LIHEAP – Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

Learn LIHEAP eligibility, income guidelines, how to apply, check application status, and find the right LIHEAP phone number.

LIHEAP application: how to apply and who may qualify

LIHEAP stands for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

It is federally funded and administered by states, territories, and some tribal organizations.

That is why the application steps are similar, but the exact rules and timelines depend on where you live.

In most places, you apply through a local agency that partners with your state or territory.

Some states also offer an online portal, while others rely on phone, mail, or in-person submissions.

Step-by-step: how to apply for LIHEAP

1. Find your official local agency.Use the federal LIHEAP state and territory contact listing, or your state government’s energy assistance page.
2. Ask what type of help you should request.Many agencies offer heating assistance, cooling assistance, and crisis or emergency support when service is at risk.
3. Confirm the application window for your area.Some states accept applications seasonally, and some have special crisis options year-round.
4. Gather your documents before you submit.Having the basics ready can reduce back-and-forth and speed up review.
5. Submit your application through the method your agency prefers.If you submit online, save your confirmation page.If you submit by mail, keep a copy and note the date you sent it.
6. Follow up if you receive a request for more information.LIHEAP often moves faster when you respond quickly to verification requests.

Who LIHEAP is meant to help

LIHEAP is designed for households with low income that need help paying home energy costs.

Eligibility is based on income, household size, and additional state-specific rules.

Many programs also prioritize households facing higher risk, such as older adults, people with disabilities, and families with young children.

Because states administer LIHEAP, the final decision comes from your local agency.

So even if you are unsure, it is usually worth applying or asking for a pre-screening.

What you typically need for a LIHEAP application

• Proof of identity for the applicant.Your agency will tell you what documents it accepts.
• Proof of where you live.This can be a lease, official mail, or other residency documentation required by your state.
• Proof of household income.Examples often include pay stubs, benefit letters, or self-employment records.Your agency will confirm which income sources must be included.
• A current utility bill.Many agencies request a bill to confirm the account and service address.
• A shutoff notice or past-due notice, if you are applying for crisis help.This can help your agency determine urgency and what type of assistance fits your situation.

Home energy assistance program: what LIHEAP can help pay for

The simplest way to think about LIHEAP is this.

It helps eligible households manage essential heating and cooling costs.

It can also help during an energy crisis, such as when service is disconnected or about to be shut off.

What LIHEAP pays and how it pays it can vary.

In many cases, assistance is paid directly to the utility company on your behalf.

Some areas also support certain types of fuel, such as electricity, natural gas, propane, oil, or other heating sources, depending on local rules.

Common categories of LIHEAP support

• Heating assistance.This helps reduce the cost of keeping your home safe during cold weather.
• Cooling assistance.In many places, this helps households manage air conditioning costs during extreme heat.
• Crisis assistance.This may help prevent disconnection, restore service, or respond to a qualifying emergency.Crisis rules are often time-sensitive, so contacting your agency early matters.
• Weatherization coordination.LIHEAP is often connected to programs that reduce energy waste and improve home efficiency.Availability depends on your area and funding.

If you are choosing between paying for medication, food, or power, that is exactly the kind of pressure LIHEAP is intended to reduce.

And if you are dealing with extreme temperatures, asking about crisis options immediately is the smartest move.

LIHEAP income guidelines: how eligibility is set

If you have searched for “liheap income guidelines,” you are not alone.

Income rules are one of the most confusing parts, because the federal framework and state rules work together.

At the federal level, states can set their maximum income limit up to 150% of the federal poverty guidelines.

States can also use 60% of the state median income, and whichever method results in a higher threshold can be used as the maximum in that state.

There is also a federal rule that income eligibility may not be set below 110% of the federal poverty guidelines.

In real life, this means your state’s LIHEAP income guidelines may be different from another state’s.

It also means the only “final answer” is the chart or policy used by your local LIHEAP agency.

A practical way to check LIHEAP income guidelines

1. Use your state’s official LIHEAP page or your local agency’s website to find the current income chart.Many agencies post a table by household size.
2. If you cannot find the chart, call and ask for the current income limit for your household size.This is often faster than guessing from third-party websites.
3. Ask what “income” means for your agency.Some sources of income may be included or excluded depending on state rules.

Why applying can still make sense even if you are unsure

Income rules can be more flexible than people expect, especially when household size is larger.

Some households also qualify more easily under crisis rules or priority categories.

Your agency can explain whether you should apply for standard assistance, crisis assistance, or both.

LIHEAP phone number and LIHEAP contact information

When you search “liheap phone number,” the biggest risk is calling the wrong place.

LIHEAP is not a single national call center that handles every application.

The program is administered locally, so the correct LIHEAP contact information depends on your state, territory, county, or tribal service area.

A trusted starting point is the federal LIHEAP state and territory contact listing.

That page is specifically designed to help people find the public inquiry phone number, when available, and the right office for their area.

If you need a general referral line that can point you in the right direction, the federal LIHEAP program also lists the National Energy Assistance Referral number.

That NEAR line is 1-866-674-6327.

It is meant to help connect people to local LIHEAP offices, not to approve benefits directly.

