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Energy Assistance: Which states offer assistance programs?

Summer is here, which means many Americans are more concerned about the rising energy costs.

home energy assistance programs

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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