application. Many states let you apply online (for example Pennsylvania through COMPASS, Florida at floridaliheap.com, New Mexico through YesNM), some offer a printable PDF form, and others take applications only through a local community action agency. The federal LIHEAP search tool at liheapch.acf.hhs.gov/search-tool lists the office for your state.

Can I apply for LIHEAP online?

In many states, yes. Pennsylvania (COMPASS), Florida (floridaliheap.com), New Mexico (YesNM), Washington, D.C. (DOEE, from October 20, 2026) and Missouri (online form plus document upload) accept online applications. In states such as Georgia and South Carolina you apply through your local community action agency.

Is there a LIHEAP application PDF?

Some states publish a printable application. New Mexico's is form LHP-602, Missouri and Pennsylvania offer printable applications to mail or bring to a local office, and Washington, D.C. accepts mailed applications. Always download the form from the state agency's own website.

How do I apply for LIHEAP in Florida?

Apply online at floridaliheap.com, the statewide portal for FloridaCommerce's LIHEAP program, or through your local LIHEAP provider. Crisis help for households with a shutoff notice or disconnected service is up to $1,000 a year. Orange County residents also apply at floridaliheap.com; the county LIHEAP hotline is (407) 836-7429.

What is LIHEAP?

LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) is a federal program, run by each state, that helps low-income households pay heating and cooling bills and get emergency help during an energy crisis, such as a shutoff notice or running out of fuel. Some states also use it for weatherization and heating repairs.

What is the income limit for LIHEAP?

Each state sets its own limit. Federal law caps it at 150% of the poverty level or 60% of the state median income, whichever is higher, and states cannot set it below 110% of the poverty level. Households where someone gets SNAP, SSI or TANF can be eligible automatically, depending on the state.

How do I apply for LIHEAP?

Apply through your state or local LIHEAP office, often a community action agency. Use the federal LIHEAP search tool at liheapch.acf.hhs.gov/search-tool to find yours. Some states take online applications; others require an appointment.

How much does LIHEAP pay?

It depends on the state, your income, household size and fuel type. Pennsylvania pays a one-time cash grant of $200 to $1,000 for 2026-27. Ohio's Winter Crisis Program pays up to $175 for customers of state-regulated electric or gas utilities and up to $1,200 for bulk fuel such as propane or heating oil.

Is LIHEAP funded for winter 2026–27?

Yes. Congress made about $4 billion available for LIHEAP for the 2027 federal fiscal year, and the stopgap funding law required HHS to send at least 90% of it to states by November 1, 2026. States run their own application seasons, and funds are first-come, first-served in many states.

Do I have to pay LIHEAP back?

No. LIHEAP benefits are grants, not loans. Pennsylvania, for example, says its one-time cash grant goes to your utility or fuel company and does not need to be repaid.

Sources

Checked on November 4, 2026. Rules and amounts change; the agency's own page always wins.