Tennessee's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps households with low incomes pay their energy bills. Managed by the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) and delivered through 19 local Community Action Agencies (CAAs) across all 95 counties, the program pays your utility provider directly, so you never handle the funds yourself. If your household earns at or below 60% of the State Median Income, you may qualify for between $174 and $750 in energy assistance for the 2025-2026 program year.
What Tennessee LIHEAP Covers
Tennessee LIHEAP offers three types of assistance, each designed for a different situation.
Heating Assistance runs October 1 through April 30 each year. The program makes a one-time payment to your heating utility or fuel supplier to help offset winter energy costs. Households pay nothing out of pocket for the benefit itself.
Cooling Assistance runs May 1 through September 30. It works the same way as heating assistance but applies to summer electric bills or cooling equipment costs.
Crisis Assistance is available year-round. If your power is about to be shut off, you have already lost service, or you have run out of fuel in cold weather, crisis assistance can help on an expedited basis. Households facing a utility shutoff receive priority for available crisis funds. Crisis assistance has a maximum benefit of $750.
In addition, Tennessee separately administers a Weatherization Assistance Program through the U.S. Department of Energy. Weatherization is not the same as LIHEAP, but households at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level may qualify for home improvements such as insulation, weather stripping, and caulking that reduce energy costs over the long term. Ask your local CAA whether you qualify for weatherization when you apply for LIHEAP.
Tennessee LIHEAP Benefit Amounts
Benefit amounts are not flat. THDA calculates each household's assistance based on energy burden, which means higher-burden households can receive more. For the 2025-2026 program year, heating and cooling benefits range from $174 to $750, and crisis assistance maxes out at $750. The total benefit for a single program year is capped by the energy burden calculation your local agency completes during intake.
Payments go directly from the LIHEAP agency to your utility company or fuel supplier. No check is issued to you.
Tennessee LIHEAP Income Limits 2026
To qualify, your household's gross monthly income must fall at or below 60% of the State Median Income for your household size. There is no asset test in Tennessee, meaning savings accounts and property are not counted against you.
The income limits below are approximate 2025-2026 figures based on federal State Median Income calculations. Always verify the current limits with your local LIHEAP agency or at thda.org.
| Household Size | Gross Monthly Income Limit | Gross Annual Income Limit |
|---|
| 1 person | $2,671 | $32,052 |
| 2 people | $3,492 | $41,904 |
| 3 people | $4,314 | $51,768 |
| 4 people | $5,136 | $61,632 |
| 5 people | $5,958 | $71,496 |
| 6 people | $6,780 | $81,360 |
For households larger than 6 people, the limit increases by approximately $822 per additional person per month. Income is counted for everyone living in the home who shares the same utility bill, including roommates.
Who Qualifies for Tennessee LIHEAP
To be eligible, you must:
- Live in Tennessee and be responsible for paying your home energy costs (either directly on a bill or included in your rent)
- Have household gross income at or below 60% of the State Median Income
- Be a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen
Priority is given to households with the highest energy burden, meaning those spending the largest share of their income on energy. Tennessee also prioritizes households that include elderly members (age 60 or older), people with disabilities, and young children under age 6.
Renters can qualify if energy costs are factored into your rent, but your landlord may need to provide documentation. Both homeowners and renters are eligible.
There is no asset limit. You do not need to report savings, a car, or a home you own to qualify.
How to Apply for Tennessee LIHEAP in 2026
Applications for the 2025-2026 program year opened on November 3, 2025 through the THDA online portal. The process is fully online.
Step 1: Set up an email account.
You need a valid email address to create a LIHEAP portal account. If you do not have one, free options include Gmail or Outlook.
Step 2: Create an account at the THDA LIHEAP portal.
Go to thda.smartsimple.us and register using your email address. You will receive a confirmation email.
Step 3: Complete the application.
Log in and fill out personal and financial information for every person in your household. The application covers income, household size, energy provider details, and household characteristics.
Step 4: Upload required documents.
You will need to upload supporting documents before your application can be processed. Required documents typically include:
- Photo ID for the applicant (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
- Social Security numbers or cards for all household members
- Proof of income for all household members (recent pay stubs, award letters for Social Security or disability benefits, or a self-employment statement)
- A recent utility bill showing your account number and service address
- Proof of Tennessee residency (a current utility bill or lease often satisfies this)
Step 5: Wait for your local CAA to process your application.
