Energy costs are putting real pressure on American families. According to recent federal surveys, about 23% of U.S. households โ nearly one in four โ were unable to pay an energy bill at least once in the past year, and for households earning under $50,000 a year that number jumps to around 37%. Meanwhile, nearly six million households now carry such severe utility debt that it could soon be sent to collection agencies.
Heating costs this winter are also squeezing budgets. The U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates the average natural-gas winter heating bill around about $867.
For many families, these rising energy bills mean tough choices between paying for heat, food, medicine, or other essentials โ a reality that affects millions of Americans every season.
Thankfully, there is help available.
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Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
Often called LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program), LIEAP, or EAP, this federally funded program helps income-eligible households manage essential heating and cooling costs.
Depending on your state, HEAP can help you:
- Pay past-due utility bills and outstanding balances
- Restore service if your gas or electricity has been shut off
- Cover the cost of heating fuels such as oil, propane, wood, or coal
- Lower future energy bills through weatherization upgrades like insulation, air sealing, or energy-efficient windows
- Make urgent energy-related repairs, such as fixing or replacing a broken furnace or air conditioner
When and how to apply
Most states accept HEAP applications year-round, but funding is limited and often distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Some types of help โ especially heating assistance โ may have seasonal deadlines, usually during fall and winter.
To find your stateโs exact deadlines and benefits, contact your state or county social services agency, or use the federal LIHEAP state directory/map to locate your local energy assistance office.
HEAP eligibility (2026)
Eligibility is based primarily on household size and income, and limits vary by state. As a general rule, households earning up to 150%โ200% of the federal poverty level may qualify.
For example, in Ohio, a family of three typically qualifies with annual income around $40,000โ$42,000, depending on the program year and funding category.
Most households can receive one primary HEAP benefit per heating or cooling season, though emergency assistance or repair programs may be available separately if funds allow.
Automatic or faster eligibility
You may automatically qualify โ or have a faster approval process โ if you already receive benefits from programs such as:
- SNAP (food stamps)
- TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
- SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
Program names may vary by state. For example, TANF is called โColorado Worksโ in Colorado, but eligibility rules are similar.
Even if you donโt receive these benefits, you can still qualify for HEAP as long as your income falls within your stateโs limits. If youโre struggling with utility bills, itโs worth applying.
Other common requirements
Most states also require that you:
- Are at least 18 years old (or an emancipated minor)
- Are responsible for energy costs at your residence, whether you pay a utility company directly or pay utilities through your rent
Here are three state-specific examples with 2025โ26/2026 HEAP/LIHEAP income limits:
1. Pennsylvania (Example: LIHEAP 2025โ26)
In Pennsylvania, LIHEAP sets income limits based on household size for the 2025โ26 season. For a one-time heating benefit, gross annual income must generally be at or below these amounts:
- 1-person household: $23,475
- 2-person household: $31,725
- 3-person household: $39,975
- 4-person household: $48,225
For each additional person, add about $8,250 to the maximum income limit.
2. New York (Upstate/Metro HEAP)
In New Yorkโs HEAP program, eligibility for the 2025โ26 season is tied to income at or below local median income levels. Annual income limits include:
- 1-person household: ~$41,685
- 2-person household: ~$54,512
- 3-person household: ~$67,338
- 4-person household: ~$80,165
Larger households see higher thresholds (e.g., ~ $92,991 for 5 people).
3. Florida (LIHEAP 2025โ26)
Floridaโs LIHEAP income eligibility for 2025โ26 (based on the stateโs limits) shows maximum annual gross incomes like:
- 1-person household: $32,155
- 2-person household: $42,049
- 3-person household: $51,943
- 4-person household: $61,837
- 5-person household: $71,730
These limits increase modestly with each additional household member.
If you need help with air conditioning, check out these free resources.
Government assistance for utilities
The federal government has multiple programs to help low-income households pay for utilities, including gas, electric, and water bills.
The funds from these programs are grants that do not have to be paid back, and each state sets its own rules for eligibility and payout amounts. The names of these programs might also vary by state.
| Number of people in family/household | Annual income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $15,960 |
| 2 | $21,640 |
| 3 | $27,320 |
| 4 | $33,000 |
| 5 | $38,680 |
| 6 | $44,360 |
| 7 | $50,040 |
| 8 | $55,720 |
For families/households with more than 8 people, add $5,680 for each additional person.each additional person.
You can also look up your area median income (AMI) here.
Want to buy a home in 2026? See what mortgage you qualify for.
HEAP information and income requirements in these state-by-state resource guides for low-income families:
How to apply for HEAP
In many cases, you can apply online through your state benefits portal. If you prefer to talk to an actual person, you can:
- Go to your local social services office
- Call 866-674-6327 for the National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) project
- Email NEAR at energy@ncat.org
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
The U.S. Department of Energyโs State and Community Energy Program (SCEP) offers WAP to help reduce energy costs.
This program helps low-income households by providing weatherization services free of charge, working with more than 700 weatherization providers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Native American tribes, and U.S. territories.
Examples of weatherization services include:
- Installing programmable thermostats
- Cleaning, repairing, maintaining, or replacing home heating and/or cooling systems
- Installing insulation were needed
- Putting in low-flow faucet and shower heads
- Replacing appliances with energy-efficient models
If accepted into the program, you will work with a weatherization provider that will assess whatโs needed to help save energy and money in your home.
WAP Eligibility
To be eligible for WAP, you must meet income guidelines for your household size. The DOE requires that your income is at or below 200% of the FPL.
You may also be eligible if you receive:
- SSI
- Aid to Families with Dependant Children
- HEAP (LIHEAP) benefits
Priority may also be given to households that have high energy use, children, elderly persons, or one or more people with a disability.
