LIHEAP: help paying for power, gas and heat

When the electric or gas bill goes up, many families have to choose between paying for the service or for food. This guide is for anyone who needs help with those bills: it explains what LIHEAPLIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program)LIHEAP (the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) is a federally funded program that helps with home energy costs, such as heating and cooling. According to the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), it can help with bills, energy crises, preventing shutoffs or reconnecting service, weatherization and minor energy-related repairs. It targets low-income households with a high energy burden or with members who are elderly, disabled or young children. You apply through your local LIHEAP office, and the program does not charge a fee for help.See the full definitionClose is, who qualifies, how to apply in your state, what to do if you already got a shutoff notice and how free weatherization can lower your bills every month.

Maximum time to get crisis help if you qualify

48 hours³

If losing service puts a life in danger

18 hours³

National hotline to find your LIHEAP office

(866) 674-6327⁴

Of the poverty guidelines, the general income limit for weatherization (WAP)

Up to 200%⁵

What LIHEAP is and what it pays for

LIHEAP is the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. USAGov explains that it can help you pay heating or cooling bills or get emergency services during an energy crisis, and that depending on where you live you may also get help with your electric bill.¹

The money is federal, but each state runs its own program. The law says states use those funds for three things: helping with home energy costs, especially for the lowest-income households that spend a high share of income on energy; intervening in energy crises; and paying for low-cost weatherization and energy-related home repairs.²

Often the state pays the utility directly. In that case, the law requires that you be told how much was paid for you, that the utility bill you only for the difference and that no one treat you worse because you receive the help.²

Three kinds of help

LIHEAP

Help with the bill

• Help with heating, cooling and, depending on the state, electricity.¹
• More help for those who earn least and spend most on energy.²

Urgent

Crisis help

• For a shutoff notice or an energy emergency.⁷
• The law requires help within 48 hours, or 18 if life is in danger.³

WAP

Weatherization

• Free improvements so your home uses less energy.⁶
• For owners and renters, with a waitlist.⁵

You may need all three: help with the bill today and weatherization to spend less tomorrow.²

Who qualifies

Every state and territory has its own requirements, but all are based on income.¹ Federal law sets the frame: a state may only help households in which someone receives TANF, SSI (Supplemental Security Income), SNAP (food stamps) or certain veterans’ payments, or households whose income is no higher than the greater of two limits: 150% of the state’s poverty level or 60% of state median income. And it may not exclude a household solely on income if it earns less than 110% of the poverty level.²

Within that frame, the state decides. Illinois, for example, sets its limit each year based on funding, never above 60% of state median income.¹⁰ The law asks states to give the most help to households with the lowest incomes and highest energy costs, taking family size into account, and to reach out especially to households with older or disabled members.²

Do you rent? The law requires states to treat owners and renters equitably.² If you live in federally assisted housing and pay some or all of your heating out of pocket, you cannot be automatically denied LIHEAP because you receive a utility allowance, although the state may consider it when setting the amount.²

How to apply in your state

From the first call to getting help

1. 1. Find your local office

   Today

   Call the national energy referral hotline or 211 if you do not know where it is.⁴

2. 2. Check your state's requirements

   Before you go

   Eligibility is based on income, but each state has its own rules.¹

3. 3. Gather your papers

   Before the appointment

   ID, proof of income, your lease and whatever your state asks for.¹¹

4. 4. Apply

   As soon as the program opens

   Some places let you apply online; others require you to go in person.¹

5. 5. If a shutoff is coming, ask for crisis help

   With the notice in hand

   The law requires a response within 48 hours, or 18 if life is in danger.³

6. 6. If you are denied, ask for a hearing

   After the decision

   The law gives you the right to a fair hearing if you are denied or get no timely answer.²

If you do not know where your office is, the CFPB points to two routes: the National Energy Assistance Referral Hotline, (866) 674-6327, and 211, from a cell phone or landline.⁴ Some examples of how it works in different states:

• Texas: the program is called CEAP and is run by local providers that cover all 254 counties.⁹ The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) does not take applications from individuals: on its “Help for Texans” page you choose the type of help and your city or county, and it lists organizations; some may be out of funds.⁸
• California: CSD offers one-time help with the bill (HEAP), crisis help (ECIP) and free weatherization through local providers.⁷
• Illinois: there is a list of agencies by county, and the Help Illinois Families call center answers at 1-833-711-0374.¹⁰
• North Carolina: households with someone 60 or older, or with disabled people receiving services through the Division of Aging, sign up December 1-31; everyone else from January 1 through March 31 or until funds run out.¹¹

If you already got a shutoff notice: crisis help

Do not wait for the shutoff date. Federal law requires each state’s crisis program to provide some form of help that resolves the crisis no later than 48 hours after an eligible household applies, and no later than 18 hours if the household is in a life-threatening situation.³ In California, the crisis program (ECIP) gives the example of a household that receives a 24-48 hour disconnect notice.⁷

Each state has different rules on when utilities can disconnect electricity or gas for non-payment; they may depend on the current weather and on which utility you have.¹ The guide on utility shutoffs explains those notices and protections. If your landlord cut the service to force you out, that is a different problem: read the guide on illegal lockouts and utility shutoffs.

