DokuDocsdokudocs.com- What it does
- Helps pay heating and cooling bills, and can help with crisis situations like shutoff notices
- Who runs it
- States, through local community action agencies, with federal money
- Income limits
- Set by each state, generally up to 150% of the poverty line or 60% of state median income
- Priority
- Households with older adults, people with disabilities or young children often get priority
- Funding
- All fiscal 2026 federal funds were released by April 2026; 2027 funding isn't settled yet
Older adults are especially vulnerable to heat and cold. Many take medications that affect body temperature, and they're less likely to notice when they're overheating. In the South, a parent who turns off the air conditioning to save money in August is taking a real risk. In the North, a parent who keeps the heat at 60 degrees all winter is too.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is the main federal program that helps pay home energy bills. It's federally funded but run by states, usually through local community action agencies.
What LIHEAP can help with
Programs vary by state, but generally include:
- Regular assistance, a payment toward heating or cooling bills, sent directly to the utility
- Crisis assistance, for shutoff notices, disconnections or running out of fuel
- Equipment help in some states, for repairing or replacing broken heating or cooling systems
- Weatherization referrals to make the home more efficient
In Florida, for example, a household can receive a home energy award once a year, and crisis awards of up to $1,000 a year.
Who qualifies
Each state sets its own rules within federal limits. Generally:
- Household income at or below 150% of the federal poverty line or 60% of state median income, whichever the state chooses
- Responsibility for paying the home's energy costs (directly, or as part of rent)
- Households receiving SNAP, SSI or TANF may qualify more easily
Many states give priority to households with an older adult, a person with a disability or a young child.
The funding picture
LIHEAP has been in the news. The federal government released the final share of fiscal 2026 funding in April 2026, after delays. The administration's proposed budget for fiscal 2027 again calls for eliminating the program, though Congress rejected the same proposal last year and increased funding instead. Practically, that means apply as early as possible each season, because local agencies can run out of money.
How to apply
- Find the local agency. Search your state's LIHEAP office or call 2-1-1. In Florida, apply through floridaliheap.com or the local provider listed there.
- Apply online, by mail or in person. Online is usually fastest. Local agencies can help with paper applications.
- Send proof. Income for everyone in the home, the most recent utility bill, IDs and Social Security numbers.
- If it's a crisis, say so. Shutoff notices and disconnections usually move to the front of the line.
Call the utility too Ask the power company about payment plans, budget billing and any program for customers with medical needs. If your parent depends on powered medical equipment, tell the utility and get it noted on the account.
Florida families: EHEAP for people 60+
Florida also runs the Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program (EHEAP). It helps low-income households with at least one person 60 or older during a home energy emergency. Call the Elder Helpline at 1-800-96-ELDER to be connected to the local provider.
Documents for an energy assistance application
- Photo ID for the person applying
- Social Security numbers and dates of birth for everyone in the home
- Proof of income for the last month (benefit letters, pension statements)
- The most recent utility bill
- Any shutoff or disconnection notice
- SNAP, SSI or other benefit letters, if any
Applications go fastest when you can upload documents on the spot. A DokuDocs vault keeps benefit letters and IDs ready, including during a hurricane-season outage.
While you wait
- Check on your parent during extreme heat or cold. A phone call isn't enough if they're confused; ask a neighbor or visit.
- Know the cooling or warming centers in their area.
- Look into SNAP and Medicare savings programs. Lowering other bills frees up money for utilities. See our SNAP for seniors guide.
When the power goes out, so does the filing cabinet Storms knock out power and sometimes much more. DokuDocs keeps your parent's important documents in the cloud, so you can still apply for help, file claims and prove identity when the house isn't accessible.
Questions families ask
Is LIHEAP only for heating?
No. In warm states like Florida, much of the money goes to cooling. Programs vary by state, and some also help with broken heating or cooling equipment.
My parent got a shutoff notice. What do we do today?
Call the local LIHEAP agency and say it's a crisis. Also call the utility, tell them an older adult lives in the home and ask about payment arrangements and any medical certificate program. In Florida, crisis assistance can be up to $1,000 a year.
Can my parent get LIHEAP if they're on SNAP or SSI?
Often yes, and in many states being on SNAP, SSI or TANF makes the income part of the application easier.
What's the Florida program for people 60+?
Florida also runs the Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program (EHEAP) for low-income households with someone 60 or older facing an energy emergency. Call 1-800-96-ELDER to be connected.
This guide explains public programs in plain language. It is not legal, medical or financial advice. Program rules, dollar amounts and phone numbers change, so confirm details with the agency before you apply. DokuDocs is not affiliated with any government agency.