LIHEAP Income Limits 2026: State-by-State + How to Apply

LIHEAP income limits for 2026-27 are set by each state, up to a federal ceiling: the greater of 150% of the Federal Poverty Level or 60% of State Median Income. At 150% FPL, that’s $23,940 a year ($1,995 a month) for one person and $49,500 ($4,125 a month) for a family of four.

Your state may set the line higher using SMI, and many high-cost states do. This guide walks through every part of the rule that matters for federal fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027), including the auto-qualify paths that skip the income test entirely.

Three things to know before you read the table. First, LIHEAP is a federal block grant, but each state writes its own income chart inside the federal rule (42 U.S.C. § 8624(b)(2)). Second, states must use the 2026 HHS poverty guidelines and the new SMI estimates for FY2027 programs (ACF LIHEAP IM2026-01).

Third, if you receive SNAP, SSI, or TANF, check whether your state uses categorical eligibility. About 20 states do, and there your benefit letter can stand in for most of the income paperwork. Many applicants miss this.

Key Takeaways

• Federal LIHEAP rule: a state’s income limit can go up to the greater of 150% of FPL or 60% of State Median Income, and it cannot exclude households below 110% of FPL. Within that range, the state chooses.
• 2026-27 limit at 150% FPL for 1 person: $23,940/year ($1,995/month). For a family of 4: $49,500/year ($4,125/month).
• For FY2027, ACF’s 60% SMI figure is above 150% FPL in every state for households of 1 to 6 people, so every state may go higher for them. Pennsylvania stays at 150% FPL; New Jersey and New York use 60% SMI.
• In about 20 states, getting SNAP, TANF, or SSI can count as proof of income eligibility (categorical eligibility). Pennsylvania and Washington are not among them.
• On October 9, 2026, HHS released the first $3.63 billion of FY2027 LIHEAP block grant funds under a continuing resolution.
• The exact limit for your state is on your state’s LIHEAP portal, listed in the LIHEAP Clearinghouse directory.

How LIHEAP income limits actually work in 2026

Federal law sets a ceiling, not a single number. A state may make households eligible on income alone up to the greater of two benchmarks: 150% of the Federal Poverty Level or 60% of the State Median Income. Each state then picks its own cutoff at or below that ceiling.

States cannot exclude a household on income alone if it falls below 110% of FPL (42 U.S.C. § 8624(b)(2)). That room between the floor and the ceiling is why a family of four making $60,000 might qualify in one state and not in the next one over.

The Federal Poverty Level changes once a year. The 2026 figures, published by HHS on January 15, 2026, set the 1-person line at $15,960 and add $5,680 for each additional household member. LIHEAP programs must use them for FY2027.

Multiply by 1.5 and you’ve got the 150% FPL line: $23,940 for one person, $49,500 for four (ACF FY2027 FPG tables). Alaska and Hawaii use higher poverty guidelines: 150% FPL for four is $61,875 in Alaska and $56,925 in Hawaii.

State Median Income works differently. The federal Office of Community Services publishes 60% SMI estimates for every state by household size. The FY2027 table, built from Census Bureau survey data, became mandatory on October 1, 2026, and puts the U.S. median for a four-person family at $123,422.

For FY2027, 60% SMI comes out above 150% FPL in all 50 states and DC for households of one to six people. Even in Mississippi, the lowest, 60% SMI for four is $54,015 against $49,500 at 150% FPL. Whether a state uses that room is a budget choice.

Very large households can flip. For seven people, Mississippi’s 60% SMI is $72,920, below the $75,060 at 150% FPL, so the ceiling there is the poverty-based figure.

One detail trips up a lot of households. The “income” the state looks at is gross household income, before taxes, for everyone living in the home, not just the person whose name is on the bill.

That includes Social Security checks, unemployment, child support received, and pensions. We cover what’s counted and what isn’t in detail below.

2026 LIHEAP income limits at 150% FPL

This is the table most states start from. If your state uses 150% FPL as its LIHEAP cap, these are your numbers for the 2026-27 season. If your state uses 60% SMI instead, your real cap is higher.

Household size	Annual income limit	Monthly equivalent
1 person	$23,940	$1,995
2 people	$32,460	$2,705
3 people	$40,980	$3,415
4 people	$49,500	$4,125
5 people	$58,020	$4,835
6 people	$66,540	$5,545
7 people	$75,060	$6,255
8 people	$83,580	$6,965
Each additional person	+$8,520	+$710

Source: 150% of the 2026 HHS Poverty Guidelines, as tabled for FY2027 LIHEAP in ACF IM2026-01, Attachment 2. Monthly figures are the annual limit divided by 12. Alaska and Hawaii use separate, higher thresholds.

