Full list of states offering up to $500 heating bill credit - how to apply
Publish date: 2024-07-29
WINTER is coming and heating is about to be more important - and more expensive.
According to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association, experts predict that heating costs will rise by 17.2 percent from last year.
Luckily, there are programs to help bring down costs for low-income residents all across the nation.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is federally funded and provides families with energy credits and payment help.
Typically, it provides families with up to $500.
The program provides states with funds allocated to programs associated with home energy bills, energy crises, weatherization, and energy-related minor home repairs.
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However, since the program is left up to the states, not every program provides assistance with cooling in the summer months.
Additionally, many states have similar programs but they tend to vary depending on multiple factors like income level, type of energy used, and others.
For example, Pennsylvanians could get grants ranging from $500 to $1,500 each under LIHEAP last year.
As it's a grant, the cash doesn't have to be repaid.
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Below is a list of each state and the energy programs they offer, with the amounts available varying depending on where you live.
Alabama
- Program: Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- Income level: Must not exceed 150 percent of the federally established poverty level
- For applications and more information visit the website
Alaska
- Program: Heating Assistance Program (HAP)
- Income level: 225 percent of the federal poverty level
- Eligibility: Must be a US citizen or a qualified alien, resident of Alaska, in need of help with heating costs
- For applications and more information visit the website
Arizona
- Program: LIHEAP
- Eligibility: Determined at the local Community Action Agency level
- For applications and more information visit the website
Arkansas
- Program: LIHEAP
- Eligibility: Depends on income, must be a resident
- For applications and more information visit the website
California
- Program: LIHEAP
- Eligibility: Depends on income, household size, place of residence, and other factors
- For applications and more information visit the website
Colorado
- Program: Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)
- Eligibility: Income is up to 60 percent of the state median income level
- For applications and more information visit the website
Connecticut
- Program: Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP)
- Eligibility: Must be a resident, annual household income falls at or below the income levels, must have a Social Security number
- For applications and more information visit the website
Delaware
- Program: Delaware Energy Assistance Program (DEAP)
- Eligibility: This is defined as 200 percent of the federal poverty level
- For applications and more information visit the website
Florida
- Program: LIHEAP
- Eligibility: Must have an income less than 60 percent of the Florida State Median Income, responsible for paying your home heating or cooling bills, resident, US Citizen, qualified alien or permanent resident
- For applications and more information visit the website
Georgia
- Program: LIHEAP
- Eligibility: US citizen or legally admitted immigrant, at or below 60 percent of the state's median income, responsible for paying your home heating or cooling bills
- For applications and more information visit the website
Hawaii
- Program: LIHEAP
- Eligibility: Resident, annual household income falls at or below the income levels, must have a Social Security number
- For applications and more information visit the website
Idaho
- Program: LIHEAP
- Eligibility: Resident, and need financial assistance with home energy costs
- For applications and more information visit the website
Illinois
- Program: LIHEAP
- Eligibility: Resident, may not exceed 200 percent of the federal non-farm poverty level
- For applications and more information visit the website
Indiana
- Program: LIHEAP/Energy Assistance Program (EAP)
- Eligibility: Residents, households that make 60 percent or less than the state median income
- For applications and more information visit the website
Iowa
- Program: LIHEAP/WAP
- Eligibility: Must be at or below 200 percent of the 2021 federal poverty guidelines
- For applications and more information visit the website
Kansas
- Program: Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)
- Eligibility: Personally responsible for paying heating costs, a recent history of payments, combined gross income of a household may not exceed 150 percent of the federal poverty level
- For applications and more information visit the website
Kentucky
- Program: LIHEAP
- Eligibility: Resident, must be at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level
- For applications and more information visit the website
Louisiana
- Program: LIHEAP
- Eligibility: Resident, responsible for the household energy bill, active heating/cooling utility account, at or below 60 percent of the state median income
- For applications and more information visit the website
Maine
- Program: LIHEAP
- Eligibility: Resident, US citizen or a qualified alien, household income below 60 percent of the state area media
- For applications and more information visit the website
Maryland
- Program: Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP)
- Eligibility: Resident, bill must be in the applicant’s name, must be at or below 200 percent of the 2021 federal poverty guidelines
- For applications and more information visit the website
Massachusetts
- Program: LIHEAP
- Eligibility: Resident, income cannot exceed 60 percent of the estimated State Median Income
- For applications and more information visit the website
Michigan
- Program: Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP)
- Eligibility: Resident, household income at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level
- For applications and more information visit the website
Minnesota
- Program: EAP
- Eligibility: Resident, based on the three most recent months of income
- For applications and more information visit the website
Mississippi
- Program: LIHEAP
- Eligibility: 18 years of age or an emancipated minor, within 60 percent of the current state median income poverty guidelines.
