There is no single federal website for LIHEAP (the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program). Each state runs its own application, so applying online means going through your state's energy assistance portal, not a national one. Most states now accept LIHEAP applications online through a state-run system, though a handful still require a paper form mailed or dropped off at a local Community Action Agency. Income limits are generally capped at 150% of the federal poverty guidelines or 60% of the state median income, whichever is higher, and most households need proof of income, a recent utility bill, and identification for everyone in the home. Below is the full process: how to find your state's portal, what to gather before you start, what happens after you submit, and answers to the questions people ask most.
LIHEAP Is State-Run, Not a Single Federal System
LIHEAP is funded by a federal block grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, but the money is distributed to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, several U.S. territories, and more than 150 tribal organizations. Each grantee designs its own application, sets its own income limit within federal boundaries, and decides its own application window.
That means "applying for LIHEAP online" looks different depending on where you live:
- New Jersey applies through energyassistance.nj.gov
- Illinois applies through helpillinoisfamilies.com (DCEO)
- Arizona applies through the A-to-Z Arizona portal at atoz.az.gov
- Texas applies through the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs' online CEAP system or through a local Community Action Agency
- Pennsylvania applies through COMPASS (compass.state.pa.us)
- North Dakota applies through the state's Self-Service Portal (SSP)
If your state is not listed above, the fastest way to find your exact portal is to search "[your state] LIHEAP application" or call the National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) hotline at 1-866-674-6327, weekdays 9am to 7pm Eastern. NEAR can tell you whether your state has an online option and connect you to the local agency that processes applications where it does not.
How to Apply for LIHEAP Online: Step by Step
The exact screens differ by state, but the process follows the same basic path almost everywhere.
Step 1: Confirm you pay for heating or cooling
LIHEAP requires that you are directly responsible for a heating or cooling cost, either through a utility bill in your name or because it is built into your rent. If your landlord pays utilities and the cost is not passed through to you in any way, you typically will not qualify, though some states have exceptions for renters whose rent includes a disproportionate utility cost.
Step 2: Check your state's income limit
States set LIHEAP income limits no higher than 150% of the federal poverty guidelines or 60% of state median income, whichever produces a higher number. The federal government does not allow a state to set its limit below 110% of the federal poverty guidelines. See the income limit table below for your household size.
Step 3: Gather your documents before you start the online form
Most online applications time out after a period of inactivity, and nearly every state asks for the same core set of documents. Having these ready before you begin saves you from losing progress partway through:
| Document | Why it's needed |
|---|
| Government-issued photo ID | Confirms your identity as the applicant |
| Social Security numbers for everyone in the household | Required to verify household size and income |
| Proof of income for the last 30 days (or prior year, depending on state) | Pay stubs, Social Security award letter, unemployment statement, or most recent tax return |
| Current utility bill showing your account number | Needed so the benefit can be applied directly to your account |
| Proof of residence | Lease, mortgage statement, or a utility bill with your current address |
| Shutoff notice (if applying for crisis assistance) | Speeds up emergency processing in most states |
Step 4: Create an account on your state's portal
Most state systems (New Jersey's energyassistance.nj.gov, Illinois's helpillinoisfamilies.com, and similar platforms) require you to create a login with an email address before you can start an application. This lets you save your progress and check your status later, so use an email you check regularly.
Step 5: Complete the application and upload documents
The online form will ask for household composition, income for each household member, your utility provider and account number, and your housing situation. Most portals let you upload photos or scans of your documents directly rather than mailing them separately. Submit everything in one sitting if possible, since incomplete applications are usually what cause delays.
Step 6: Submit and save your confirmation number
After submission, you should receive a confirmation number or application ID. Write this down or screenshot the confirmation page. You will need it if you call to check your status or if you need to follow up with missing documents.
Step 7: Respond quickly to any request for more information
If your state's agency needs additional documentation, they will typically contact you by email, mail, or phone. Respond as fast as you can; a slow response is the most common reason an otherwise-approved application gets closed out before funding runs out.
LIHEAP Income Limits 2026
Federal rules cap state LIHEAP eligibility at 150% of the federal poverty guidelines or 60% of state median income, whichever is higher, and states may not set their limit below 110% of the federal poverty guidelines. As of the LIHEAP program year that began October 1, 2026, grantees are required to use the 2026 federal poverty guidelines for income-based eligibility. The table below shows annual income at 100%, 150%, and 200% of the 2026 guidelines for the 48 contiguous states and D.C. Many states set their limit at exactly 150%, though some use a state median income figure instead, which can be higher or lower depending on the state.
| Household Size | 100% FPL (2026) | 150% FPL (2026) | 200% FPL (2026) |
|---|
| 1 | $15,960 | $23,940 | $31,920 |
| 2 | $21,640 | $32,460 | $43,280 |
| 3 | $27,320 | $40,980 | $54,640 |
| 4 | $33,000 | $49,500 | $66,000 |
| 5 | $38,680 | $58,020 | $77,360 |
| 6 | $44,360 | $66,540 | $88,720 |
| 7 | $50,040 | $75,060 | $100,080 |
| 8 | $55,720 | $83,580 | $111,440 |
Alaska and Hawaii use higher guideline amounts because their cost of living is factored into the federal poverty guidelines separately. States that use 60% of state median income instead of a poverty-level cutoff, which tends to be most common in states with higher average wages, often land well above these figures. Check your specific state's published limit before assuming you don't qualify based on this table alone.