A quick sanity check on the monthly column: if your gross monthly household income is at or below the number in the right column, you almost certainly qualify on income alone in any state that uses 150% FPL. States that set a higher limit, up to 60% SMI, give you more room than this table shows.

How to read the federal table

The income limit is annual, but most states actually verify a 30-day or 90-day income window when you apply. Caseworkers take that recent window, multiply it out, and compare to the annual cap.

If you had a one-time bonus or back-pay drop in the verification window, ask whether you can submit a longer averaged window instead. Many states allow it.

The “each additional person” row matters more than people realize. A grandparent moving in with two adult children counts as a 3-person household, and the cap goes up $8,520 a year. If the household composition changed in the past few months, document it before applying.

When 60% SMI sets a higher cap: the high-cost-state option

Some states have much higher median incomes than the national average, so 60% of their state median sits far above 150% of the poverty line. Federal law lets those states raise the LIHEAP cap to the 60% SMI figure. It’s an option, not a requirement, so check what your state actually adopted.

Here is the FY2027 60% SMI ceiling for a sample of states. This is the most a state may use; the cutoff your state applies can be lower.

State	1 person	4 people	What the state uses
Massachusetts	$53,585	$103,049	Check state chart
New Jersey	$51,273	$98,602	60% SMI (chart below)
Maryland	$49,354	$94,912	Check state chart
Connecticut	$48,714	$93,681	Check state chart
Washington	$45,806	$88,089	Check state chart
New York	$42,759	$82,230	60% SMI (chart below)
California	$41,502	$79,812	Check state chart
Illinois	$41,290	$79,405	Split rule (see below)
Pennsylvania	$40,460	$77,809	150% FPL ($49,500 for 4)
Texas	$35,018	$67,343	Check state chart
Florida	$33,733	$64,873	Check state chart
Mississippi	$28,087	$54,015	Check state chart

Source: ACF IM2026-01, Attachment 4: State Median Income by Household Size for Mandatory Use in FY27. “What the state uses” reflects each state’s own published 2026-27 chart where we verified it.

To find your state’s exact cap for the 2026-27 program year, check your state’s LIHEAP portal listed in the LIHEAP Clearinghouse directory, or call the National Energy Assistance Referral hotline at 1-866-674-6327.

Most households in high-cost states have no idea their LIHEAP cap is this high. The state portal usually publishes a single “income limit” table that already reflects the state’s choice, so when you check your state page, that number is your real cap.

State example: Pennsylvania 2026-27

Pennsylvania publishes one of the clearest income tables. The 2026-27 LIHEAP season is scheduled to open on November 2, 2026, and the state’s posted limits match 150% FPL exactly, even though its 60% SMI ceiling for four is $77,809.

For the complete Pennsylvania application walkthrough including the COMPASS portal, crisis grants, and what to do if your application is denied, see our Pennsylvania LIHEAP guide.

Household size	Annual income limit	Monthly equivalent
1	$23,940	$1,995
2	$32,460	$2,705
3	$40,980	$3,415
4	$49,500	$4,125
Each additional person	+$8,520	+$710

Source: Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, limits effective February 1, 2026. Monthly figures are the annual limit divided by 12. The PA cash grant ranges from $200 to $1,000 based on household size, income, and fuel type.

PA crisis grants cover broken heating equipment, running out of fuel, and shutoffs. DHS says eligible applicants get crisis benefits within 10 business days, or sooner when the crisis is life-threatening.

Apply through the COMPASS portal, by phone at 1-866-857-7095, or in person at the County Assistance Office. For the general step-by-step process in any state, see our complete LIHEAP application guide.

Other states publish their own tables, and many set the line higher than Pennsylvania does. The safest move is always to check your state’s published table directly through the LIHEAP Clearinghouse directory linked above.

The auto-qualify paths: when income may not matter

Categorical eligibility is a state option under federal law. A state may treat a household that already gets certain means-tested benefits as income eligible, so the benefit letter replaces the income test. The LIHEAP Clearinghouse lists about 20 states and three territories using it in 2026.

The benefits that can trigger it, in states that opted in:

• SNAP (food stamps), the most widely used, including New York, New Jersey, California, Florida, and Texas.
• TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), used by most of the same states.
• SSI (Supplemental Security Income), used by fewer states, such as New York, Florida, and Texas.
• Means-tested veterans benefits, listed by only a few states (Idaho, Maryland, and Texas).

Bring the most recent award letter or benefits verification statement when you apply. Rules differ: some states need only one household member on the benefit, others need everyone. Some, like Illinois and New Jersey, still ask for income papers for other adults.

