What LIHEAP Helps With: Heating, Cooling, and Energy Crisis Support Explained

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federal program that helps eligible households with home energy costs, especially during very hot or very cold weather or during an energy crisis.

This guide explains, in plain language, what LIHEAP typically helps with, what it usually does not cover, and how to move forward through official channels if you think you may qualify.

HowToGetAssistance.org is an independent information site. It is not a government agency, not an application portal, and cannot take applications or check your case. To apply or ask about your specific situation, you will need to contact your state or local LIHEAP office or official benefits portal.

What LIHEAP Is (and What It Is Not)

LIHEAP is designed to help low-income households keep safe, affordable heating and cooling in their homes. It usually works by giving payments to your energy provider or sometimes to your household, depending on the state.

In most areas, LIHEAP can help with:

• Home heating bills
• Home cooling bills (in some states and seasons)
• Emergency energy situations (like shut-off notices)
• Limited energy-related home repairs (in some states)

LIHEAP is not:

• A full rent or mortgage assistance program
• A program for business or commercial properties
• A general debt-relief or credit-repair program

Each state, territory, or tribe that runs LIHEAP can set its own rules within federal guidelines, so benefits and procedures can vary.

Main Ways LIHEAP Helps

1. Heating Assistance

In colder climates, heating help is often the main part of LIHEAP.

LIHEAP may help with:

• Electric heat bills
• Natural gas or propane heat bills
• Heating oil, kerosene, coal, or wood costs
• Past-due heating bills if they threaten your service

Common features of heating assistance:

• Seasonal benefit: Many states have a winter heating season with specific application dates.
• One-time or limited payments: Often a single payment per season, though rules differ by state.
• Paid to the utility or fuel vendor: Many programs send the benefit directly to your energy provider and it appears as a credit.

If you heat with oil, propane, or wood, your local LIHEAP office may work with specific vendors and may issue a fuel delivery authorization instead of a bill credit.

2. Cooling Assistance

In warmer or high-heat states, LIHEAP may also help with cooling costs.

Cooling assistance can include:

• Help paying electric bills used for air conditioning or fans
• One-time summer cooling payments
• In some areas, help with window air conditioner units or fans for medically vulnerable or high-risk households

Key things to know:

• Not all states offer cooling assistance; some focus only on heating.
• Cooling help is often time-limited to summer months.
• Some programs require that you have a medical need or be in a high-risk group (such as older adults, young children, or people with certain health conditions) to get cooling equipment.

To find out if cooling help is available where you live, you’ll need to contact your state LIHEAP office or local community action agency.

3. Energy Crisis and Shut-Off Prevention

One of the most important parts of LIHEAP is energy crisis assistance, also called crisis LIHEAP, emergency LIHEAP, or crisis intervention.

This can help when:

• You have a shut-off notice from your gas or electric company
• Your power or heat has already been disconnected
• You are very low on heating fuel (e.g., less than a certain number of gallons of oil or propane, or almost out of wood/coal)
• Extreme weather makes lack of heating or cooling dangerous

Crisis assistance often focuses on fast, targeted help, such as:

• A payment to stop a shut-off
• A reconnect fee payment
• An emergency fuel delivery
• Coordination with the energy company to delay or prevent disconnection

Many states have shorter processing timelines for crisis cases than for regular LIHEAP applications, but you often must:

• Show proof of the emergency (such as a shut-off notice or disconnect letter)
• Meet income and other eligibility rules

If you’re in an energy emergency, it’s usually important to call your local LIHEAP office or community action agency directly rather than waiting.

4. Weatherization and Minor Energy-Related Repairs

LIHEAP itself is mainly a bill payment program, but in some areas it connects with weatherization or limited energy-related repairs.

This can include:

• Referrals to the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
• Minor heating system repairs or replacements when needed for safe heat
• Basic improvements that make your home more energy-efficient (often through a separate but related program)

Not every LIHEAP office can fund repairs. Usually:

• Major home repairs are not covered by LIHEAP directly.
• Weatherization is often run by a separate program, and LIHEAP may simply refer you.

