For federal fiscal year 2027, LIHEAP eligibility will use the 2026 federal poverty guidelines that were published on January 15, 2026, which means the income limits for the 2026 to 2027 heating and cooling season are already largely set rather than being a guess. A household of four in the lower 48 states can qualify with income at or below roughly $49,500 per year, the figure that equals 150 percent of the federal poverty level. Actual limits vary by state because each state sets its own threshold within the federal rules. On the funding side, Congress is again moving to hold LIHEAP roughly flat at about $4.05 billion for FY2027, even though the administration's budget request proposed eliminating the program.
This article breaks down the projected 2027 income limits by household size, explains the two-part eligibility formula, and lays out where the FY2027 appropriations fight stands as of mid-2026.
How LIHEAP Income Limits Are Set
LIHEAP is the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. It helps households pay heating and cooling bills, and in many states it also covers weatherization and emergency energy crisis assistance. The federal government sends block grants to states, tribes, and territories, and each state runs its own program with its own income cutoff.
Federal law sets the boundaries every state must work within. A state can make a household eligible based on income if that income does not exceed the greater of:
- 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines (FPG) for that state, or
- 60 percent of the state median income (SMI) for that state.
States cannot set the limit lower than 110 percent of the federal poverty level. Many states use 150 percent FPL. Others use the 60 percent SMI figure, which is often higher and lets more households qualify. States can also add categorical eligibility, meaning a household automatically qualifies if someone already receives SNAP, SSI, TANF, or certain other benefits.
The rule for 2027 comes from an ACF policy document known as LIHEAP IM2026-01. It sets the 2026 poverty guidelines and updated state median income estimates as optional for FY2026 and mandatory for FY2027. That is the key detail behind any "2027 projected income limits" question: the numbers below are not speculation, they are the figures LIHEAP programs must use in FY2027.
Projected 2027 LIHEAP Income Limits (150% FPL)
The table below shows 150 percent of the 2026 federal poverty guidelines, the annual income figures that anchor LIHEAP eligibility for FY2027 in states that use the FPL standard. These apply to the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C.
| Household Size | 150% FPL Annual Income |
|---|
| 1 | $23,940 |
| 2 | $32,460 |
| 3 | $40,980 |
| 4 | $49,500 |
| 5 | $58,020 |
| 6 | $66,540 |
| 7 | $75,060 |
| 8 | $83,580 |
| Each additional person | Add $8,520 |
Alaska and Hawaii use higher guidelines because of their higher cost of living.
Alaska (150% FPL Annual)
| Household Size | Annual Income |
|---|
| 1 | $29,925 |
| 2 | $40,575 |
| 3 | $51,225 |
| 4 | $61,875 |
| Each additional person | Add $10,650 |
Hawaii (150% FPL Annual)
| Household Size | Annual Income |
|---|
| 1 | $27,540 |
| 2 | $37,335 |
| 3 | $47,130 |
| 4 | $56,925 |
| Each additional person | Add $9,795 |
Remember that these are the federal ceilings tied to 150 percent FPL. Your state may use a lower percentage (down to 110 percent) or the 60 percent SMI figure instead. If your income is above the FPL numbers here, do not assume you are ineligible. Check your state's specific limit, because the SMI figure is frequently higher.
60% State Median Income: The Other Path to Eligibility
Because the federal rule uses "whichever is greater," a household that is over 150 percent FPL can still qualify in states that apply the 60 percent SMI standard. State median income is exactly what it sounds like: the midpoint income for a family of a given size in that state. Sixty percent of that number is often well above 150 percent of the poverty level, especially for larger households in higher-income states.
For example, a four-person household in a higher-cost state might face a 60 percent SMI limit closer to $55,000 to $70,000 per year, above the $49,500 FPL figure. The updated SMI estimates for FY2027 are part of the same IM2026-01 guidance, and states that use them will publish their exact dollar cutoffs before the heating season opens.
The practical takeaway: two households with identical income can get different answers depending on which state they live in and which standard that state uses. This is why a screening step matters more than a single national number.
LIHEAP Funding for 2027: Where It Stands
Funding is a separate question from eligibility, and it is where the 2027 picture is less settled.
