How to Use the LIHEAP Program to Get Help With Energy Bills

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.

What LIHEAP Actually Covers (and What It Doesn’t)

LIHEAP is designed to help with home energy costs, not general living expenses. It usually supports:

  • Heating or cooling bills (electric, gas, oil, propane, or other fuels).
  • Crisis help if you are disconnected or have a shutoff notice.
  • Limited weatherization or furnace repair/replacement in some states.

LIHEAP does not usually cover:

  • Past-due rent or mortgage (unless bundled with a special state program).
  • Phone, internet, or cable bills.
  • Security deposits or moving costs.

Benefit amounts, income limits, and which utilities are covered vary by state and tribe, so the exact help you can get depends on where you live and your household situation.

Key terms to know:

  • LIHEAP agency — The state, county, tribal, or community action office that takes LIHEAP applications and approves benefits.
  • Crisis assistance — Extra help for emergencies like a shutoff notice, empty oil tank, or non-working furnace in dangerous weather.
  • Benefit season — The time of year when your state accepts LIHEAP applications (often fall–spring).
  • Vendor — Your utility or fuel company that actually receives the LIHEAP payment on your behalf.

Where and How to Apply for LIHEAP

You always apply through an official government-connected office, not through private “fee” sites or social media offers.

In most places, LIHEAP is handled by one of these:

  • State energy assistance office (often part of the Department of Human Services or Department of Social Services).
  • Local community action agency contracted by the state to run LIHEAP intake.
  • Tribal LIHEAP office if you are a member of, or live in housing managed by, a federally recognized tribe.

Your first concrete action today:
Search for your state or tribal government’s official “LIHEAP” or “energy assistance” portal and locate:

  • The application form (online or printable).
  • The phone number and street address for your local intake office.
  • The application period and any crisis-only hours.

Look for websites and email addresses ending in .gov or clearly identified tribal government pages to avoid scams. If you’re unsure which office is correct, call your state or county human services/benefits office and say: “I need to apply for LIHEAP energy assistance. Which office handles that in this county?”

What to Prepare Before You Apply

Most delays happen because documents are missing or incomplete, so it helps to gather your paperwork before you submit anything.

Documents you’ll typically need:

  • Proof of identity and household members, such as a driver’s license or state ID, and Social Security cards or numbers for everyone in the home, if available.
  • Proof of income for the last 30–60 days for all adults in the household (pay stubs, unemployment benefit letters, Social Security award letters, pension statements, or self-employment records).
  • Recent energy bills, such as your most recent electric or gas bill showing your name, account number, service address, and any shutoff notice if you have one.

Some LIHEAP programs also commonly require:

  • Lease or mortgage statement to confirm your address and who is responsible for utilities.
  • Proof of non-cash assistance (like SNAP or TANF) if they count toward income rules.
  • Fuel delivery invoices or tank fill slips if you use oil, propane, or wood and don’t have a monthly utility bill.

If you don’t have a particular document (for example, you lost your ID or get paid in cash), ask the LIHEAP agency what alternative proof they accept; they often allow employer letters, benefit printouts, or self-declaration forms in some situations.

Step-by-Step: Applying for LIHEAP and What Happens Next

1. Identify your correct LIHEAP office

Find the official state or tribal LIHEAP information page by searching for your state’s name plus “LIHEAP energy assistance” and confirming it’s a government or tribal site. Use their “Find your local office” or “Contact us” section to identify the exact county/tribal/community action office that handles your application.

What to expect next: You’ll see which application methods they accept: online portal, mail, drop-off box, or in-person appointment.

2. Check if the application period is open (and if you qualify)

On the official site or by calling, find out:

  • Application dates for regular LIHEAP benefits.
  • Whether crisis assistance is available year-round or only during extreme weather.
  • The income guidelines and any priority groups (elderly, disabled, families with young children).

What to expect next: If the season is open and you appear to meet income rules, you can move to the application step; if it’s closed, they may tell you when to apply next and whether emergency help is still possible.

3. Gather all required documents

Use the list above and your state’s specific instructions to collect:

  • ID and Social Security cards/numbers.
  • Last 30–60 days of income documents for everyone in the household.
  • Most recent utility/fuel bills and any shutoff or disconnection notices.

Make clear copies or photos if you’ll apply online or by mail, and keep originals for yourself.

What to expect next: Having everything ready usually makes your intake appointment or online submission faster and reduces the chance they will put your case on hold for missing items.

4. Submit your application through the official channel

Depending on your state or tribal LIHEAP setup, you will typically:

  • Apply online: Create an account on the official benefits or LIHEAP portal, answer questions about your household and income, and upload your documents.
  • Apply by phone/appointment: Call the local LIHEAP or community action agency to schedule an intake appointment (phone or in-person), then bring or send documents as instructed.
  • Apply by mail or drop box: Print or pick up an application form, fill it out completely, sign it, and mail or drop it off with copies of your documents at the address on the form.

If you call, a basic script can be: “I’d like to apply for LIHEAP to help with my energy bill. Can you tell me how to submit an application and what documents I should bring?”

What to expect next: You should receive a confirmation number, receipt, or appointment summary. In crisis situations, they may do a same-day or next-day intake, but approval and payment still usually take time, and no outcome is guaranteed.

5. Wait for review, respond to follow-ups, and watch your bill

After you apply, the LIHEAP agency typically:

  • Reviews your application and documents to confirm income, household size, and utility account information.
  • May call or mail you asking for additional documents or clarification.
  • Makes a decision on your eligibility and benefit amount based on program rules and available funding.

If you’re approved:

  • The benefit is almost always paid directly to your utility or fuel vendor, not to you.
  • You might see a credit on your bill or your vendor might call you to confirm the payment is pending.
  • You’ll usually receive a notice of approval stating the benefit amount and which account it was sent to.

If you’re denied:

  • You should get a written denial notice with the reason (for example, income too high, missing documents, or out of season) and instructions on how to appeal or reapply.

Real-world friction to watch for

Real-world friction to watch for: A common problem is that applications stall because the LIHEAP office requested extra documents and the household never sees or responds to the notice. To avoid this, check your mail, voicemail, and email frequently for 7–14 days after applying, and if you haven’t heard anything, call your LIHEAP office and ask whether they need any additional information to finish your case.

Scam Warnings and Legitimate Help Options

Because LIHEAP involves money and utility accounts, scammers sometimes pose as “energy assistance” helpers, especially online.

To protect yourself:

  • Do not pay fees to “expedite” your LIHEAP case; legitimate LIHEAP applications are normally free.
  • Only share documents or Social Security numbers with official government or recognized community action agencies, and confirm their contact information from a .gov site or state/tribal directory.
  • Be cautious of anyone contacting you first by text or social media offering “guaranteed grants” or promising a specific dollar amount.

For extra, legitimate help:

  • Call your local community action agency; they often run LIHEAP intake and may also know about other utility assistance, like fuel funds or local charity programs.
  • Contact your utility company’s customer service and ask about payment plans, budget billing, or company-sponsored assistance programs while your LIHEAP application is pending.
  • If you’re struggling with forms or language, ask the LIHEAP or human services office whether they have interpreters or onsite navigators who can help you complete the application.

Once you’ve located your state or tribal LIHEAP office, gathered your ID, income proof, and recent utility bills, and submitted an application through the official channel, your next step is to watch for follow-up requests from the agency and monitor your utility account for any posted LIHEAP credits.