Utility Bills and LIHEAP: Exactly What LIHEAP Can – and Can’t – Pay For

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is one of the most common ways households get help with high utility bills. But LIHEAP has limits, and those limits can surprise people.

This guide from HowToGetAssistance.org explains, in plain language, what LIHEAP usually pays for, what it does not cover, and how to move forward through official channels. HowToGetAssistance.org is not a government agency or application site. Instead, this article is meant to help you understand your options so you can contact the correct official office with fewer surprises.

LIHEAP in Plain English

LIHEAP is a federal program that helps low-income households with home energy costs, especially:

• Heating bills (gas, electricity, oil, propane, wood, etc.)
• Cooling bills in some states (usually electric)
• Emergency energy crises (such as shutoff notices or empty fuel tanks)
• Energy-related repairs that affect health and safety (in some states)

LIHEAP money is usually paid directly to your utility or fuel company, not to you. Each state (and sometimes county or tribe) runs its own LIHEAP program, so exact rules and covered items can vary.

Quick Snapshot: What LIHEAP Often Covers vs. What It Usually Doesn’t

Use this table as a starting point, then always check with your state or local LIHEAP office for details.

This table is a general guide. The only way to know what’s possible for your situation is to contact your local LIHEAP office or state energy assistance agency.

What Utility Bills LIHEAP Typically Covers

1. Regular Home Heating Bills

Most LIHEAP funds go toward heating costs during colder months. This can include:

• Natural gas
• Electric heat
• Heating oil
• Propane
• Kerosene
• Wood or wood pellets

Typical features:

• One main benefit per season: Many states offer one primary benefit that covers part of your heating costs for the winter.
• Paid to the vendor: Payment usually goes directly to your utility or fuel company, showing as a credit on your bill or as a fuel delivery.
• Amount is capped: The benefit amount is often based on income, household size, fuel type, and region.

LIHEAP is meant to reduce your bill, not to cover all your heating costs in most cases.

2. Cooling Assistance (Where Available)

Not every state offers cooling assistance, but where it does exist, LIHEAP may help with:

• Higher electric bills from air conditioning
• In some places, repair or purchase of basic cooling equipment for vulnerable households

States that experience long, hot summers are more likely to offer a cooling benefit, especially for:

• Older adults
• People with certain medical conditions
• Young children
• People with disabilities

Cooling help may be seasonal and have different application deadlines than heating assistance, so it’s important to ask your local LIHEAP office if and when cooling help is available.

3. Shutoff Notices and Energy Crises

If you have a disconnect notice, no heat, or your fuel tank is almost empty, LIHEAP may treat this as an energy crisis.

Crisis assistance commonly includes:

• Help to stop a scheduled disconnection
• Help to restore service after shutoff, if possible
• Emergency fuel deliveries for heating fuel customers
• In some cases, help with deposits or reconnection fees

Crisis benefits are usually:

• Time-sensitive: Agencies often try to process crisis applications faster.
• Limited: There may be caps per household or per season.
• Dependent on funds: If funds are low or already used, options may be more limited.

To request crisis help, you usually need to show documents such as a shutoff notice, disconnect letter, or fuel delivery slip.

4. Past-Due Balances on Energy Bills

LIHEAP can often help with past-due home energy bills, especially if:

• The balance is for your current address, and
• The past-due amount threatens your current service (or has already led to shutoff).

Important points:

• LIHEAP might not pay your entire past-due balance.
• The program may negotiate with your utility vendor for a partial payment and payment plan.
• You might still be responsible for some portion of what you owe.

Your local office can explain whether they help with old debt from a previous address; many do not.

5. Furnace, Heating System, or AC Repairs (In Some Areas)

Some LIHEAP programs, often through a weatherization or crisis repair component, can help with basic energy-related home repairs, such as:

• Furnace or boiler repair
• Broken heating system replacement
• Repair of unsafe venting or fuel lines
• In some states, critical AC repair for health and safety

Key limits:

• Typically only for your primary residence
• Focused on health and safety, not home improvement
• Often one-time or infrequent help for major repairs

Not every state offers this; ask your state LIHEAP or weatherization office if they have a crisis repair or energy-related home repair component.

