Utility Assistance for Low-Income Households in 2026 (LIHEAP & More)

• Budget or level-pay billing that spreads costs evenly across the year.
• Discounted rates or monthly credits for income-qualified customers.
• Arrearage forgiveness that erases part of a past-due balance if you stay current going forward.
• Medical protections that prevent shutoff when someone in the home relies on electrically powered medical equipment.

Call the number on your bill and ask specifically about “financial hardship,” “customer assistance,” or “percentage of income payment” programs. Many utilities also partner with local nonprofits and can refer you to additional funds.

Lifeline: Affordable Phone and Internet

Utility bills are not only about energy. The FCC’s Lifeline program helps low-income households afford phone, internet, or bundled service. Lifeline provides a monthly discount on qualifying service from participating providers — up to $9.25 per month, or up to $34.25 per month for eligible residents of Tribal lands. Only one Lifeline benefit is allowed per household.

You may qualify if your household income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines, or if you participate in a qualifying program such as SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, SSI, Veterans Pension benefits, or certain Tribal programs. To apply, you use the National Verifier, the FCC’s centralized eligibility system operated by USAC, and then choose a participating provider. Eligibility is recertified each year.

Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)

The Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program reduces energy costs for low-income households by improving the energy efficiency of their homes. Instead of paying a single bill, WAP tackles the root cause of high bills — drafty windows, poor insulation, inefficient heating and cooling systems, and air leaks. According to the Department of Energy, households receiving weatherization services typically save an average of $372 or more per year, and the program has served more than 7.2 million families since 1976. WAP is delivered through state and local agencies, and households that receive LIHEAP are frequently eligible for weatherization too.

Programs at a Glance

Documents Checklist Before You Apply

Having paperwork ready speeds up nearly every application. Gather:

• ☐ Photo ID for the primary applicant
• ☐ Social Security numbers (or eligible immigration documentation) for household members
• ☐ Proof of income for everyone in the household (recent pay stubs, benefit award letters, etc.)
• ☐ A recent utility bill or shutoff/disconnection notice
• ☐ Proof of address (lease, mortgage statement, or a utility bill)
• ☐ Documentation of participation in other programs (SNAP, SSI, TANF, Medicaid) if applicable

Tips to Get the Most Help

• Apply early. Many programs are first come, first served and can exhaust funds mid-season.
• Stack programs. LIHEAP, a utility hardship plan, Lifeline, and weatherization can all work together.
• Ask about crisis funds if you have a shutoff notice — those are prioritized.
• Recertify on time. Lifeline and some state programs require annual renewal.
• Beware of scams. Official programs never charge an application fee. Apply only through your state office, your utility, or the official National Verifier.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What counts as “utility assistance” for low-income households? It is a group of programs that help with different utility costs: LIHEAP (home energy — heating, cooling, and crisis help), utility company hardship programs (discounts and payment plans), Lifeline (phone and internet), and the Weatherization Assistance Program (energy-efficiency upgrades). Many households use more than one at the same time.

2. Who qualifies for utility assistance? Eligibility is income-based and varies by program and state. LIHEAP generally uses the greater of 150% of the federal poverty guidelines or 60% of state median income; Lifeline uses 135% of the poverty guidelines or participation in a qualifying program such as SNAP, Medicaid, or SSI. Because limits vary and funds are limited, meeting an income test means you may qualify — it does not guarantee a benefit.

3. Does utility assistance help with summer cooling and air conditioning? In most states, yes — LIHEAP can help with summer electric bills for air conditioning, and some states offer crisis funds or help repairing or replacing a broken AC unit during dangerous heat. Cooling assistance and its application window vary by state, so ask your local office what is available and when it opens.

4. Can I get help with my phone or internet bill too? Yes. The FCC’s Lifeline program provides a monthly discount on phone, internet, or bundled service (up to $9.25, or up to $34.25 on Tribal lands) for eligible low-income households. You apply through the National Verifier and choose a participating provider, and you recertify each year.

5. How do I apply, and is there a fee? There is never a fee to apply for these programs. Apply for LIHEAP through your state or local office, ask your utility about hardship or customer-assistance programs, apply for Lifeline through the National Verifier, and contact your state weatherization agency for WAP. Gather your ID, proof of income, and a recent utility bill first to speed things up.

Learn how to apply for LIHEAP energy assistance.

Applying for LIHEAP? Gather the documents you need for LIHEAP.

Need a phone or internet too? See Lifeline free phone service.

Also see how to get low-cost internet.

What to Do Next

Utility help works best alongside other programs. Check whether you meet the SNAP eligibility requirements for grocery help, and if a bill is about to go unpaid, see emergency cash assistance for fast, short-term relief.

Related Reading (Internal Links)

• LIHEAP 2026: Energy Assistance to Apply for Heating and Cooling Bills
• Utility Deposit Assistance Programs by State 2026: Your Complete Guide to Housing Support
• SNAP Utility Allowance 2026: Can Electric and Gas Bills Raise Benefits for Disabled Households?

Official Sources

• LIHEAP — Administration for Children and Families (HHS): https://acf.gov/ocs/programs/liheap
• LIHEAP income eligibility guidance — ACF: https://acf.gov/ocs/policy-guidance/liheap-income-eligibility-guidelines
• Lifeline — Federal Communications Commission: https://www.fcc.gov/lifeline-consumers
• Weatherization Assistance Program — U.S. Department of Energy: https://www.energy.gov/scep/wap/weatherization-assistance-program

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Last reviewed: 2026-07-02 by the GlobalBenefits Editorial Team.

Official-source note: GlobalBenefits is not a government agency. LIHEAP and the utility programs described here are free to apply for through your state or local agency — never pay a fee to apply.

Households that need help with energy or utility bills often also qualify for SNAP food benefits. To check the rules where you live, see your state’s SNAP guide — for example Illinois, Ohio, Georgia, North Carolina, or Michigan. And if a utility bill or your rent is about to go unpaid, see emergency rental assistance and emergency cash assistance for fast, short-term help.

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Before You Apply: A Quick Checklist

Benefit rules change often and vary by state, so confirm the current details from official sources before you apply:

• Official application link — apply only through the official state or federal portal, never a paid third-party site.
• Eligibility criteria — income limits and rules are updated each year; check the current figures for your household size.
• Documents needed — have your ID, Social Security numbers, proof of income, and proof of residency ready before you start.
• State agency page — your state agency makes the final decision and can confirm local rules and your application status.

Step-by-step guides for every part of utility and energy help: How to apply for LIHEAP, Documents needed to apply for LIHEAP, Check your LIHEAP application status, LIHEAP energy assistance (heating and cooling), Cooling assistance for summer electric bills, Help with a past-due electric bill, Help paying your water bill (LIHWAP), How to stop a utility shutoff, Weatherization Assistance Program, Lifeline free phone and internet, Texas LIHEAP energy assistance, Utility deposit assistance by state.