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LIHEAP — Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program

LIHEAP — Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program

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Federal energy-bill help, fully funded for FY2026 ($4.05B nationally, ~$242M for California — all funds released to states as of April 2026). Pays a one-time credit toward your gas/electric/propane/wood-heat bill ($94 minimum to $1,500 maximum; typical Nevada County awards $350-$1,000), fast-tracks help if you have a shutoff notice (ECIP), and provides free home weatherization (WAP). In Nevada County, apply through Project GO at (888) 524-5705, press 2. Income limit: 60% of state median (about $3,331/mo for one person, $6,407/mo for a family of four). Verified 2026-05-30
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LIHEAP — Programa de Asistencia de Energía para Hogares de Bajos Ingresos
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https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ocs/programs/liheap
Last verified 2026-05-17. LIHEAP is fully funded for federal fiscal year 2026 at $4.045 billion nationally; California's allocation is about $242 million. All FY2026 funds have been released to states as of April 2026. [Source: publicpower.org/periodical (accessed 2026-05-17)]
LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program) helps you pay your gas, electric, propane, or wood-heat bills, get free home weatherization, and handle utility shutoff emergencies. It's a federal program, run in California by the Department of Community Services and Development (CSD). You don't apply to the state — you apply through your local provider.

Who qualifies

You qualify if your household income is at or below 60% of California's State Median Income. As of 2026, the monthly gross income limits are:
  • 1 person: $3,331
  • 2 people: $4,356
  • 3 people: $5,382
  • 4 people: $6,407
  • 5 people: $7,432
  • 6 people: $8,457
Add $192 per additional person beyond six. You can qualify whether you rent or own, and whether utilities are in your name or included in your rent. U.S. citizenship is not required. [Source: csd.ca.gov/Pages/LIHEAP-Income-Eligibility (accessed 2026-05-17)]

What you get

HEAP — one-time bill credit. Once per program year, LIHEAP pays a credit directly to your utility (PG&E, SoCal Edison, etc.) or reimburses you for propane/wood. In California for FY2026, benefits range from a $94 minimum to a $1,500 maximum, based on income and energy costs. Project GO, the Nevada County provider, reports typical awards of $350 to $1,000. [Source: liheapch.acf.gov/profiles/California (accessed 2026-05-17)] [Source: projectgoinc.org/heap (accessed 2026-05-17)]
ECIP — crisis help. If you have a shutoff notice, are already disconnected, or are out of propane/wood, ECIP fast-tracks your application — usually within 48 hours. Call your local provider immediately and say "I have a shutoff" or "I have no fuel."
WAP — free weatherization. If your home qualifies, contractors install insulation, weatherstripping, and sometimes replace inefficient furnaces, water heaters, or refrigerators at no cost. Renters can qualify with landlord permission.

How to apply (Nevada County)

Project GO, Inc. delivers LIHEAP in Nevada and Placer counties.
  • Call (888) 524-5705 and press 2 for Nevada County.
  • Leave a voicemail. A program assistant returns the call within 24–48 hours and takes your application by phone.
  • The mailbox accepts up to 40 calls per day — if it's full, try again after 9 a.m. the next morning.
You'll get a packet by mail listing documents to send back: recent pay stubs or benefit award letters for everyone in the household, a recent utility bill (or proof of fuel cost), and ID. [Source: projectgoinc.org/heap (accessed 2026-05-17)]
If you're outside Nevada/Placer counties, find your local provider at csd.ca.gov (Energy Programs → Find a Service Provider).

Common pitfalls

  • Apply early in the program year (October–November). Local funds can run out before the year ends, especially in cold or hot snaps.
  • HEAP is once per program year. If you got a credit in November, you can't get another one in March — but you can still ask about ECIP for a crisis or WAP for weatherization.
  • The credit goes to your utility, not your bank. Don't expect a check. Confirm the credit appeared on your next bill.
  • Past-due balance doesn't disqualify you — in fact, ECIP exists for exactly that situation.
  • No phone? No problem. Ask a neighbor, library staff, or social worker to call on your behalf. Project GO will speak with an authorized helper.

Where to get help

  • California CSD statewide: csd.ca.gov — find providers in other counties
  • 211: Dial 211 from any phone for a referral to your nearest LIHEAP agency
  • PG&E CARE / FERA discount: A separate utility-discount program you can stack on top of LIHEAP — apply through PG&E directly
Freshness update (2026-05-30): Re-verified. FY2026 LIHEAP is fully funded and all money has been released to states, including California's roughly \$242 million. The program is open now — apply through Project GO at (888) 524-5705 (press 2). Looking ahead: the federal FY2027 budget request again proposes eliminating LIHEAP, but Congress has restored it every time so far (and added \$20 million for 2026). Nothing changes for this program year, but it's worth applying early and not assuming the same help will exist in late 2026 / 2027 without checking.