Key Takeaways
- Congress funded LIHEAP at $4.13 billion for FY 2026 - rejecting the White House's proposed elimination for the sixth straight year - and all FY26 funds were released to states by April 2026.
- The administration's FY 2027 budget request again proposes eliminating LIHEAP entirely, so don't assume next winter's funding will look the same as this year's.
- HHS eliminated the federal staff who administer LIHEAP in April 2025, leaving oversight to a single staffer - a factor in some of the funding-release delays states saw this year.
- Income eligibility is generally capped at 150% of the federal poverty level or 60% of state median income, whichever is higher, but each state sets its own exact threshold and benefit amount.
- Apply as early in the season as possible. Many state LIHEAP offices exhaust their allocation before the official application window closes, especially heading into winter.
Home energy costs keep climbing, and for households on the lower end of the income scale, that’s not an abstract budgeting problem — it’s a choice between heating the house and paying for something else. The good news is that federal and state energy assistance programs exist specifically to help. The less good news is that funding for the largest of these programs, LIHEAP, has been fought over in Washington every year since 2025, which makes it worth understanding both what’s currently available and how secure that funding actually is.
Is LIHEAP Still Funded in 2026?
Yes — for now. The White House’s initial FY 2026 budget request called for eliminating federal funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) entirely, the sixth time a Trump administration budget has proposed doing so. Congress rejected that request again, ultimately funding the program at $4.13 billion for fiscal 2026, a roughly $20 million increase over the prior year. House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole (R-OK) has been publicly opposed to eliminating the program, and bipartisan pushback from lawmakers whose states rely heavily on LIHEAP funding has held so far.
As of April 2026, the remaining 10% of FY 2026 LIHEAP funds were disbursed to states after several delays earlier in the year — so all of this year’s allocation is now in the pipeline. That said, two things are worth knowing if you’re relying on this program:
Administrative capacity has been cut. The Department of Health and Human Services eliminated the federal staff assigned to administer LIHEAP in April 2025, leaving responsibility for a multibillion-dollar program resting on a single staffer. That’s a meaningful factor behind some of this year’s disbursement delays, and it’s worth keeping in mind if your state’s program feels slower or less responsive than usual.
Next year is not guaranteed. The administration’s FY 2027 budget request again proposes eliminating LIHEAP funding entirely. Congress has rejected this proposal every year so far, but if you depend on this assistance, it’s worth watching how the FY 2027 appropriations process unfolds later this year rather than assuming the program continues automatically.
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What Is LIHEAP and Who Qualifies?
LIHEAP helps low-income households pay their home energy bills — heating assistance in winter, cooling assistance in summer — along with weatherization, energy efficiency improvements, and emergency help during energy crisis situations (like a shutoff notice or a broken furnace in January).
To qualify, you generally need to be a resident of the state administering your local program and fall under a household income threshold. Federal guidelines set the outer boundary: states can set their income limit at up to 150% of the federal poverty line or 60% of the state median income, whichever is higher — but each state chooses its own specific cutoff and benefit schedule within that range, so the actual dollar threshold varies meaningfully from state to state. Some states also give automatic eligibility to households already receiving SNAP, SSI, or certain other need-based benefits.
Funding is paid directly to certified local agencies and utility or fuel providers on a household’s behalf — LIHEAP rarely issues cash directly to individuals — and is strictly limited by each state’s annual allocation. Because of that funding cap, many states operate on a first-come, first-served basis and can run out of available funds before their formal application period ends. If you think you might qualify, apply as soon as your state’s season opens rather than waiting.
State Energy Assistance Programs
Program names vary by state even though most draw on the same federal LIHEAP funding stream. Contact your state’s administering agency directly for the current income threshold and benefit amount for your household size — the figures below are historical planning benchmarks, not guaranteed amounts for this heating season.
| State | Energy Assistance Programs | Where to Apply |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | LIHEAP, Home Energy Assistance Fund | des.az.gov/liheap |
| California | LIHEAP, Low-Income Weatherization Program (LIWP) | csd.ca.gov/find-assistance |
| Florida | LIHEAP, Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) | floridajobs.org |
| Georgia | LIHEAP | dfcs.georgia.gov |
| Illinois | LIHEAP Energy Assistance | dceo.illinois.gov |
| Michigan | Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP), State Emergency Relief, Home Heating Credit | michigan.gov/mpsc |
| New York | HEAP, HEAP Cooling Assistance, Heating Equipment Repair/Replacement | otda.ny.gov/programs/heap |
| North Carolina | Low Income Energy Assistance (LIEAP) | ncdhhs.gov |
| Ohio | HEAP, Summer Crisis Program, Home Weatherization Assistance | development.ohio.gov |
| Pennsylvania | LIHEAP | dhs.pa.gov |
| Texas | Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP), WAP | benefits.gov |
| Virginia | Energy Assistance Program — Fuel, Crisis, and Cooling Assistance | dss.virginia.gov |
Related Programs Worth Knowing About
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). A separate federal program that funds insulation, air sealing, and efficiency upgrades for low-income homes — it reduces energy costs permanently rather than covering a single season’s bill, and is often administered by the same state agency as LIHEAP.
Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). LIHEAP’s counterpart for water and wastewater bills, helping eligible households cover water utility costs and arrears.
Utility company hardship programs. Many utilities run their own assistance funds, payment plans, or shutoff moratoriums for elderly, disabled, or medically dependent customers, separate from state LIHEAP funding. Ask your utility directly — these programs don’t always require the same income documentation as LIHEAP.
How to Apply
- Find your state’s administering agency using the table above, or search “[your state] LIHEAP application.”
- Gather documentation: proof of income for all household members (recent pay stubs, benefit award letters), a recent energy bill, and proof of residency.
- Apply as early in the season as possible — funding is limited and distributed on a rolling basis in most states.
- Ask about crisis assistance if you’re facing an active shutoff or have no working heat — most states have an expedited process for emergency situations that moves faster than the standard application.
- Check for automatic eligibility if you already receive SNAP, SSI, or TANF — many states waive additional income verification in that case.
Looking Ahead: 2027
The FY 2027 budget fight is the one to watch. The administration has proposed eliminating LIHEAP funding entirely for a seventh consecutive year, and while Congress has rejected every prior attempt, the outcome of the FY 2027 appropriations process (typically finalized in the fall) will determine whether the program exists in its current form for next winter. If you rely on this assistance, it’s worth following state-level and congressional news on LIHEAP funding as autumn approaches, and applying early once your state’s program opens regardless of the broader funding picture — allocations already appropriated to a given fiscal year get distributed to states regardless of what happens with the following year’s budget.
See also: Would You Be Considered Poor Based on Federal Poverty Levels? | State-by-State SNAP Benefit Amounts | Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Qualification
