Program
Help paying heating and cooling bills (LIHEAP)
A federal program that helps lower-income households pay energy bills, and sometimes covers an emergency.
What it can pay for
- energy bills
- heating and air
- Official name
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
- Where
- Nationwide
- Status
- Program running
- About the amount
- No verified national average; typically hundreds of dollars per season, not thousands (example: NY FY2023 heating $666, crisis $612). Each state sets its own amounts; ACF says it's 'unlikely you will receive enough to pay your entire heating or cooling bill.'
- Housing rules
- Renters eligible, including when heat is included in rent; subsidized/public housing tenants may be ineligible depending on the state.
- How long it takes
- Crisis help must come within 48 hours, or 18 hours if life-threatening; no clock exists on regular benefits.
- How to apply
- Apply at your local LIHEAP office (often the Community Action Agency) — not with the federal government.
- Does not pay for
- Doesn't cover water/sewer (except water for evaporative cooling) or phone bills.
- Official source
- acf.gov
- Last checked
- September 28, 2026