In states without the option, including Pennsylvania, you meet the regular income test. Your award letter still works as proof of that income.

If you’re already enrolled in any of these programs but never mentioned it on a previous LIHEAP application, that may have been a missed shortcut. Caseworkers don’t always ask. Always volunteer the information.

What counts as income in 2026 (and what doesn’t)

The income calculation is the source of most LIHEAP denials, even for households that genuinely qualify. The state looks at “gross household income,” which is broader than your paycheck. Here’s the full picture.

Counted as income

• Wages, salaries, and tips (gross, before taxes)
• Self-employment net income (after business expenses)
• Social Security retirement benefits
• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI), counted in some states, not in others
• Unemployment compensation
• Workers’ compensation
• Veterans benefits (including Veterans Pension)
• Pensions and retirement plan distributions
• Alimony received
• Child support received
• Rental income
• Interest and dividend income
• Cash gifts (in some states, if regular and substantial)

Not counted as income (in most states)

• SNAP / food stamp benefits
• Federal tax credits (Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit)
• State property tax or rent rebates
• Housing assistance value (Section 8, public housing)
• Loans you have to pay back
• One-time inheritances
• Foster-care payments (in most states)

Common deductions that lower countable income

ACF notes that LIHEAP generally uses gross income, but some states use net income and deduct medical costs over a set level or some work-related costs such as child care. Don’t skip these on the application if your state allows them.

• Medical expenses over a percentage of gross income (in some states, especially for elderly or disabled applicants).
• Child or dependent care costs paid out of pocket.
• Court-ordered support paid out (alimony or child support you pay to someone else).
• Mandatory work-related expenses in a few states.

If you think you might be just over the cap, ask the caseworker to walk through every allowable deduction. In states that allow a medical deduction, it can be the difference for a borderline household.

Two real examples of how the math works

The rule is straightforward, but seeing it applied to specific households is the fastest way to know whether you qualify.

Example 1: Single retiree on Social Security

Margaret is 71 and lives alone in a state that uses 150% FPL for LIHEAP eligibility. Her only income is a Social Security retirement check of $1,800 a month, or $21,600 a year.

The 1-person cap at 150% FPL is $23,940. Margaret is comfortably under and qualifies. If she also receives SNAP and her state uses categorical eligibility, her SNAP letter can stand in for the income paperwork.

Example 2: Working family of 4 at 150% FPL

The Diaz family has two parents and two school-age kids. One parent earns $2,800 a month at a hotel housekeeping job; the other earns $1,500 a month part-time at a daycare. Total gross household income: $4,300 a month, or $51,600 a year.

In a state that uses the $49,500 limit at 150% FPL, they’re $2,100 over. If their state allows a child-care deduction, the $400 a month they pay for care lowers countable income to about $46,800, under the cap. If it doesn’t, they don’t qualify there.

In New Jersey or New York, they’d be under the cap with no deduction at all.

Common reasons applications get denied even when income qualifies

Plenty of households are eligible on paper but get a denial letter anyway. The cause is almost always paperwork, not eligibility. Here’s what trips people up most often.

• Missing 30 days of pay stubs. If you’re paid weekly, the state wants four stubs. Bi-weekly wants two. Self-employed wants the most recent quarterly filing or a notarized statement of income. Photocopies are fine; bring them.
• Household composition mismatch. If you list 4 people but only 3 names appear on the lease, the state pauses the application. Update the lease or bring a notarized statement of who lives there.
• Income from a household member that wasn’t reported. An adult child who lives with you and earns $400 a month at a part-time job counts. Leaving them off looks like fraud.
• Bill not in your name. If the utility account is in a roommate’s or family member’s name, most states can’t pay it. Get the account moved into your name first, then apply.
• Application submitted after the close date. Each state has hard deadlines: New Jersey takes applications through June 30, 2027 and Illinois through August 13, 2027, while funds last. Missing the deadline by a day is fatal.
• Already received this season’s grant. Most states allow one regular grant per heating season. A second application gets auto-denied unless it’s a crisis case.
• Wrong program year. The 2026-27 LIHEAP year runs October 2026 through September 2027. Don’t submit last season’s form.

Every denial includes the right to appeal, and the deadline is printed on the denial letter. Most denials are reversible if you submit the missing piece promptly.

Illinois LIHEAP income limits for 2026-27

Illinois runs LIHEAP through the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), with local agencies handling intake. For the 2027 program year, Illinois uses two income lines, depending on which pot of money pays the benefit.

