Practical guidance for living healthier, aging well, and becoming more of who you want to be.
High heating and cooling bills can strain a fixed income. The federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program supports state, tribal, and local programs that may help eligible households with energy costs. Other local aging programs may help with transportation, meals, home support, or benefit counseling.
What LIHEAP may help with
Services differ by location and available funding. Depending on the program, LIHEAP may help with heating or cooling bills, an energy emergency, weatherization referrals, or other approved energy-related needs. It is not an automatic national payment, and the federal eligibility tool does not issue final approvals.
Find the correct local application
- Use the official LIHEAP eligibility and local-office tool.
- Select your state or territory and answer the basic screening questions.
- Follow the result to the state, local, or tribal LIHEAP office responsible for applications.
- Ask about application periods, funding availability, required documents, and emergency procedures.
For assistance finding the correct office, the federal LIHEAP information line listed by the program is 1-866-674-6327.
Documents to gather
Programs commonly request identification, proof of residence, household income, household members, and recent utility bills or shutoff notices. The local office will provide the exact requirements. Do not send documents to an unofficial website.
Find other services near you
The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the U.S. Administration for Community Living. Enter a ZIP code or location to find community resources for older adults and families. Services may include meals and nutrition support, transportation, home care, housing information, legal help, caregiver support, and connections to an Area Agency on Aging.
You can also call or text 1-800-677-1116 to speak with trained staff during the service’s posted hours.
If you receive a shutoff threat
Contact the utility company and the local LIHEAP office promptly. Ask about emergency assistance, payment arrangements, and any state protections that may apply. Availability and deadlines vary, so do not wait for a general benefit application to resolve an immediate shutoff risk.
Avoid energy-assistance scams
Be cautious if someone promises a grant in exchange for a fee, requests gift cards, or asks for account credentials. Start at an official `.gov` resource and verify the local agency before sharing personal documents.
Important: LIHEAP and local aging services vary by state, tribe, community, funding, and time of year. This article is general education and does not guarantee assistance. The responsible local agency makes all eligibility and funding decisions. Review date: August 27, 2026.