Weatherization: spending less every month

The Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) reduces energy costs for low-income households by making their homes more energy efficient, while ensuring their health and safety.⁶ Under DOE guidelines, households with incomes up to 200% of the poverty guidelines or receiving SSI qualify, and each state may use the LIHEAP limit of 60% of state median income. Priority goes to older adults, families with a member with a disability, families with children and high energy users. Both owners and renters can apply.⁵

How it works: you find your state administrator and local provider, who will ask for proof of income for the prior year, such as pay stubs or Social Security payments. If you qualify, you go on a waitlist. If you rent, the provider works with you and your landlord to get permission. Before the work, an auditor inspects your home and runs an air-leak test.⁵ USAGov also points you to your state’s WAP office.¹

Other help: utility discounts and 211

LIHEAP is not the only help. In California, CSD lists programs run by the utilities: CARE, a 30-35% discount on the bill; FERA, for families earning a bit more than the CARE limit; and a no-cost weatherization program (ESA) for those who meet CARE guidelines. To sign up, call your electric utility.⁷

In any state, 211 helps you find resources for rent or utility bills, and some HUD-approved housing counseling agencies offer free or low-cost rental counseling (800-569-4287).⁴ A housing counselorHUD-approved housing counselorA HUD-approved housing counselor works at an agency HUD has approved to provide housing counseling: independent, expert advice customized to your situation about buying a home, renting, a missed mortgage payment, a foreclosure or credit problems. The agencies usually charge little or nothing; many serve in Spanish and offer the homebuyer education course several assistance programs require. They are not lenders or real estate agents and sell you nothing. Your county page lists the official agencies with phone numbers.See the full definitionClose can help you build a plan. The guide on what to do if you can’t pay your rent gathers housing help, and the family budget guide helps you sort out the month’s expenses.

If you are denied

Funds are limited. In California, CSD warns that some eligible households may not get a benefit so that those with the greatest need come first,⁷ and in Texas providers may be out of funds.⁸ That is why it pays to apply as soon as the program opens.

If you are denied or do not get an answer with reasonable promptness, federal law requires the state to give you the opportunity for a fair administrative hearing.² Illinois, for example, publishes an appeal rights poster.¹⁰ Ask for the decision in writing and how to appeal.

If this is you

You are an older adult

The law asks states to reach households with older members first, and in North Carolina they sign up earlier, in December.²¹¹

You rent and the power bill is in your name

Owners and renters must be treated equitably.² For weatherization, the provider asks your landlord for permission.⁵

Your family has mixed immigration status

Some states require at least one household member to meet citizenship or status rules.¹¹ Talk to a DOJ-accredited representative before you decide.

Your service will be cut in days

Ask for crisis help with the notice in hand: the law requires a response within 48 hours, or 18 if there is danger.³

Costly mistakes

• Mistake: Waiting until the shutoff date to ask for help.

  Instead: Ask for crisis help as soon as the notice arrives.³

• Mistake: Thinking you cannot get LIHEAP because you rent.

  Instead: Owners and renters must be treated equitably.²

• Mistake: Applying late in the season.

  Instead: Funds run out: apply as soon as your state's program opens.¹¹

• Mistake: Taking a no without asking questions.

  Instead: Ask for the decision in writing and a hearing if you are denied.²

• Mistake: Stopping at this month's help.

  Instead: Also ask for weatherization so you spend less every month.⁶

What to do this week

1. Call the National Energy Assistance Referral Hotline, (866) 674-6327, or 211 to find your LIHEAP office.⁴
2. Ask which requirements and documents your state needs and when applications open.¹
3. Gather your latest bill, proof of your household’s income and the shutoff notice if you have one.¹¹
4. If a shutoff is coming, ask for crisis help and say whether anyone at home is sick or in danger.³
5. Ask about weatherization (WAP) and, if you rent, let your landlord know you will need their permission.⁵
6. If you are denied, ask for the decision in writing and a hearing; a HUD-approved housing counselor can help you with a plan.²⁴