LIHEAP: Understanding Energy Assistance and Your Options

LIHEAP helps qualifying households with heating, cooling, and energy bills, and this section of HowToGetAssistance.com brings together clear, practical articles explaining how it works. You’ll find straightforward breakdowns of who may be eligible, how applications typically work, what documents are often required, and how LIHEAP can connect with related utility or weatherization support so you can better manage your home energy costs.

These resources are designed to help you make informed, confident decisions about seeking help. By understanding common program rules, timelines, and alternatives if you’re denied or waitlisted, you can choose the right next step—whether that’s preparing an application, talking with your utility company, or exploring additional community resources to keep your home safe and affordable.

LIHEAP

LIHEAP Program

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federal program run locally by state and tribal energy assistance offices to help low-income households pay heating and cooling bills, prevent shutoffs, and sometimes fix unsafe heating systems. You don’t apply at your utility company or at Social Security; you typically apply through your state or local benefits/energy assistance agency.

LIHEAP

LIHEAP Program - Locations

If you need help paying your heating or cooling bill through LIHEAP, the first step is finding where you actually apply in your state or county. LIHEAP is a federal program, but it is run day-to-day by state and local benefits agencies and community action agencies, not by a single national office.

LIHEAP

LIHEAP Program Application

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps eligible households with heating or cooling bills and sometimes emergency shut‑off notices. To apply, you typically work through your state or local benefits agency or a community action agency that contracts with the state.