Applications for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) are now open in select states for the summer! Check below to see if you're eligible for financial assistance for air conditioning costs or discounts on your home energy bill as temperatures rise.
What is LIHEAP?
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, often called LIHEAP or HEAP, helps households with their heating, cooling, and past-due energy bills and HVAC system costs. It aims to help families maintain safe and healthy indoor temperatures.
Programs vary widely across states, and some don’t offer cooling assistance at all. In some states, you might get a discount on your energy bill, while others provide free air conditioners or fans. Application periods vary: some are year-round, some align with heating assistance dates, and others are only open at specific times of the year.
Don’t wait — these benefits are first-come, first-serve. The sooner you apply, the more likely you are to get LIHEAP benefits.
Am I eligible for LIHEAP?
To qualify for LIHEAP, you need to meet your state’s income requirements. In many states, you are eligible if you receive any of these benefits:
- SNAP
- TANF
- SSI
- Some VA benefits
What you need to know for Summer 2024
Applications for summer cooling assistance in the following states start in June 2024:
- Alabama: Open in June
How to apply: Contact your county’s community action agency.
Benefit available: A one-time bulk payment between $320 and $520 made directly to your energy company. This payment is either applied toward an existing balance or to reduce your future bills. - Hawaii: Open June 1-30
How to apply: Contact your island's community action agency.
Benefit available: A one-time bulk payment made directly to your energy company. This payment is either applied toward an existing balance or to reduce your future bills. - Nebraska: Open in June
How to apply: Online at ACCESSNebraska with the “Economic Assistance Application” or in-person at a DHHS Office. If you have an active or pending Economic Assistance (EA) case, you can request LIHEAP without submitting an application.
Benefit available: A one-time bulk payment between $273 and $700 made directly to your energy company. This payment is either applied toward an existing balance or to reduce your future bills. Check with your local community action agency if you're eligible for a free fan or AC unit. - Virginia: Open June 15-August 15
How to apply: Online at CommonHelp or in-person at your local department of social services.
Benefit available: Cost and installation for window AC unit, repairs for central AC unit, payment toward electric bill, security deposit on an electric expense. - Oklahoma: Open June 18
How to apply: Check for a red banner that reads “Apply for Energy Assistance” on OKDHSLive.
Benefit available: A one-time bulk payment made directly to your energy company. This payment is either applied toward an existing balance or to reduce your future bills. Summer cooling will only pay for the utility that is the primary source of cooling, usually electric.
Applications for summer cooling assistance in the following states are already open and are received on a rolling basis:
- Florida – find your local LIHEAP provider here
- California – find your local LIHEAP provider here
- Nevada – apply online here
- New Mexico – apply online here
- Tennessee – find your local LIHEAP provider here
- Texas – find your local LIHEAP provider here
- Utah – apply online here
- Washington – find your local LIHEAP provider here
- West Virginia – apply online here or contact your county human services office
- Georgia - find your local LIHEAP provider here
- Arizona - apply online here
- Delaware - apply online here
- Louisiana - find your local LIHEAP provider here
- New York - find your local LIHEAP provider here (NYC residents can apply online)
- Kentucky - contact your local Department for Community Based Services office
- Mississippi - apply online here
- South Carolina - find your local LIHEAP provider here
Other FAQs
What am I eligible for? How much is the benefit?
The benefit amount is calculated based on your income, family size, energy costs, and where you live. In most cases, LIHEAP will not pay your full utility bill.
How will I get the LIHEAP benefit?
LIHEAP benefits can come in the form of a one-time bulk payment made directly to your energy company or your local LIHEAP provider may cover the purchase, installation, or repair costs of an air conditioning system or fan.
I still have questions. Where can I get more help?
If you still have additional questions, you can find your state or territory’s LIHEAP contact here. You can also call the National HEAP Hotline at 866-674-6327 to speak with someone about your local energy assistance program.
