LIHEAP Eligibility Guide: How to Get Help Paying Your Energy Bill
Quick Answers
Who runs LIHEAP?
It's federally funded but administered by each state, territory, and many tribes individually, so rules and application windows vary by location.
What income qualifies?
Eligibility thresholds vary by state but are generally tied to a percentage of the federal poverty level or area median income — check your state's specific LIHEAP office for exact figures.
Does LIHEAP cover cooling as well as heating?
Many states include both heating and cooling assistance, though the balance of funding varies by state and climate.
What LIHEAP actually covers
LIHEAP can help with bill payment assistance, energy crisis intervention, and in some states, minor weatherization repairs, depending on state program design.
Why this program is underused relative to eligibility
A meaningful share of eligible households never apply, often because they don't realize they qualify, especially if their income has recently changed.
How to find your state's program
Every state runs its own LIHEAP office; if your calculated energy burden is above 6%, checking your eligibility is one of the highest-value 15-minute tasks available to a stretched household budget.
Want to see where you personally stand? Check your own CCM Energy Score, free and takes under a minute.