For FY2026, LIHEAP was funded at approximately $4.05 billion. That included a period of delay: the Office of Management and Budget held back the final 10 percent, about $421 million, for months before releasing it to states on April 20, 2026.
For FY2027, two things are happening at once:
- The administration's FY2027 budget request again proposed eliminating LIHEAP entirely, the same position it took for FY2026.
- Congress is pushing back. The House Appropriations Committee approved a draft that would increase LIHEAP by $10 million to roughly $4.055 billion, keeping it essentially flat.
LIHEAP has broad bipartisan support in Congress even when an administration targets it for cuts. House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole has said he opposes eliminating the program. The same dynamic played out for FY2026: the program was proposed for elimination, and Congress ended up funding it above the prior year.
As of mid-2026, the appropriations process is not final. The numbers can still change before Congress passes a full-year spending bill, and short-term continuing resolutions could keep funding at prior-year levels in the meantime. The realistic base case for 2027 is level funding around $4.05 billion, with the small risk of a lapse or reduction if the budget fight drags on.
What Funding Levels Mean for Applicants
Flat federal funding does not mean every applicant gets the same benefit. States distribute their block grant using a formula that accounts for weather, energy costs, and the size of their low-income population. New York, California, and Pennsylvania receive the largest shares. When demand is high or a winter is severe, states can run out of funds before the season ends, which is why applying early matters regardless of the national total.
How to Prepare to Apply for LIHEAP in 2027
Applications for the 2026 to 2027 season generally open in the fall. Here is how to get ready.
- Confirm your state's income limit. Look up whether your state uses 150 percent FPL, a lower FPL percentage, or 60 percent SMI. The tables above are the FPL ceiling, not necessarily your state's exact cutoff.
- Gather income documents. Most states ask for recent pay stubs, Social Security or pension statements, and unemployment records covering the last one to three months.
- Collect energy bills. Have a recent heating or electric bill showing your account number and provider.
- Have identity and household documents ready. A photo ID, Social Security numbers or documentation for household members, and proof of address are commonly required.
- Check for categorical eligibility. If you already receive SNAP, SSI, or TANF, you may qualify automatically and face a shorter application.
- Apply early and ask about crisis assistance. If you have a shutoff notice or no fuel, ask specifically about the energy crisis component, which is handled faster than a regular benefit.
Applications are usually filed through your state's LIHEAP office, a local community action agency, or an online state portal. Search for your state name plus "LIHEAP" to find the official application page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the projected LIHEAP income limits for 2027?
For FY2027, LIHEAP programs must use the 2026 federal poverty guidelines. In the 48 contiguous states, 150 percent of the poverty level is about $23,940 for one person and $49,500 for a family of four. Your state may use a lower percentage or the 60 percent state median income figure, which is often higher, so check your state's exact cutoff.
Is LIHEAP funded for 2027?
The appropriations process is ongoing as of mid-2026. The administration proposed eliminating LIHEAP in its FY2027 budget request, but the House Appropriations Committee approved a draft that would raise funding by $10 million to roughly $4.055 billion. Congress has repeatedly rejected past elimination proposals, so level funding near $4.05 billion is the realistic base case.
Can I qualify for LIHEAP if my income is above 150% of the poverty level?
Possibly. Federal law uses whichever is greater between 150 percent of the poverty level and 60 percent of state median income. In states that apply the SMI standard, the income cutoff is often higher than the FPL figure, so households above 150 percent FPL can still qualify. Categorical eligibility through SNAP, SSI, or TANF can also open the door.
When do LIHEAP applications open for the 2026 to 2027 season?
Most states open applications in the fall, often between October and December, though exact dates vary. Crisis and emergency assistance may be available on a rolling basis. Because funds are limited and can run out, applying as early as your state allows is the safest approach.
Why do LIHEAP income limits differ from state to state?
Federal law sets a floor of 110 percent FPL and a ceiling of the greater of 150 percent FPL or 60 percent SMI. Within that range, each state chooses its own threshold and eligibility rules. That is why the same income can qualify in one state and not in another.
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