Help With Energy Bills: LIHEAP and Weatherization Assistance

Two federal programs can reduce what a low-income household pays for energy: LIHEAP, which helps pay bills and handle emergencies, and the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), which upgrades the home so it uses less energy. Both are income-based and run locally, so you apply through your state's office. Details below reflect the agency pages as of October 2026 (the USAGov page was last updated January 13, 2026).

1. LIHEAP: help paying the bill

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, run by the HHS Administration for Children and Families, can help in several ways. The agency says LIHEAP funds can support:

• Home heating bills
• Preventing energy shutoffs
• Reconnecting services
• Making homes more energy efficient
• Repairing or replacing heating equipment

USAGov adds that LIHEAP can help with cooling bills and emergency services during an energy crisis, and that in some places it may also help with electric bills. Eligibility is based on income, but every state and territory has its own requirements, so a household that qualifies in one state may not in another.

1.1. How to apply

USAGov lays out three steps: answer a few questions to see if you qualify, find your state or territory's LIHEAP office, and apply. Some offices take applications online and others require you to apply in person.

For help finding the right office, the ACF page lists the National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) hotline at 1-866-674-6327, weekdays 9:00 am to 7:00 pm Eastern, and the website EnergyHelp.us. The ACF page also links separate contact lists for state and territory grant recipients and for tribal grant recipients, so a tribal household can look up its tribe's office there.

2. Weatherization Assistance Program: lower the bill itself

The Department of Energy describes WAP as a program that reduces energy costs for low-income households by improving the energy efficiency of their homes while ensuring health and safety. DOE reports:

• About 32,000 homes served each year with DOE funds
• Households save $372 or more per year on average, based on a national evaluation
• More than 7.2 million families helped since 1976

At $372 a year, the average saving works out to $31 a month ($372 divided by 12). That is an average from the evaluation, so an individual home can come out higher or lower.

USAGov says eligibility depends on income, and that you may also qualify if you already receive a federal benefit such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Contact your state's WAP office to check and apply.

3. If your utilities are disconnected

USAGov notes that each state has a different policy on when a utility can disconnect electricity or natural gas for non-payment. Policies may depend on the weather, your age, whether you have a disability, and which provider you have. If service is cut off, look up your state's policy and the office to contact. Because rules vary, call your utility before a due date passes and ask what options exist.

4. How the two fit together

The two address different problems, and the sources do not say you must choose one.

5. Before you call

The sources do not list a document checklist, so ask your state or local office what it wants to see. If you receive TANF or SSI, mention it, since USAGov says those benefits can also qualify you for weatherization help. If you cannot tell which office covers your address, the NEAR hotline can point you to it.

6. Key takeaways

• LIHEAP can help with heating bills, cooling bills, shutoff prevention, reconnection, and heating equipment repair or replacement.
• Eligibility is income-based and set state by state; find your state office through USAGov or the NEAR hotline, 1-866-674-6327.
• WAP improves home efficiency; DOE reports an average saving of $372 a year (about $31 a month).
• You may qualify for WAP through TANF or SSI as well as by income.
• Shutoff rules differ by state, so check yours early.