Use this quick guide to find the right LIHEAP contact information

What you need	Best contact	What to prepare
Where to apply in your area	Your state or territory LIHEAP contact listing	Your ZIP code and county
Help with your submitted application	Your local LIHEAP agency	Your confirmation number, if you have one
Urgent shutoff or disconnection risk	Your local LIHEAP agency crisis line, if available	Shutoff notice date and utility account details
You cannot find a local number	NEAR referral line: 1-866-674-6327	Your address and basic household details

How to avoid scams when searching for a LIHEAP phone number

Scammers often copy the language of government programs because it builds instant trust.

So use a simple safety rule.

If a site asks for money to apply, or promises “guaranteed approval,” step away and verify through official government resources.

• Start with official federal or state pages.Then follow the path to the local agency listed there.
• Be cautious with ads that look like application sites.Many ads lead to third-party lead forms that are not your local LIHEAP office.
• Never share sensitive information unless you have verified the agency.If something feels off, hang up and call the number listed on an official government page instead.

LIHEAP application status: how to check without guessing

If you are checking “liheap application status,” you are usually looking for one of three answers.

Did my application arrive.

Is it being processed.

And when will I get a decision.

Because each state runs LIHEAP differently, there is not one universal tracking page.

Some states provide online tracking through a benefits portal.

Others require you to call the local agency.

Either way, the fastest route is to use the same channel you applied through.

Step-by-step: check your LIHEAP application status

1. Look for your confirmation.If you applied online, find the submission receipt, email, or case number.
2. Check your state or local portal, if one exists.Use only the official portal linked from your state or local agency pages.
3. Call your local agency if you cannot find an online status tool.Ask for the status of your LIHEAP application and whether any documents are missing.
4. Ask what the next deadline is.If the agency needs a document, you want the exact due date so you do not lose your place.
5. Keep notes.Write down the date, the person you spoke to if provided, and what they told you to submit next.

What to do if your status is stuck

If your application status does not change, the most common issue is missing verification.

The second most common issue is timing, because many areas have seasonal volume spikes.

The third common issue is a mismatch in documents, such as a different address on the utility bill than on the application.

• Ask whether all documents were received and accepted.“Received” and “accepted” are not always the same thing.
• Ask whether your application is in standard review or crisis review.Crisis requests may have different handling depending on local rules.
• If you moved, update your address immediately.A mailed notice can be the difference between approval and delay.

Crisis help and shutoff prevention: act fast when it is urgent

If you have a shutoff notice, do not wait until the last day.

Many LIHEAP agencies have crisis assistance options intended to prevent disconnection or restore service.

But crisis funding and timelines can be strict, and agencies may require specific documents to treat your case as urgent.

When you call, lead with the time-sensitive detail first.

Say the shutoff date.

Say whether service is already disconnected.

Then ask what the fastest way is to submit a crisis request.

What to prepare for crisis assistance

• A copy of the shutoff notice or disconnection notice.The date and account information are usually essential.
• A recent utility bill showing the service address.This helps confirm where the assistance is applied.
• Proof of income and household size.Even in crisis, most agencies still need to confirm eligibility.
• Any documentation your local program requests for special circumstances.For example, your agency may request proof related to medical needs or household vulnerability.

If your household relies on electricity for medical equipment, mention that immediately.

Some states describe special crisis pathways for life-threatening situations, and they often require additional verification.

How to make LIHEAP help “stick” long term

LIHEAP can reduce the immediate pressure, but you also deserve a plan that lowers stress next month too.

That is why LIHEAP is often discussed alongside weatherization and energy-saving programs.

Your local agency can tell you what is available in your area and what the waiting list looks like.

Small moves that reduce energy costs without major upgrades

• Ask your utility company about budget billing or levelized payment plans.This can smooth seasonal spikes.
• Check whether your utility offers low-income discounts.Some utilities offer separate programs from LIHEAP.
• Replace or clean HVAC filters on a schedule.Better airflow can reduce strain and cost.
• Seal obvious drafts around doors and windows.Even basic sealing can help comfort in extreme temperatures.

If you feel overwhelmed, pick one action you can complete today.

A small win lowers stress and keeps momentum going.

Important disclaimer

This content is independent and has no affiliation, sponsorship, or control over any government agency, institution, utility company, platform, or third party mentioned.

LIHEAP rules, application windows, and benefit amounts vary by state, territory, tribe, and local agency.

For official guidance and case-specific decisions, use verified federal and state LIHEAP contact resources.

Next steps: the fastest path to real help today

If you want the simplest plan, follow this sequence.

It is designed to get you to the correct office quickly, with the least confusion.

1. Find your local LIHEAP agency using the official state and territory contact listing.Then call and ask how to apply in your county.
2. Ask for the current LIHEAP income guidelines for your household size.If you qualify, apply immediately while the application window is open.
3. If you are at risk of shutoff, ask specifically about crisis assistance.Provide the shutoff date and ask what documents you must submit today.
4. If you cannot find the right local number, use the NEAR referral line at 1-866-674-6327.Then confirm the final LIHEAP contact information through a government source before submitting sensitive details.
5. After you apply, track your LIHEAP application status using the official portal or the local agency.Follow up quickly if anything is missing.