If your heater is broken or unsafe, ask your local LIHEAP office whether they offer crisis heating repair or weatherization referrals.

Common Types of LIHEAP Assistance at a Glance

Availability and exact rules vary by state, territory, or tribe. Always verify with your local LIHEAP office.

What LIHEAP Usually Does Not Cover

Understanding the limits of LIHEAP can save time and help you look for other resources if needed. In many areas, LIHEAP does not:

• Pay full rent or mortgage
• Cover water, sewer, or trash-only bills (unless combined with energy in special cases)
• Pay for cable, internet, or phone service
• Support business or commercial energy accounts
• Cover energy costs for vacation homes or secondary residences
• Pay past-due balances beyond what is necessary to stop disconnection or restore service (varies by state)

Some states may have local programs or charities that cover additional needs, but these are separate from LIHEAP.

Who Typically Qualifies for LIHEAP

Eligibility rules differ, but generally LIHEAP is meant for low-income households that struggle with energy costs.

Common factors include:

• Household income: Usually must be below a certain percentage of the federal poverty level or state median income.
• Household size: Larger families may have higher income limits.
• Citizenship/immigration rules: These vary by state; some require that at least one household member meets specific criteria.
• Responsibility for home energy costs: You usually must pay for heating or cooling, either directly to the utility or as part of rent.
• High energy burden or vulnerability: Some states prioritize:
  • Older adults
  • People with disabilities
  • Families with young children
  • Households with high energy costs compared to income

To know for sure if you qualify, you must check with your state LIHEAP program or local administering agency.

Documents to Gather Before You Apply

Having documents ready can help reduce delays. While exact requirements vary, many LIHEAP offices ask for:

Proof of identity:

• Government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, tribal ID, etc.)
• Social Security numbers for household members, if required in your state

Proof of residence:

• Lease, rental agreement, or mortgage statement
• Recent utility bill with your name and address

Proof of income:

• Recent pay stubs (usually last 30–60 days)
• Unemployment benefit letters
• Social Security or SSI award letters
• Pension, VA benefits, or other income documentation
• If self-employed, recent tax return or profit-and-loss statement

Energy information:

• Most recent heating or cooling bill (electric, gas, oil, propane, etc.)
• Shut-off notice or disconnect letter if you are in crisis
• For fuel like oil or propane, the name and phone number of your fuel vendor

Some states may also ask for proof of household size, like birth certificates or school records, to verify everyone who lives in the home.

How to Apply for LIHEAP (Official Channels Only)

HowToGetAssistance.org cannot accept or process applications. To apply, you will need to contact the official LIHEAP office or portal that serves your area. This could be run by:

• Your state Department of Human Services, Social Services, or Community Services
• A local community action agency
• A tribal government, for members of tribal communities

Common ways to apply:

1. Online through the official state portal (where available)

   • Many states have an official benefits website where you can create an account, fill out a LIHEAP application, and upload documents.

2. By phone

   • Some offices allow you to start an application by calling the state LIHEAP hotline or a local agency number. They may mail forms or complete an intake over the phone.

3. In person

   • Many community action agencies accept walk-ins or scheduled appointments.
   • You may need to bring all required documents to the appointment.

4. By mail or fax

   • Some programs still accept paper applications you can mail or fax, along with copies of your documents.

To find the correct office:

• Search for your state name plus “LIHEAP official program” or “Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program”.
• Call 211 (where available) and ask for LIHEAP or energy assistance.
• Contact your local Department of Human Services or Social Services and ask which agency handles LIHEAP in your county.

What Happens After You Apply

Processing steps vary, but many LIHEAP programs follow a similar pattern:

1. Application review

   • The office checks that your application is complete and that required documents are included.
   • They verify income, household size, and energy account details.

