Short answer
What are the income limits for LIHEAP?
States set their own LIHEAP income limits, up to the higher of 150 percent of poverty guidelines or 60 percent of state median income. (42 U.S.C. 8624(b)(2)) For FY 2027, 150 percent of the guidelines is $23,940 a year for one person or $49,500 for four. (ACF, LIHEAP IM-2026-01, Attachment 2) No state can exclude a household only because its income is under 110 percent of the guidelines. (42 U.S.C. 8624(b)(2))
| Fact | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Who sets the limit | Each state, territory, or tribe that runs LIHEAP | 42 U.S.C. 8624(b)(2) |
| Federal ceiling | The higher of 150 percent of poverty guidelines or 60 percent of state median income | 42 U.S.C. 8624(b)(2) |
| Federal floor | A state cannot exclude a household only because income is under 110 percent of poverty guidelines | 42 U.S.C. 8624(b)(2) |
| FY 2027 figures | Mandatory by October 1, 2026, or the start of the state's fiscal year | ACF, LIHEAP IM-2026-01 |
| Automatic income eligibility | States may treat households with someone on SNAP, SSI, TANF, or certain veterans' benefits as income eligible | 42 U.S.C. 8624(b)(2) |
Source: ACF, LIHEAP IM-2026-01, FPG and SMI estimates for FY 2027 and 42 U.S.C. 8624. Verified .
Your state or local energy assistance agency decides eligibility and benefit amounts. Benefit Bull is free and never submits applications for you.
LIHEAP is federal money that states, territories, and tribes run under their own program names. ACF publishes the federal figures each year. The FY 2027 figures became mandatory on October 1, 2026, or at the start of a state's fiscal year. (ACF, LIHEAP IM-2026-01)
Below: the federal tables, the official limits in Minnesota, Indiana, Massachusetts, and Texas, what counts as income, how states check it, and how the money is paid. You apply yourself through your state or local agency, and applying is free: ACF says LIHEAP does not charge a fee for receiving a benefit. (ACF, LIHEAP)
How are LIHEAP income limits set?
The law lets a state help households with income up to the higher of 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines or 60 percent of the state's median income. A state may choose a lower limit, but it cannot exclude a household only because income is under 110 percent of the guidelines. (42 U.S.C. 8624(b)(2))
| Household size | 150% of guidelines, monthly | 150% of guidelines, annual | 110% floor, annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,995 | $23,940 | $17,556 |
| 2 | $2,705 | $32,460 | $23,804 |
| 3 | $3,415 | $40,980 | $30,052 |
| 4 | $4,125 | $49,500 | $36,300 |
| 5 | $4,835 | $58,020 | $42,548 |
| 6 | $5,545 | $66,540 | $48,796 |
| 7 | $6,255 | $75,060 | $55,044 |
| 8 | $6,965 | $83,580 | $61,292 |
ACF's table continues to 12 people. Above 12, add $8,520 a year per person at 150 percent. Alaska and Hawaii have their own, higher figures. (ACF, LIHEAP IM-2026-01, Attachment 2)
Find your household size in the table. If your income is under the 150 percent figure, keep reading: your state may still use an even higher limit.
What is the most a state may use?
In the five states below, 60 percent of state median income is higher than 150 percent of the poverty guidelines, so it is the most each state may use. It is the federal maximum, not each state's actual limit. (ACF, LIHEAP IM-2026-01, Attachment 4)
| State | 1 person | 2 people | 3 people | 4 people |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $46,156 | $60,358 | $74,560 | $88,763 |
| Indiana | $34,635 | $45,292 | $55,949 | $66,607 |
| Massachusetts | $53,585 | $70,073 | $86,561 | $103,049 |
| Texas | $35,018 | $45,793 | $56,568 | $67,343 |
| Kentucky | $32,489 | $42,485 | $52,482 | $62,479 |
Do not treat this table as your limit. Use it to see the most your state is allowed to use, then check your state's own number in the next section.