- For applications and more information visit the website
Missouri
- Program: Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP)
- Eligibility: Responsible for paying the utilities for your home, resident, US citizen, $3,000 or less in your bank accounts, retirement accounts, or investments, at or below the income guidelines
- For applications and more information visit the website
Montana
- Program: LIHEAP
- Eligibility: Resident, must meet specific income requirements based on household number
- For applications and more information visit the website
Nebraska
- Program: LIHEAP
- Eligibility: Resident, income at or below 150 percent of Federal Poverty Level
- For applications and more information visit the website
Nevada
- Program: EAP
- Eligibility: Resident, US citizen, total monthly gross income may not exceed 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
- For applications and more information visit the website
New Hampshire
- Program: Fuel Assistance Program (FAP)
- Eligibility: Resident, gross household income of 60 percent of the New Hampshire State Median Income
- For applications and more information visit the website
New Jersey
- Program: HEAP
- Eligibility: Resident, gross income at or below 60 percent of the State Median Income
- For applications and more information visit the website
New Mexico
- Program: LIHEAP
- Eligibility: Resident, household income and other qualifications will be explained 45 days after your interview
- For applications and more information visit the website
New York
- Program: HEAP
- Eligibility: US citizen or qualified alien, household's gross monthly income is at or below the current income guides for your household
- For applications and more information visit the website
North Carolina
- Program: Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)
- Eligibility: At least one US citizen or non-citizen who meets the eligibility criteria, meets an income test, has reserves at or below $2,250, responsible for its heating costs
- For applications and more information visit the website
North Dakota
- Program: LIHEAP
- Eligibility: Resident, income must be at or below 60 percent of North Dakota’s median income
- For applications and more information visit the website
Ohio
- Program: HEAP
- Eligibility: Household income at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines
- For applications and more information visit the website
Oklahoma
- Program: LIHEAP
- Eligibility: Responsible for payment of home heating and cooling costs, US citizen or legally admitted for permanent residence, have $2,000 for one person or $3,000 for two persons, and $50 for each additional person in the household or less in the form of cash on hand, checking or savings accounts, certificates of deposits, stocks, or bonds. You must also meet specific income guidelines that vary according to household size and fuel type
- For applications and more information visit the website
Oregon
- Program: LIHEAP
- Eligibility: Household income must be at or below 60 percent of Oregon's median income, must also have documented energy costs
- For applications and more information visit the website
Pennsylvania
- Program: LIHEAP
- Eligibility: Must meet income guidelines, aren't on public assistance, rent or own your home, you don't need to have an unpaid heating bill
- For applications and more information visit the website
Rhode Island
- Program: LIHEAP
- Eligibility: Households must meet 60 percent of Rhode Island's median income levels, aren't on public assistance, rent or own your home, you don't need to have an unpaid heating bill
- For applications and more information visit the website
South Carolina
- Program: LIHEAP
- Eligibility: Community Action Agency in your county determines your household’s income and any additional eligibility criteria
- For applications and more information visit the website
South Dakota
- Program: LIHEAP
- Eligibility: A completed application, total gross income may not exceed maximum income guidelines, must be responsible for paying home heating costs
- For applications and more information visit the website
Tennessee
- Program: LIHEAP
- Eligibility: Household income is at or below 60 percent of the state median income
- For applications and more information visit the website
Texas
- Program: Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEPA)/LIHEAP
- Eligibility: Must meet the income guidelines that vary each year
- For applications and more information visit the website
Utah
- Program: Home Energy Assistance Target (HEAT)
- Eligibility: Total household income is at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, responsible for paying home energy costs, household contains at least one US citizen or qualified non-citizen
- For applications and more information visit the website
Vermont
This state has two programs - residents may apply for Green Mountain Power Energy Assistance or the Vermont Gas Energy Assistance.
- Program: Green Mountain Power Energy Assistance
- Eligibility: Resident, total gross monthly household income at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level
- For applications and more information visit the website
Or
- Program: Vermont Gas Energy Assistance
- Eligibility: Resident, gross monthly household income at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level
- For applications and more information visit the website
Virginia
- Program: EAP
- Eligibility: Must have heating or cooling expenses, gross monthly income may not exceed 150 percent of the federal poverty level
- For applications and more information visit the website
Washington
- Program: LIHEAP
- Eligibility: Income limits are set at 150 percent of the federal poverty level, other factors are determined through your local LIHEAP provider
- For applications and more information visit the website
West Virginia
- Program: LIEAP
- Eligibility: Income, type of heating payment, and total heating costs
- For applications and more information visit the website
Wisconsin
- Program: Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP)/LIHEAP
- Eligibility: Income is at or below 60 percent of the State Median Income
- For applications and more information visit the website
Wyoming
- Program: LIEAP
- Eligibility: Must meet federal income guidelines, household size, and home heating fuel type
- For applications and more information visit the website
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