With heating season underway, the federal government has released $3.6 billion to help low-income households pay their energy bills this winter, and several states are opening applications in the next few days. Older adults and people with disabilities are among the groups the program is meant to reach first.
The money comes through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP. The Administration for Children and Families’ Office of Community Services released $3,631,860,000 in fiscal 2027 block grant funding on Oct. 9, 2026, under the stopgap spending law signed Sept. 2. States, territories and Washington, D.C., received $3,587,894,233 of that total, and tribes received $43,965,767.
What is LIHEAP, and what does it pay for?
LIHEAP is a federal block grant that states use to help eligible households with heating and cooling costs. Each state runs its own program, sets its own benefit levels and decides when to take applications. In many states, including Florida and New York, payments go directly to the utility or fuel company on the household’s behalf. Many programs also have crisis help for households facing a shutoff, and New York, for example, also offers heating equipment repair and cooling assistance.
The federal agency says LIHEAP benefits target households with low incomes, especially those with a high energy burden or with members who are elderly, disabled or a young child. The Oct. 9 release equals 90% of the annual amount available under the current stopgap law, according to ACF. Whether the remaining 10% is released depends on how Congress funds the rest of the fiscal year.
Who is eligible for LIHEAP?
Under federal law, states can set income limits as high as 150% of the federal poverty guidelines or 60% of the state median income, whichever is higher, but no lower than 110% of the poverty guidelines, according to the LIHEAP Clearinghouse, a federally funded information service. Programs also have other requirements. Florida, for example, says applicants must be responsible for paying their home heating or cooling bills, live in Florida and be a U.S. citizen, qualified alien or permanent resident.
Limits vary widely. A few examples from official state program pages:
- Florida: FloridaCommerce lists a maximum annual income of $32,155 for one person and $42,049 for two.
- New York: the 2026-2027 HEAP limit is $3,563 in gross monthly income for one person and $4,659 for two.
- Ohio: the Winter Crisis Program uses 175% of the poverty guidelines, or $27,930 a year for one person, for households facing disconnection or low on bulk fuel.
When can seniors and people with disabilities apply?
Application windows differ by state, and several give older adults and people with disabilities an early start or a larger benefit:
- Illinois: applications opened Oct. 1, 2026 for adults 60 and older, people with disabilities, families with children 5 and under, and households already disconnected or about to be. All other eligible households can apply starting Nov. 1. The program runs through Aug. 13, 2027, or until funding runs out.
- New York: the Regular HEAP benefit is scheduled to open Nov. 2, 2026, and the Emergency HEAP benefit Jan. 4, 2027. The base benefit rises by $35 if the household includes someone 60 or older, under 6 or permanently disabled, according to the state.
- Ohio: the HEAP Winter Crisis Program runs from Nov. 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, and is open to both homeowners and renters.
- Florida: FloridaCommerce sends LIHEAP money to local community action agencies, and the state says that, depending on funds in your county, you may be able to get help more than once a year, though not every month. Florida’s program covers cooling as well as heating.
Several programs, including Illinois’, pay benefits only until funding runs out, so applying early matters.
How do you apply for LIHEAP?
Start with your state or local energy assistance office. If you don’t know where it is, the National Energy Assistance Referral service can tell you: call toll-free 1-866-674-6327 (TTY 1-866-367-6228) or email energyassistance@ncat.org with your city, county and state. The service is free.
Florida’s program page lists the documents applicants should have ready, and they are typical of what most states ask for:
- Your most recent home energy bill, and any final shutoff notice
- Proof of current gross income for everyone in the household, such as pay stubs or Social Security letters
- Photo ID for the applicant
- Social Security numbers for all household members
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residence
Floridians can find their local provider through FloridaCommerce’s LIHEAP page. The state warns that local agencies are handling very high call volumes and asks callers to keep trying. HNC’s guide to Florida programs and grants for seniors and people with disabilities lists other state help that can be combined with energy assistance.
What should you do if your power is about to be shut off?
Contact your local LIHEAP office right away and tell them you have a shutoff notice, and call your utility to ask about a payment plan. Some states put these cases first. In Illinois, for example, households that are disconnected or have a disconnect date within seven days could apply starting Oct. 1, and Ohio’s Winter Crisis Program is built specifically for households facing disconnection.
Key Takeaways
- The federal government released $3,631,860,000 in LIHEAP heating and cooling aid for fiscal 2027 on Oct. 9, 2026.
- Federal rules let states set income limits up to 150% of the poverty guidelines or 60% of state median income, and benefits target households with elderly, disabled or young members.
- Illinois opened Oct. 1 for adults 60+ and people with disabilities; New York’s Regular HEAP opens Nov. 2; Ohio’s Winter Crisis Program runs Nov. 1 to March 31.
- To find where to apply, call the free National Energy Assistance Referral line at 1-866-674-6327.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is LIHEAP?
LIHEAP, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, is a federally funded block grant that states use to help eligible low-income households pay heating and cooling bills, handle energy emergencies and, in some states, repair heating systems.
How much LIHEAP money was released for winter 2026-2027?
The Administration for Children and Families released $3,631,860,000 in fiscal year 2027 LIHEAP block grant funding on Oct. 9, 2026. That is 90% of the annual amount available under the current stopgap spending law.
Do seniors and people with disabilities get priority for LIHEAP?
Federal guidance says LIHEAP benefits target households with members who are elderly, disabled or a young child. Some states, such as Illinois, open applications early for these households, and New York adds $35 to the base benefit for them.
How do I find where to apply for LIHEAP?
Call the National Energy Assistance Referral service at 1-866-674-6327 (TTY 1-866-367-6228) or email energyassistance@ncat.org with your city, county and state. You can also check your state’s LIHEAP or energy assistance website.
Does Florida’s LIHEAP help with air conditioning bills?
Yes. FloridaCommerce says LIHEAP helps income-qualified households with home heating and cooling costs, and payments are made through local community action agencies.
Featured image: A person adjusts a wall-mounted home thermostat. (Photo: Shixart1985 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0)