What are the LIHEAP income limits by state?
| State | Program | Official income limit | More |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | Energy Assistance Program (EAP) | $3,205 a month for 1, $6,164 for 4 (50 percent of state median income, FFY27) | Minnesota Energy Assistance Program |
| Indiana | Energy Assistance Program (EAP) | $2,796 a month for 1, $5,377 for 4 (60 percent of state median income, Program Year 2027) | Indiana Energy Assistance Program |
| Massachusetts | Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) | $53,585 a year for 1, $103,049 for 4 (FY 2027) | Massachusetts Fuel Assistance |
| Texas | Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) | 150 percent of the 2026 poverty guidelines: $23,940 a year for 1, $49,500 for 4 | TDHCA, Help for Texans |
Minnesota households may qualify for EAP with gross income up to $3,205 a month for one person or $6,164 for four. These official limits apply October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027. (Minnesota Commerce, EAP income guidelines)
Indiana households that make 60 percent of state median income or less may qualify: $2,796 a month for one person or $5,377 for four, the official Program Year 2027 limits. IHCDA's chart sits a little below ACF's FY 2027 figure for 60 percent of Indiana's median income in the table above, and IHCDA's chart is the one Indiana uses. Applications are open October 1, 2026, to April 30, 2027. (IHCDA, Energy Assistance Program)
Massachusetts households may qualify for HEAP with gross annual income up to $53,585 for one person or $103,049 for four, the official FY 2027 limits. Renters, homeowners, and households with heat included in rent can apply. (Mass.gov, Learn about Home Energy Assistance)
Texas runs LIHEAP as CEAP through local agencies that cover all 254 counties. (TDHCA, CEAP) TDHCA calculates CEAP eligibility at 150 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines, using the 2026 guidelines effective January 26, 2026: $23,940 a year for one person or $49,500 for four. (TDHCA, Community Affairs Income Guidelines) Texas's 2027 LIHEAP plan also sets heating assistance at 150 percent of the poverty guidelines. (TDHCA, 2027 LIHEAP Plan)
Kentucky: we have not confirmed a final 2026 to 2027 Kentucky limit on an official state page, so we do not list one. Kentucky's limit cannot be higher than its federal maximum in the table above. To find where to apply in Kentucky or any other state, visit USA.gov, Get help with energy bills, or call the National Energy Assistance Referral hotline at 1-866-674-6327, weekdays 9:00 am to 7:00 pm Eastern. (ACF, LIHEAP)
Use your state's official limit, not the federal ceiling, to decide whether to apply. If you are close to the line, apply anyway and let the agency decide.
Is Social Security counted as income for LIHEAP?
Usually, yes. The LIHEAP law does not define income, and ACF says income generally means gross income, though some states use net income to deduct certain medical or work expenses. (ACF, LIHEAP IM-2026-01) Minnesota's application, for example, lists Veteran's Benefits, Social Security, RSDI, and SSI among the income you show proof for, with award letters or bank statements. (Minnesota Commerce, EAP application)
Have your most recent Social Security or SSI award letter ready before you apply. It is the proof most agencies ask for.
How does LIHEAP confirm income?
You send proof, and each state looks at a different window of time:
- Minnesota: income from the last full calendar month. (Minnesota Commerce, EAP application)
- Indiana: your household's most recent three months of income. (IHCDA, Energy Assistance Program)
- Massachusetts: proof of income for the 30 days before your application date, such as wages or pension. (Mass.gov, Learn about Home Energy Assistance)
Before you apply, gather pay stubs and benefit letters that cover your state's income window.
Is LIHEAP open this winter?
Federal funds are moving. On October 9, 2026, ACF released $3,631,860,000 in FY 2027 LIHEAP block grant funding to states, territories, and tribes. That is 90 percent of the funding available under the current continuing resolution. (ACF, FY 2027 first block grant funding release)
Each state sets its own application window. Indiana's runs October 1, 2026, to April 30, 2027. (IHCDA, Energy Assistance Program) Minnesota's program year runs October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027. (Minnesota Commerce, EAP income guidelines)
Apply early in the season. Check your state's guide above for its dates.
Does LIHEAP pay every month?
No, in the states we checked. Indiana EAP is a one-time annual benefit, paid directly to the utility vendor. (IHCDA, Energy Assistance Program) In Minnesota, payments go directly to your utility or fuel provider. (Minnesota Commerce, Energy Assistance Program) Minnesota's primary heat benefit is an estimated $200 to $1,400 for FFY27. (Minnesota Commerce, FFY27 EAP policy manual)
For ways to cut the bill itself, see 7 Ways to Lower Your Utility Bills.