What LIHEAP Generally Does NOT Pay For

Understanding what LIHEAP cannot pay for helps you plan and avoid delays.

1. Non-Energy Utilities (Water, Sewer, Trash)

While some communities have separate aid for water or sanitation, LIHEAP is typically limited to energy (heat and sometimes cooling).

Usually not covered by LIHEAP:

• Water bills
• Sewer bills
• Trash collection fees
• Stormwater fees

If you need water or sewer assistance, ask:

• Your local social services department
• Your water utility about hardship or assistance programs
• 211 by phone, which can often list local water and utility help

2. Phone, Internet, and Cable

LIHEAP does not pay for:

• Home or cell phone service
• Internet service
• Cable or streaming services

If you need telecom help, you can ask about programs like Lifeline or Affordable Connectivity Program (if available) through official federal or state channels.

3. Rent, Mortgage, or Security Deposits

LIHEAP is not a housing or rental program. It normally cannot pay for:

• Rent or mortgage payments
• Security deposits for housing
• Back rent or eviction prevention costs

The only narrow exception that sometimes appears is when:

• Utilities are included in rent, and
• The program can clearly identify a utility portion of that cost (rules vary widely).

Otherwise, for rent or mortgage help, you may need to contact:

• Your local housing authority
• County social services
• Emergency rental assistance programs, if available in your area

4. Business or Non-Primary Residence Bills

LIHEAP is designed for low-income households and their primary residence. It usually won’t assist with:

• Business or commercial utility accounts
• Utility bills for second homes, vacation properties, or rental properties you own

You typically will be asked to show that the account is for your home address and that you live there.

5. Old Debts After Moving or Closed Accounts

Many programs do not use LIHEAP funds for:

• Debts on closed utility accounts
• Past-due debt at an address where you no longer live and the account is no longer active

Some utilities might have separate hardship funds for old debts, so it can be worth contacting the utility’s customer service or hardship department directly.

Who Typically Qualifies for LIHEAP Help

Eligibility is set by each state or tribe, but some common themes are:

• Income limits: Usually your household income must be at or below a set percentage of the federal poverty level or area median income.
• Household size: Larger households often have higher income limits.
• Citizenship/immigration rules: These can vary; the rules can be detailed, so the best source is your state LIHEAP office.
• Responsibility for energy costs: Typically, someone in the household must be responsible for paying home energy bills, either:
  • Directly to a utility or fuel company, or
  • Through rent where utilities are clearly itemized.

Many LIHEAP programs also prioritize certain households when funds are limited, such as:

• Older adults
• People with disabilities
• Families with young children
• Households with very high energy burdens (large part of income spent on energy)

The only way to know if you qualify is to apply through your official state or local LIHEAP office or call their official hotline.

Documents to Gather Before You Contact LIHEAP

Requirements vary by state, but these documents are commonly requested:

Proof of identity

• Photo ID for the applicant (driver’s license, state ID, etc.)
• Social Security numbers for household members, if required

Proof of residence

• Recent utility bill or fuel bill with your name and address
• Lease or rental agreement, if needed

Proof of income

• Recent pay stubs (usually last 30–60 days)
• Award letters for Social Security, SSI, VA, pensions
• Unemployment benefit details
• Information on child support or other regular income

Proof of energy situation

• Most recent utility bill (even if not past due)
• Shutoff or disconnect notice, if you have one
• For fuel customers, a fuel delivery slip or account statement

Household information

• Names, birthdates, and relationship of everyone who lives in the home

Having these ready can make your LIHEAP application faster and smoother.

How to Apply for LIHEAP (Through Official Channels Only)

HowToGetAssistance.org does not accept applications and cannot check your case. To move forward, you’ll use your state or local LIHEAP agency.

Here is how the process typically works:

Step 1: Find Your Official LIHEAP Office

Options often include:

• Calling 211 and asking for “LIHEAP” or “energy assistance” in your area
• Contacting your state’s human services or social services department
• Checking your state’s official benefits portal or website for “energy assistance” or “LIHEAP”
• Calling your local community action agency, if your state uses them to run LIHEAP

Verify you’re on an official government or recognized nonprofit site or phone line before sharing personal information.

