Summer is here, which means many Americans are more concerned about the rising energy costs.
Here’s what energy assistance programs are available in each state.
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Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) uses federal funding to provide energy credit payments to support low-income residents burdened with energy costs. The program leaves the allocation of the funds up to the state’s discretion– so not every state provides cooling assistance during the summer months. The following list will indicate what assistance each state offers:
Alabama
Program: Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Income level: cannot exceed 150% of the federal poverty level
Eligibility: The program is open to US citizens or qualified aliens who are residents of Alabama, in need of help with heating costs.
Alaska
Program: Heating Assistance Program (HAP)
Income level: To qualify, your income should be at least 225% of the federal poverty level.
Eligibility: The program is open to US citizens or qualified aliens who are residents of Alaska, in need of help with heating costs.
Arizona
Program: LIHEAP
Eligibility: Eligibility is determined by the local Community Action Agency level.
Arkansas
Program: LIHEAP
Eligibility: Individuals must be residents of Arkansas and meet the required income threshold
California
Program: LIHEAP
Eligibility: The eligibility criteria depends on multiple factors including income, household size, place of residence, and others.
Colorado
Program: Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)
Eligibility: An individual’s income cannot exceed 60% of the state median income level
Connecticut
Program: Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP)
Eligibility: The program is open to residents of the state who fail to meet certain income thresholds. Residents must also have a Social Security Number
Delaware
Program: Delaware Energy Assistance Program (DEAP)
Eligibility: Residents that have an income is classified as as 200% of the federal poverty level are eligible.
Florida
Program: LIHEAP
Eligibility: Individuals must possess an income less than 60 percent of the Florida State Median Income. They must also be responsible for paying their home heating and cooling bills. Individuals must also be US citizens, qualified aliens or permanent residents.
Georgia
Program: LIHEAP
Eligibility: The program is open to US citizens or legally admitted immigrants. The individuals must have incomes at or below 60% of the state’s median income, and are responsible for paying their home heating or cooling bills.
Hawaii
Program: LIHEAP
Eligibility: Open to Hawaii residents, whose annual household income falls at or below the mentioned income levels. Individuals applying for these benefits must also have a Social Security Number.
Idaho
Program: LIHEAP
Eligibility: The benefits are open to residents who need financial assistance with home energy costs.
Illinois
Program: LIHEAP
Eligibility: This is open to residents whose income may not exceed 200 percent of the federal nonfarm poverty level.
Indiana
Program: LIHEAP/Energy Assistance Program (EAP)
Eligibility: Open to residents, whose households make 60% or less than the state median income.
Iowa
Program: LIHEAP/WAP
Eligibility: Individuals applying must be at or below 200% of the 2021 federal poverty guidelines.
Kansas
Program: Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)
Eligibility: People applying must be personally responsible for paying heating costs, and provide recent history of payments. A household’s combined gross income may not exceed 150% of the federal poverty level.
Kentucky
Program: LIHEAP
Eligibility: Residents who qualify, must be at or below 130% of the federal poverty level.
Louisiana
Program: LIHEAP
Eligibility: In order to be eligible residents must be responsible for the household energy bill, active heating/cooling utility account, at or below 60% of the state median income.
Maine
Program: LIHEAP
Eligibility: Individuals must be US citizens or qualified aliens. Their household incomes must fall below 60% of the state area median.
Maryland
Program: Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP)
Eligibility: The bills must be in the applicant’s name, and their income must be at or below 200% of the 2021 federal poverty guidelines.
Massachusetts
Program: LIHEAP
Eligibility: For residents to qualify their income cannot exceed 60% of the estimated State Median Income.
Michigan
Program: Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP)
Eligibility: Those resident who are applying must have a household income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level.
Minnesota
Program: EAP
Eligibility: Eligibility is based on the three most recent months of income.
Mississippi
Program: LIHEAP
Eligibility: Eligible residents must be 18 years of age or an emancipated minor, within 60% of the current state median income poverty guidelines.