2. Eligibility decision

   • If you qualify, they determine the benefit amount based on:
     • Your income
     • Household size
     • Type of fuel
     • Local guidelines

3. Payment or benefit setup

   • For utility bills, the benefit is often sent directly to your energy company and appears as a credit.
   • For fuel deliveries, they may contact your fuel vendor to authorize a delivery.

4. Notification

   • You should receive a notice of approval or denial, usually by mail, online portal, or sometimes phone.
   • The notice may include how much help you’re getting and for which bills or time period.

Processing times range from a few days for crisis cases to several weeks for regular seasonal applications, depending on demand and local rules.

Common Reasons for Delays or Denials

Knowing the typical issues can help you avoid problems:

Common delays:

• Missing documents (income proof, utility bill, ID)
• Incomplete application forms
• Difficulty verifying your energy account or fuel vendor
• High seasonal demand (for example, winter rush)

Common denial reasons:

• Income above the program limit
• Not living in the service area or state
• Already receiving the maximum LIHEAP benefit for the season
• Not being responsible for paying energy costs (e.g., utilities fully included in rent with no separate bill, depending on state rules)

If you’re unsure why you were denied, you can call your local LIHEAP office and ask for an explanation of the decision.

If You Disagree with a LIHEAP Decision

Most LIHEAP programs provide a way to appeal or request a review of decisions.

Common options include:

• Asking for a case review:

  • Contact the office that handled your application and request a review.
  • Provide any missing or updated documents.

• Formal appeal or fair hearing:

  • Some states allow you to request a hearing with an independent reviewer or hearing officer.
  • There is usually a deadline (for example, 30 or 60 days from the decision notice).

To understand your rights:

• Read your decision letter carefully for appeal instructions.
• Call your local LIHEAP office or state benefits hotline and ask how appeals work in your area.

Alternatives and Additional Help if You Don’t Qualify

If you do not qualify for LIHEAP, or if benefits are not enough to cover your bills, there may be other resources:

• Utility company hardship programs

  • Many electric and gas companies have payment plans, budget billing, or hardship funds.
  • Call your utility company and ask about bill assistance or special programs.

• Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)

  • A separate federal program that can help lower bills by improving your home’s efficiency (insulation, sealing leaks, etc.).
  • Often run by the same agencies that run LIHEAP.

• Local charities and nonprofits

  • Organizations like Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, and local churches or community nonprofits may offer one-time bill help.
  • Call 211 to ask about local energy assistance programs.

• Other public benefits

  • Programs such as SNAP (food assistance), TANF, or housing assistance may free up money for bills.
  • Contact your local human services department or official benefits office to see what else you may qualify for.

How to Make Sure You Are Using Official LIHEAP Channels (Avoiding Scams)

Because LIHEAP involves financial assistance, it’s important to confirm you’re working with legitimate, official offices.

Tips to stay safe:

• No application fees:

  • LIHEAP applications through official channels are free. Be cautious of anyone charging you a fee to “get you approved.”

• Check the website address:

  • Official state or federal websites usually end in “.gov”.
  • Tribal and local agencies may have other endings, but should clearly identify an official agency or nonprofit, not a private business selling services.

• Verify by phone:

  • Call your state’s main human services or social services office and ask for the LIHEAP number.
  • You can also call 211 (where available) and ask specifically for the official LIHEAP office.

• Do not share full Social Security numbers or ID details on unfamiliar websites or through social media messages.

  • Only provide this information to verified official offices following their normal application processes.

If something feels suspicious, ask the person or organization to provide proof they are an official LIHEAP office or contracted agency, and cross-check using a phone number listed on your state government website.

Understanding what LIHEAP helps with—heating, cooling, and energy crisis support—can make it easier to decide your next steps. If you think you may qualify, your best move is to contact your state or local LIHEAP office, community action agency, or the official benefits portal that serves your area and ask how to start an application or crisis request.