After submission, your application goes to the CAA serving your county. An agency caseworker reviews your file, verifies documents, and calculates your benefit. Processing times vary by agency and available funding.
Step 6: Benefit paid to your utility provider.
If approved, THDA pays your energy provider directly. You will receive a notice of your benefit amount.
If you need help completing the online application, contact your local Community Action Agency. Staff at local CAAs can guide you through the portal and help you gather documents.
Finding Your Local Tennessee LIHEAP Agency
THDA contracts with 19 local agencies to process applications across all 95 Tennessee counties. Your county determines which agency handles your case. A few examples:
- East Tennessee Human Resource Agency (ETHRA) serves Anderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Morgan, Scott, and Union counties. Phone: 865-691-2551. Email: LIHEAP@ethra.org.
- Knoxville Knox County CAC serves Knox County. Visit knoxcac.org for local contact details.
- Chattanooga residents apply through the City of Chattanooga energy assistance program at chattanooga.gov.
- South Central Human Resource Agency (SCHRA) covers south-central Tennessee counties.
To find your specific agency, use THDA's agency locator on the LIHEAP page at thda.org.
2026 Funding Situation
Tennessee LIHEAP funding has experienced disruption in 2026. Due to federal government budget issues, Tennessee did not immediately receive its full FFY 2026 LIHEAP allocation. Local agencies began accepting applications and placing eligible households on a waiting list, with crisis cases receiving the highest priority as funds became available.
If you applied and were placed on a waiting list, check back with your local agency for updates. Crisis situations involving an active shutoff notice or lack of heat in cold weather should always be reported to your local CAA immediately, regardless of general waitlist status.
Combining LIHEAP With Other Tennessee Benefits
LIHEAP is often just one piece of the puzzle for households managing tight budgets. Tennessee residents who qualify for LIHEAP may also be eligible for:
- SNAP (food assistance through the Tennessee Department of Human Services)
- TennCare (Tennessee's Medicaid program for health coverage)
- WIC (nutrition support for pregnant women, new mothers, and young children)
- Lifeline (a federal discount on phone or internet service)
Use our free eligibility screener to check which programs you may qualify for based on your household size and income. It takes about two minutes and covers 11 programs at once.
You can also visit our Tennessee benefits guide for a full overview of state and federal assistance programs available to Tennessee residents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income limit for Tennessee LIHEAP in 2026?
The income limit is 60% of the State Median Income for your household size. For a single-person household, the gross monthly income limit is approximately $2,671. For a family of four, it is approximately $5,136 per month. There is no asset test.
How much money does Tennessee LIHEAP give you?
Benefits range from $174 to $750 depending on your household's energy burden. Crisis assistance also maxes out at $750. Funds go directly to your utility provider, not to you.
When does Tennessee LIHEAP open for 2026 applications?
Applications for the 2025-2026 program year opened November 3, 2025, through the THDA online portal. Heating assistance runs through April 30, cooling assistance runs through September 30, and crisis assistance is available year-round.
Can renters apply for Tennessee LIHEAP?
Yes. Renters can apply if energy costs are included in their rent or if they pay a utility bill directly. Your landlord may need to provide a letter confirming that energy costs are factored into your rent.
Does Tennessee LIHEAP cover both heating and cooling bills?
Yes. The program has separate heating and cooling components. Heating assistance is available October through April, and cooling assistance is available May through September. You can receive one benefit per program type per year.
What if I have an emergency and my power is about to be shut off?
Contact your local Community Action Agency immediately and request crisis assistance. Crisis cases are processed on an expedited basis and receive priority for available funds. Do not wait for a general application appointment.
Where do I apply for Tennessee LIHEAP?
Apply online at thda.smartsimple.us. If you need in-person help, contact the LIHEAP agency serving your county. THDA's website at thda.org lists all 19 local agencies by county.
How long does it take to get approved?
Processing times vary by county and available funding. Apply as early as possible, because LIHEAP funds are limited and some local agencies stop accepting applications when their allocation runs out.
Can I get LIHEAP and weatherization at the same time?
They are separate programs, but you can be referred to weatherization while applying for LIHEAP. Tennessee's weatherization program serves households at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level and provides home improvements that reduce long-term energy costs.
Is Tennessee LIHEAP the same as a utility assistance emergency fund?
No. LIHEAP is a federally funded program administered by the state and local agencies. Some utility companies and nonprofits also offer separate emergency funds. If LIHEAP funds are exhausted in your area, ask your utility company or local nonprofit if they have an emergency assistance fund you can access.