You submit your application yourself on the official site. Benefit Bull is free and never files for you.
Keep paying what you can on your energy bill while you wait. The benefit goes to your provider, not to you.
Frequently asked questions
Does LIHEAP use gross or net income?
Usually gross. ACF says income generally means gross income, but some states use net income to deduct certain medical or work expenses. Check your state's rules before you apply. (ACF, LIHEAP IM-2026-01)
Can getting SNAP or SSI help me qualify for LIHEAP?
It can. Federal law lets states treat households that include someone receiving SNAP, SSI, TANF, or certain veterans' benefits as income eligible. Your state decides whether it uses this rule. (42 U.S.C. 8624(b)(2))
Does it cost money to apply for LIHEAP?
No. ACF says LIHEAP does not charge a fee for receiving a benefit. If someone asks you for a fee or offers you a LIHEAP grant, call the HHS Fraud Hotline at 1-800-447-8477. (ACF, LIHEAP) Massachusetts says its program is 100% free for those who qualify. (Mass.gov, Learn about Home Energy Assistance)
Does Benefit Bull apply for LIHEAP for me?
No. Benefit Bull is free and shows programs you may qualify for. You apply yourself through your state or local energy assistance office, and the agency decides eligibility and amounts.
What are the LIHEAP numbers to remember?
- $49,500
- 150 percent of poverty guidelines, 4 people, per year (FY 2027)
- 110%
- Federal floor: no state can exclude a household only for income under this
- $3.6 billion
- First FY 2027 block grant release, October 9, 2026
- 1-866-674-6327
- NEAR hotline to find where to apply
Want to see whether energy help and other programs may fit your household? The free check shows estimated values and links to the official application.
Sources: (42 U.S.C. 8624(b)(2)) (ACF, LIHEAP IM-2026-01) (ACF, FY 2027 first block grant funding release) (ACF, LIHEAP)
What this adds up to
A household of four with income at or under $49,500 a year is within 150 percent of the guidelines, and many states go higher, up to 60 percent of state median income. Your state's official limit is the one that counts, and your state or local agency decides. Applying is free; ACF says LIHEAP does not charge a fee for receiving a benefit. (ACF, LIHEAP) Questions about this guide: ben@benefitbull.com.
Sources
Every claim above links to the source it came from. Figures checked October 2026. Last updated October 18, 2026.
- 42 U.S.C. 8624, Applications and requirements (U.S. Code, 2024 edition, govinfo) (accessed October 17, 2026)
- ACF, LIHEAP IM-2026-01, Federal Poverty Guidelines and State Median Income Estimates, mandatory use in FY 2027 (issued April 24, 2026) (accessed October 17, 2026)
- ACF, LIHEAP IM-2026-01, Attachment 2, 100, 110, and 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, FY 2027 (accessed October 17, 2026)
- ACF, LIHEAP IM-2026-01, Attachment 4, State Median Income by household size, FY 2027 (accessed October 17, 2026)
- ACF, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) (accessed October 18, 2026)
- ACF, LIHEAP First Block Grant Funding Release, FY 2027 (October 9, 2026) (accessed October 17, 2026)
- Minnesota Commerce, EAP income guidelines (FFY27) (accessed October 17, 2026)
- Minnesota Commerce, Energy Assistance Program (accessed October 17, 2026)
- Minnesota Commerce, 2026 to 2027 Minnesota Energy Programs Application (English) (accessed October 17, 2026)
- Minnesota Commerce, FFY27 EAP Policy Manual (accessed October 17, 2026)
- IHCDA, Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) (accessed October 18, 2026)
- Mass.gov, Learn about Home Energy Assistance (HEAP) (accessed October 17, 2026)
- USA.gov, Get help with energy bills (accessed October 18, 2026)
- TDHCA, Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) (accessed October 17, 2026)
- TDHCA, Community Affairs Income Guidelines (Program Year 2026 Federal Poverty Income Guidelines, effective January 26, 2026) (accessed October 17, 2026)
- TDHCA, 2027 LIHEAP Plan (accessed October 17, 2026)