How to apply for WAP
To apply for WAP, contact your state WAP administrator.
Learn more about home repairs for low-income households in this post: Free home repairs.
Tax credits for efficiency improvements
As part of the Inflation Reduction Act,3 U.S. households can access a tax credit to cover up to 30% of the cost for certain efficiency improvements, including:
- Up to $1,200 in credit for adding insulation or installing efficient windows and doors
- Up to $2,000 for electric heat pumps that provide super-efficient heating and cooling
- Up to $150 for a home energy audit conducted by an inspector
State programs will also offer rebates for electric appliances and energy-efficiency improvements, which will lower household energy bills each month.
Households are eligible for rebates of up to $4,000, while low-income households could receive up to $8,000 for home efficiency.
Rebates covering up to 100% of the cost of installing electric appliances like heat pumps, water heaters, and clothes dryers are available to low- and moderate-income households.
Utility company programs for low-income families
Even if you receive HEAP, you might need more financial help. You can turn to your utility provider to ask about energy assistance programs.
For example, Con Edison, which provides energy services to 10 million people in New York City and Westchester County, offers the Energy Affordability Program. If you live in those areas, you are automatically eligible if you receive:
- HEAP
- SNAP
- SSI
- TANF
- Safety Net Assistance
Each utility provider will have its own eligibility requirements and may offer a range of benefits such as:
- Bill payment assistance: One-time or ongoing temporary help with bill payments to help you get up to date on your account
- Payment plans: Allows you to break up your outstanding balance into smaller payments, making it easier to get caught up
- Budget billing: Considers your utility usage and establishes payments that are the same amount each month
- Utility bill forgiveness and credits: Does not require you to pay a past due bill or balance
How to apply for utility company programs
Each provider will have its own application process. Contact your current utility provider to find out what programs may be available or visit your utility providerโs website. If you receive government benefits, your caseworker is another resource to help you find energy assistance programs.
Non-government home energy assistance programs
Home energy assistance programs are offered by nonprofits, charities, churches, and community agencies. To get started, you can google phrases like:
- โHome energy assistance programs near meโ
- โNonprofit utility bill assistanceโ
- โCharities that offer energy assistanceโ
- โFuel fund near meโ
These searches can help you find local options. For example, the Fuel Fund of Maryland helps eligible Marylanders with a Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE) account get services reconnected after financial hardship.
Here are more options to consider:
Catholic Charities emergency energy assistance
Catholic Charities has regional offices throughout the country to help people in the communities they serve. Some offices offer emergency assistance, which includes financial help with turning on utilities that have been shut off.
Dollar Energy Fund
Dollar Energy Fund has been providing help for low-income households for more than 40 years. Dollar Energy Fund works with 50 utility service providers in 18 states to provide grants to restore turned-off utility service or prevent a shutoff for at-risk families.
If you don't qualify for help from government programs, this may be a great option to get help.
Salvation Army utility assistance
Founded in 1865, the Salvation Army has a long track record of helping families. The charity offers utility assistance to help families remain in their homes. People who have received a shutoff notice or had their service disconnected are most likely to qualify for help.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul utility bill help
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is active in communities across the United States and more than 150 other countries. Some local branches of this charity offer energy bill help. Programs and services vary by location.
United Way electric bill assistance
The United Way connects people to the resources they need, including electric bill assistance and other utility costs. Dial 211 on your landline or cell phone to get in touch with the United Way, or visit 211.org.
What to expect when you apply for utility assistance
Getting assistance to pay for utilities can take some time, so you should apply as soon as you realize you might need help.
According to a LIHEAP specialist caseworker on Reddit, the process typically takes 30 days, though some applications may be approved in as little as 48 hours in the event of a crisis.
LIHEAP
byu/Over_Neighborhood742 inAssistance
Preparing to apply for energy assistance
Ready to apply for energy assistance? Hereโs what youโll likely have to do:
- Gather your income paperwork: Youโll be required to provide information about your income, such as pay stubs, a W-2 form, or 1099 forms
- Provide proof of residency and identity: Programs may require a government-issued form of ID and proof of citizenship status
- Show proof of utility bill responsibility: You can only apply for these programs if you are in charge of paying the utility bill, so be ready to show recent bills with your name and address or proof of payment if you pay a landlord directly
- Share information about other assistance programs: Provide your determination documents if you are receiving benefits from programs like SNAP, SSI, or TANF
Here what some Reddit users had to say:
LPT- Every state in the US has an Energy Assistance program, which helps pay for heat and electric. If approved for EA then more help becomes available: Furnace repair and replacement, home weatherization and more. Donโt assume you wont qualify. APPLY!
by inLifeProTips
Posts from the assistance
community on Reddit
Applying for benefits
Most energy assistance programs have application deadlines. In general, government energy assistance applications like LIHEAP are available year-round.
Depending on what your state offers, youโll either apply through an online portal or walk through the application process with a social services caseworker.
If applying for non-government benefits or help through your utility provider, youโll need to follow their application process, which can often be found on the website or by calling the energy provider.
After you apply
Once you submit your application, your program contact should give you an idea of:
- How long the application process takes
- Amount you can expect to receive for help
- When you can expect the financial help
- How the amount will be paid (usually directly to the energy supplier or landlord)
- How often you can get help (many programs offer once a year or temporary help)
- The process for applying in the future if you need utility assistance again
More resources for single moms
Need more financial help to get you through the year? Check out our other resources for low-income families:
Also, learn about ways to get free money for bills, including through the Low Income Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), a federally funded program to help you pay for your water and sewer (wastewater) bills.
Contact your state LIHWAP administrator or visit your local social services office to apply.