What LIHEAP Covers and How Payment Works
LIHEAP benefits are not typically sent to you as a check. In almost every state, the payment goes directly to your utility company, fuel provider, or landlord on your behalf, and it shows up as a credit on your account. The benefit types include:
- Heating or cooling assistance: A seasonal payment toward your heating bill (usually available October through March or April) or cooling bill (usually June through September, where offered).
- Crisis assistance: Emergency, faster-turnaround help for households facing an active shutoff notice, no heat during winter, or no cooling during a heat emergency. Crisis assistance often has a separate, sometimes higher, income limit and a shorter processing time than the regular program.
- Weatherization and minor home repairs: Some states use a portion of LIHEAP funds for furnace repair, replacement of broken heating equipment, or basic weatherization that reduces future energy costs.
Benefit amounts vary widely by state, household size, type of heating fuel, and climate, and typically range from a few hundred dollars to over $1,000 a year.
When to Apply
Most states open their LIHEAP program year on October 1 or November 1 and run through the following spring, though exact dates vary and funding is limited. Several states prioritize households with an elderly member, a person with a disability, or young children in the first weeks of the application period. Because funding runs out before the official closing date in many states, applying as early in your state's window as possible gives you the best chance of being approved before money is exhausted.
If you already have a shutoff notice or no working heat or air conditioning, say so on the application. Crisis assistance is processed faster than standard applications in nearly every state, sometimes within days rather than weeks.
What Happens After You Submit Your Application
Processing times vary by state and by how much funding remains, but most applications take anywhere from a few days to six weeks. During this time:
- Your application is reviewed for completeness and income eligibility.
- The agency may contact you if a document is missing or unclear.
- Once approved, the benefit is typically sent directly to your utility company or fuel provider and applied to your account, not mailed to you.
- You should receive a notice (by mail, email, or through your online account) confirming your approval, the benefit amount, and when it was applied.
If your application is denied, most states provide a written reason and an appeal process. Contact your local Community Action Agency or your state's LIHEAP office if you believe the denial was made in error or your circumstances have changed since you applied.
What If Your State Doesn't Offer an Online Application
A small number of states and tribal grantees still require paper applications submitted by mail or in person at a local Community Action Agency. If that's the case where you live:
- Call 211 or the NEAR hotline (1-866-674-6327) to find your nearest local agency.
- Ask whether you can start the process by phone, since some agencies will mail you a pre-filled application once you've given them basic household information.
- Bring the same documents listed in the table above; paper applications require the same proof, just submitted differently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there one national website to apply for LIHEAP?
No. LIHEAP is funded by a federal block grant but administered entirely by states, territories, and tribal organizations. There is no single federal LIHEAP application. The LIHEAP Clearinghouse (liheapch.acf.gov) and the NEAR hotline (1-866-674-6327) can direct you to your state's specific portal or local agency.
Can I apply for LIHEAP online if I rent my home?
Yes, as long as you are responsible for some portion of your heating or cooling cost, either through a utility bill in your name or a utility charge built into your rent. If your landlord covers utilities entirely with no pass-through cost to you, you generally do not qualify, though exceptions exist in some states.
How long does it take to hear back after applying online?
Most states process applications within a few days to six weeks, depending on funding levels and application volume. Crisis assistance applications, for households facing an active shutoff or no working heat or cooling, are usually processed faster, sometimes within days.
What income counts toward the LIHEAP limit?
Most states count gross income from all household members, including wages, Social Security, unemployment benefits, and most other regular income sources before taxes. Some states use the prior month's income, while others use the prior year's. Check your state's specific instructions, since this detail varies.
Can I apply for LIHEAP more than once a year?
Most states allow one regular heating or cooling benefit per program year, but a separate crisis benefit may be available if your situation changes, such as a shutoff notice arriving after your regular application was already processed. Check with your local agency about whether a second application is possible in your situation.
Do I need to reapply every year?
Yes. LIHEAP is not an ongoing benefit. You need to submit a new application each program year, even if you received assistance the year before, because income, household size, and available funding can all change.
What if I missed the application deadline in my state?
Many states have a cutoff date, but most also stop accepting new applications earlier than that cutoff once funding runs out. If you missed your state's window, ask your local Community Action Agency about crisis assistance funds, which sometimes remain available even after the regular program closes, or about other energy assistance programs your utility company may offer directly.