Step 2: Ask How Applications Are Accepted

Different areas may allow:

• Online applications through an official state or county portal
• In-person appointments at a local office or community center
• Phone applications or mail-in forms, especially for seniors or people with disabilities

When you call or visit, ask:

• “What are the current LIHEAP application methods?”
• “What documents do I need to bring or upload?”
• “Are there special forms for emergency or crisis assistance?”

Step 3: Submit Your Application

When using the official method for your area:

• Fill out the application completely and truthfully
• Include all requested documents
• Indicate if you have a shutoff notice or no heat so they know it is urgent
• Make copies or take photos of anything you submit, if possible

If you need help filling out forms, you can:

• Ask the local LIHEAP office if they offer application assistance
• Contact a community action agency or nonprofit that assists with energy help

Step 4: What Usually Happens After You Apply

Typical steps after applying:

1. Review of your application by the LIHEAP office.
2. Requests for more information, if anything is missing or unclear.
3. Eligibility decision: They determine if you qualify and how much help they can provide.
4. Vendor notification: If approved, payments or credits are usually sent directly to your energy vendor.

Processing times vary widely by state and season. During peak winter months, it can take longer unless you are in a documented crisis situation.

You may receive:

• A decision letter in the mail or through an online portal
• A notice to your utility company authorizing payment
• In some cases, phone contact from a caseworker or agency staff

Common Reasons for Delays or Denials

Understanding these issues ahead of time can help you avoid problems:

• Incomplete applications: Missing signatures, blank fields, or missing pages.
• Missing documents: No recent income proof, no copy of your utility bill, or no ID.
• Income above the limit: Households whose income is too high for that state’s LIHEAP income guidelines.
• Not responsible for the bill: If your name is not on the account and you cannot show responsibility for energy costs.
• Duplicate applications: Multiple applications for the same season or same household.
• No funds remaining: LIHEAP runs on limited yearly funding; sometimes programs close early when funds run out.

If you’re denied, your decision letter usually explains why and may give instructions for appeal or review.

What to Do If You’re Denied or Disagree With the Decision

Most LIHEAP programs have a way to appeal or request a review. This might involve:

1. Reading the denial letter carefully
   • Look for the reason and any appeal deadline.
2. Contacting the LIHEAP office
   • Politely ask, “How can I request a review or appeal this decision?”
3. Submitting additional documents
   • Income proof, updated bills, or corrected information.
4. Following formal appeal instructions
   • Some states require a written appeal, others accept a form or phone request.

Appeals must usually be filed within a set number of days, so acting quickly is important.

If You Don’t Qualify for LIHEAP or Need More Help

If LIHEAP cannot cover your needs or has run out of funds, you still may have options.

Consider checking:

• Utility company hardship programs
  • Many electric, gas, and fuel companies offer payment plans, budget billing, or special assistance funds.
• Local charities and nonprofits
  • Organizations like Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, and local churches or community groups may help with utility bills.
• Weatherization programs
  • Separate from LIHEAP but often related; these programs aim to reduce energy use through insulation, sealing, and energy-efficient upgrades.
• Emergency assistance through social services
  • County or city human services departments sometimes have emergency aid for utilities as part of broader assistance.
• 211 information line
  • Dialing 211 can connect you with local resources, including energy help, rent aid, food assistance, and more.

Always confirm that any organization you contact is a legitimate, official, or reputable nonprofit before sharing personal information.

How to Avoid Scams When Seeking Utility Bill Help

Whenever you’re dealing with benefits or bill assistance, it’s important to protect yourself.

Watch out for:

• Promises of guaranteed approval for a fee
• Websites or social media pages that ask for upfront payments to “speed up” LIHEAP
• People who request your full Social Security number, bank account numbers, or login credentials through unofficial messages

To stay safe:

• Only share information through known official state websites, verified phone numbers, or recognized local agencies.
• If in doubt, call your state’s main human services or energy assistance office directly using a number you find from a trusted source (like a phone directory or government site).
• Remember that LIHEAP assistance should not require you to pay a third party to apply.

Understanding exactly what LIHEAP can and can’t pay helps you focus your time and energy where it matters most: connecting with the right official office, gathering the right documents, and exploring backup options if you need additional help.