Missouri
Program: Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP)
Eligibility: Individuals must be responsible for paying the utilities for their homes. The program is also open to residents, US citizens, who have $3,000 or less in their bank accounts, retirement accounts, or investments, at or below the income guidelines.
Montana
Program: LIHEAP
Eligibility: Eligible residents, must meet specific income requirements based on household number.
Nebraska
Program: LIHEAP
Eligibility: Residents that have income at or below 150% of Federal Poverty Level are eligible.
Nevada
Program: EAP
Eligibility: Must be US citizen, with total monthly gross income cannot exceed 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
New Hampshire
Program: Fuel Assistance Program (FAP)
Eligibility: Open to residents whose gross household income of 60% of the New Hampshire State Median Income.
New Jersey
Program: HEAP
Eligibility: Open to residents whose gross income is at or below 60% of the State Median Income
New Mexico
Program: LIHEAP
Eligibility: Open to residents with a household income and other qualifications will be explained 45 days after your interview.
New York
Program: HEAP
Eligibility: Individuals must be US citizens or qualified aliens. The household gross monthly income must be at or below the current income guides for your household.
North Carolina
Program: Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)
Eligibility: Must be at least one US citizen or non-citizen who meets the eligibility criteria, meets an income test, has savings at or below $2,250. Individuals are responsible for heating costs.
North Dakota
Program: LIHEAP
Eligibility: Must be residents whose income must be at or below 60% of North Dakota’s median income.
Ohio
Program: HEAP
Eligibility: Household income is at or below 175% of the federal poverty guidelines.
Oklahoma
Program: LIHEAP
Eligibility: Individuals must be responsible for payment of home heating and cooling costs. Must be US citizens or legally admitted for permanent residency. You must have $2,000 for one person or $3,000 for two people, 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. Individuals must also meet specific income guidelines that vary according to household size and fuel type.
Oregon
Program: LIHEAP
Eligibility: Eligibility depends on household income that is at or below 60% of Oregon’s median income, must also have documented energy costs.
Pennsylvania
Program: LIHEAP
Eligibility: Individuals or households meet income guidelines, aren’t on public assistance, rent or own their own homes, and can’t have an unpaid heating bills.
Rhode Island
Program: LIHEAP
Eligibility: Households must meet 60% of Rhode Island’s median income levels. These households aren’t on public assistance, rent or own their homes, and don’t have an unpaid heating bill.
South Carolina
Program: LIHEAP
Eligibility: The Community Action Agency in their county determines their household’s income and any additional eligibility criteria.
South Dakota
Program: LIHEAP
Eligibility: The total gross income may not exceed maximum income guidelines. Households must also be responsible for paying home heating costs.
Tennessee
Program: LIHEAP
Eligibility: Household income must be at or below 60% of the state median income.
Texas
Program: Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEPA)/LIHEAP
Eligibility: Individuals and families must meet the income guidelines that vary each year.
Utah
Program: Home Energy Assistance Target (HEAT)
Eligibility: Eligibility depends on total household income, which must be at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level. Households are responsible for paying home energy costs. Household must also contain at least one US citizen or qualified non-citizen.
Vermont
Program: Green Mountain Power Energy Assistance
Eligibility: Resident’s total gross monthly household income must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty level.
OR
Program: Vermont Gas Energy Assistance
Eligibility: Resident’s gross monthly household income is at or below 185% of the federal poverty level.
Virginia
Program: EAP
Eligibility: Individuals or households must have heating or cooling expenses, and their gross monthly income may not exceed 150% of the federal poverty level.
Washington
Program: LIHEAP
Eligibility: The Income limit is set at 150% of the federal poverty level, with other factors determined via your local LIHEAP provider.
West Virginia
Program: LIEAP
Eligibility: Factors determining eligibility are income, type of heating payment, and total heating costs.
Wisconsin
Program: Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP)/LIHEAP
Eligibility: Based on income that is at or below 60% of the State Median Income.
Wyoming
Program: LIEAP
Eligibility: Individuals or households must meet federal income guidelines. Other factors include household size, and home heating fuel type.
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