How to Apply for LIHEAP 2026-27: The 5 Steps

Here is a walkthrough for applying for LIHEAP heating assistance for the 2026-27 season: where to apply, which documents to collect, what to do in an emergency and where else to look if you don’t qualify. Every state runs its own program, so check dates and rules with your local office.

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Before you apply: check your state’s dates

LIHEAP is not a single national application. You apply through the program in your state, typically at a county office or a local community action agency. Start dates vary: Illinois begins on October 1, 2026 with priority groups such as adults 60 and older, and Pennsylvania opens on November 2, 2026. Some states accept applications year-round, while others open later in the winter. Many close early once funds run out, so applying as soon as your state opens is the safest approach.

If you got LIHEAP help last season, look through your mail: some states send returning households an application or a registration number before the season starts.

The National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) line is a free referral service that puts you in touch with your local LIHEAP office. Representatives take calls on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time, and you can also email [email protected] with your city, county and state. In Pennsylvania, the state LIHEAP helpline is 1-866-857-7095, and you can also apply online through COMPASS.

Documents to have ready

Every state keeps its own list, but these are the items most programs request:

• Photo ID for the person applying.
• Proof of income for everyone in the household, such as pay stubs, a Social Security or pension statement, or an unemployment letter. States look at different time frames, like the past 30 days or the past 12 months.
• Social Security numbers for household members, if your state requires them.
• A recent heating or utility bill showing your account number, or the name of your fuel dealer.
• Proof of address, such as a lease or another bill.
• A shutoff notice, if you received one, and proof of SNAP, SSI or TANF if you get those benefits.

If you have a shutoff notice or no heat

Let the office know right away that you have an emergency. LIHEAP crisis programs are required to provide some form of help within 48 hours after an eligible household applies, or within 18 hours if the situation is life-threatening. In Pennsylvania, households facing a heating emergency can request crisis grants of up to $1,000 over the 2026-27 season.

Contact your utility company as well. Many states restrict winter shutoffs for certain households, and utilities often offer payment plans while an application is being processed. The LIHEAP Clearinghouse maintains a state-by-state list of disconnection rules.

If you don’t qualify or the money runs out

• Ask your utility about payment plans, budget billing or low-income discount rates.
• Call 211 to locate local charities and fuel funds near you.
• Ask about weatherization: the U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program can help reduce energy costs for eligible homes.
• Apply again next season: limits and amounts change every year.

How to avoid scams

LIHEAP applications cost nothing. No official program charges an application fee, promises approval over the phone or asks for gift cards. If someone calls or texts offering to “speed up” your grant, hang up and call your local office at the number listed in the official LIHEAP office search or on your state’s website.

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This page is for information only and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, any state agency or any utility. Dates, documents, income limits and amounts are set by each state and can change. Sources: LIHEAP Clearinghouse (HHS/ACF), LIHEAP statute, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Illinois DCEO.