LIHEAP: help paying utility bills
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps eligible households pay heating and cooling bills, and sometimes handle an energy crisis or shutoff. Here's what it is and how to find your local program.
Published June 4, 2026
If utility bills are the thing pushing your budget over the edge, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) exists for exactly that. It's a federally funded program that helps eligible households pay heating and cooling costs, and in many places handle an energy crisis like a shutoff notice. For older manufactured homes — which can be expensive to heat and cool — it can matter a lot. This article explains the basics. It is general information, not legal advice; eligibility and details are set by each state's program.
What LIHEAP does
LIHEAP generally helps with:
- Heating bills in winter and cooling bills in summer;
- Energy crisis assistance — help when service is shut off or about to be, where the state offers it; and
- In some states, weatherization or minor energy-related repairs (often coordinated with the separate Weatherization Assistance Program).
The money is federal, but each state, territory, or tribe runs its own version, so what's covered and how much you can get varies by where you live.
Who can qualify
LIHEAP is income-based. The federal government sets broad rules, but the specific income limits and priorities are set locally — many programs prioritize households with seniors, young children, or a person with a disability, and households already receiving certain benefits sometimes qualify automatically. Because the cutoffs vary, the only way to know is to check your local program.
How to apply
You apply through the local agency that runs LIHEAP in your area — commonly a state human-services department or a community action agency — not through the federal office. To find yours:
- Start at the LIHEAP Clearinghouse ("find help in your state") or the federal LIHEAP page;
- Call 211 to be pointed to the nearest intake office; and
- Apply early — funds are limited and can run out in peak heating and cooling seasons.
A note for park residents
If your utilities are billed through the park rather than directly by a utility, your local LIHEAP office can explain how that affects an application — the answer varies, and the FightMyPark article on submetering explains how park utility billing generally works.
Where to learn more
See the FightMyPark articles on the Weatherization Assistance Program, on help paying rent and lot rent, and on how parks bill for utilities. Call 211 or visit your state's LIHEAP page to find the local office, and apply before the busy season.
Frequently asked questions
- What does LIHEAP help pay for?
- LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps eligible low-income households with home energy costs — primarily heating and cooling bills. Many states also use it for energy crisis assistance (for example, a shutoff notice) and, in some places, weatherization or minor energy-related repairs. This is general information; check your state program for specifics.
- Who qualifies for LIHEAP?
- LIHEAP is income-based, but the exact income limits and rules are set by each state, territory, or tribe that runs the program — so eligibility varies by where you live. Households that receive certain other benefits may qualify automatically in some states. Check your local LIHEAP office for the current limits.
- How do I apply?
- You apply through the local agency that administers LIHEAP in your area — often a state human-services department or a community action agency, not the federal government directly. The LIHEAP Clearinghouse and your state's program page list where to apply. Apply early, since funds are limited and can run out during high-demand seasons.