How to Get Help Paying Your Heating Bill

Where to start when you can't afford heat

The fastest way to find heating help is to call 211 or visit 211.org and enter your zip code. A counselor will tell you which programs are currently accepting requests in your area, because heating assistance funds open and close throughout the year depending on demand and funding. You will need your utility bill, proof of income (a recent pay stub or tax return), and your Social Security number to move forward with most programs.

If 211 is slow or you want to start immediately, contact your local community action agency directly — these are the organizations that actually run most heating assistance programs. You can find yours by searching "[your county] community action agency" online. They handle both the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which is federally funded, and state-specific heating programs that vary widely by location.

Your utility company itself may also run a hardship program or know about local resources. Call the customer service number on your bill and ask whether they have emergency assistance, budget billing, or a list of nonprofits that help their customers. Some utilities will pause disconnection while you pursue other help.

Key Takeaways

• Call 211 or visit 211.org to find which heating assistance programs are currently open in your area, since funds run out and reopen throughout the year.
• Most programs require proof of income, a utility bill, and your Social Security number, and they typically cover arrears (bills you already owe) rather than future bills.
• Community action agencies run the actual programs and can tell you in one call whether you meet the income limits and whether money is available right now.
• Your utility company may offer its own hardship program or payment plan while you pursue other assistance.
• Heating assistance usually takes two to four weeks to process, so contact your utility company immediately to ask about a grace period or payment plan.

Income limits and what programs actually cover

Heating assistance programs set income limits based on household size, and these limits vary by state. Most programs serve households at or below 150% to 200% of the federal poverty line, though some states go higher. A community action agency can tell you the exact limit for your household in about two minutes — call and have your most recent pay stub ready.

Programs typically pay your utility company directly, not you. They cover heating bills you have already fallen behind on rather than preventing future disconnection, though some will also help with a current bill if you are behind. A few programs cover both heat and other utilities like electricity or water; others cover heat only. The amount varies — some programs cap assistance at $500 or $1,000 per year, while others have no cap but run out of money partway through winter.

LIHEAP, the federal program, prioritizes households with elderly people, children, or someone with a disability. If your household includes any of these, mention it when you contact the community action agency, because it may move you higher in the queue.

What documents you will need

Gather these before you call or visit:

• Your most recent heating bill or utility statement
• Proof of income for the past 30 days (pay stub, benefits letter, tax return, or bank statements showing regular deposits)
• Proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement)
• Social Security numbers for all household members
• Proof of citizenship or legal residency (driver's license, passport, or green card)

If you are behind on your bill, bring the disconnection notice or past-due letter. If you have already been disconnected, bring proof of the disconnection date. Programs often move faster when there is an active threat or a recent disconnection.

Some programs ask for proof of other assistance you receive (food stamps, housing vouchers, Medicaid). Have your case numbers or benefit letters ready if you receive any of these.

How the approval process works and how long it takes

After you submit your information, the community action agency verifies your income and residency, then checks whether funds are available. This typically takes two to four weeks. During this time, contact your utility company and tell them you have applied for assistance — ask whether they will hold off on disconnection while your request is being reviewed. Many utilities will pause collection activity for 30 days if you can show proof of application.

Once approved, the program pays your utility company directly. You will receive a letter confirming the amount and the date the payment was sent. If your bill is larger than the program's maximum, you remain responsible for the difference, though some programs will help you set up a payment plan for what they cannot cover.

If you are denied, ask why. Common reasons are income too high, already receiving assistance for that bill from another program, or the fund running out of money. If the fund is closed, ask when it reopens — many programs reopen in fall or winter when demand rises.

State-specific programs beyond LIHEAP

Many states run their own heating assistance programs in addition to LIHEAP, and these sometimes have higher income limits or cover different expenses. New York has the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), which covers heat, electricity, and water. Massachusetts has the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program. Pennsylvania offers both LIHEAP and the Low Income Usage Reduction Program (LIURP), which weatherizes homes to lower future bills.

Your community action agency will tell you about all programs you may be able to use. Some people may have access to for more than one program in the same year, though most programs will not pay the same bill twice. Ask specifically whether you can stack assistance — for example, using one program to cover arrears and another to cover the current month.

If you live in a state with a particularly cold climate, check whether your state has a winter-specific emergency fund. These often open in November or December and close in March or April.

What to do if you have already been disconnected

If your heat has already been shut off, call your utility company immediately and ask about reconnection. Some utilities will reconnect for free or at a reduced fee if you are pursuing heating assistance. Explain that you have applied and provide the community action agency's contact information if the utility asks for verification.

Some heating assistance programs will pay reconnection fees in addition to the bill itself. Ask the community action agency whether reconnection is covered under the program you are pursuing. If the utility wants a deposit to reconnect, ask whether the assistance program can pay that as well.

If reconnection is refused or delayed, contact your state's utility commission or public utilities board. These agencies can sometimes order reconnection during winter months, especially if you have a child or elderly person in the home.

Other options if heating assistance is not available right now

If the heating assistance fund is closed or you do not meet income limits, ask your utility company about budget billing, which spreads your annual heating costs evenly across 12 months so winter bills are lower. Some utilities offer this at no extra charge. You can also ask about a payment plan for what you owe — many utilities will work with you on timing if you show good faith by making partial payments.

Local nonprofits, churches, and community organizations sometimes have emergency heating funds separate from government programs. Call 211 again and ask specifically about nonprofit assistance. Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, and local food banks often know about these smaller funds.

If you rent, ask your landlord whether they can help with the bill or negotiate with the utility on your behalf. In some states, landlords are required to provide heat, and if yours is not, you may have legal grounds to withhold rent or break the lease. Contact your local tenant rights organization to understand your state's rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get heating assistance if I own my home?

Yes. Homeowners and renters are both served by heating assistance programs. If you own your home, you will need proof of ownership (mortgage statement or property tax bill) instead of a lease. If you have a mortgage, some programs require lender approval before paying, though this is becoming less common.

What if my income is slightly above the limit?

Call the community action agency and ask anyway. Some programs have a small income buffer, and some count only certain types of income. Deductions for child care or medical expenses sometimes lower your countable income enough to may have access to. It costs nothing to ask.

Do I have to repay heating assistance?

No. LIHEAP and most state heating programs are grants, not loans. You do not repay them. If a program tells you that assistance must be repaid, it is not a standard heating assistance program — ask for clarification before proceeding.

Can I get help if I use oil heat or propane instead of natural gas?

Yes, though coverage varies by program. LIHEAP covers oil and propane, but some state programs cover only natural gas or electricity. Ask the community action agency whether the specific program covers your heating fuel type.

What happens if I get heating assistance and then my income goes up?

Heating assistance is usually a one-time payment per year, so a future income increase will not affect assistance you have already received. If you receive assistance and then your income rises significantly before the next heating season, you may not may have access to the following year.