Customers of Ameren Illinois, ComEd, Nicor Gas, North Shore Gas, or Peoples Gas can qualify for state-funded help up to 300% of the 2026 poverty guidelines, measured on gross income for the 30 days before you apply:

Household size	30-day gross income limit	Annual equivalent
1	$3,990	$47,880
2	$5,410	$64,920
3	$6,830	$81,960
4	$8,250	$99,000
5	$9,670	$116,040
6	$11,090	$133,080

Source: Illinois DCEO, How To Apply, “2026 300% Federal Poverty Guidelines for 2027 Program Year.”

That 300% line is above the federal LIHEAP ceiling. DCEO says a federally funded LIHEAP benefit requires income at or below 60% of State Median Income: $41,290 a year for one person and $79,405 for four in FY2027 (ACF table above).

Local agencies such as Tri-County Opportunities Council say the 300% line covers state-funded LIHEAP and PIPP households, under a May 2026 Public Utilities Act amendment. Ask your local agency which limit applies to you.

Applications run October 1, 2026 to August 13, 2027, or until funding runs out. Adults 60 and older, people with a disability, households with a child age 5 or under, and households disconnected or facing a disconnect within 7 days could apply from October 1. Everyone else could start November 1, 2026.

Submit a Request for Services form through Help Illinois Families, or call the call center at 1-833-711-0374 for live help.

New Jersey LIHEAP income limits for 2026-27

New Jersey uses the 60 percent State Median Income benchmark, which produces one of the highest LIHEAP caps in the country. LIHEAP and the Universal Service Fund (USF) share one application and one income table for FFY 2027 (October 2026 through September 2027).

Household size	Monthly gross income limit	Annual income limit
1	$4,273	$51,273
2	$5,587	$67,049
3	$6,902	$82,825
4	$8,217	$98,602
5	$9,532	$114,378
6	$10,846	$130,154
7	$11,093	$133,112
8	$11,339	$136,070

Source: NJ Department of Community Affairs, LIHEAP and USF FFY 2027 Fact Sheet. For households larger than 12, NJ adds $246 a month ($2,952 a year) per extra person.

The NJ cap is about double the 150% FPL limit. A family of four can earn up to $98,602 and still qualify, against $49,500 at 150% FPL. That gap is why New Jersey households who assume they earn too much should check anyway.

The 2026-27 application window opened October 1, 2026 and runs through June 30, 2027, first come, first served. To get LIHEAP heating help, your household must pay heating or cooling costs directly or through rent.

What you can get: for FY2026, the LIHEAP Clearinghouse lists New Jersey heating benefits from $118 to $1,278 and winter crisis help up to $800. For FY2027, DCA sets medically necessary cooling help at $300, and USF helps with gas and non-heating electric costs above a share of income, up to $200 a month.

Apply online through the DCA portal at energyassistance.nj.gov, or call 1-800-510-3102 to find your county agency. Applicants 60 or older, or who have a disability, can apply by mail or ask for a home visit. More state help is on our New Jersey assistance hub.

New York HEAP income limits for 2026-27

New York runs LIHEAP as HEAP, through the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA). Its 2026-27 monthly limits line up with the FY2027 60% SMI figures for New York, so they sit well above 150% FPL.

Household size	Maximum gross monthly income
1	$3,563
2	$4,659
3	$5,756
4	$6,852
5	$7,948
6	$9,045

Source: NY OTDA, Home Energy Assistance Program, 2026-2027 HEAP Monthly Income Limits.

Households on SNAP, federally funded Temporary Assistance, or Code A SSI (living alone) qualify without meeting the income chart. Regular HEAP opens November 2, 2026, and Emergency HEAP opens January 4, 2027. Heating repair and Clean and Tune benefits opened October 1, 2026.

Regular HEAP base benefits for 2026-27 are $990 for oil, kerosene, or propane, $700 for wood, pellets, coal, or corn, and $400 for electric or natural gas heat. OTDA adds $61 for the lowest income tier and $35 if someone is 60 or older, under 6, or permanently disabled.

For dates, the emergency rules, and how NYC applications differ from county offices, see our New York HEAP guide, or call the OTDA hotline at 1-800-342-3009.

Is LIHEAP funded for the 2026-27 season?

Yes, at least in part. On October 9, 2026, the federal Office of Community Services released $3,631,860,000 in FY2027 LIHEAP block grant funds to states, tribes, and territories (ACF, First Block Grant Funding Release FFY 2027).

That money comes under a continuing resolution, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027 (Pub. L. 119-103). OCS says it released 90% of the funding available under that CR, so further FY2027 releases depend on what Congress does next.

States must obligate at least 90 percent of these funds by September 30, 2027 and carry any remainder into FY2028. Funds are restricted for any grant recipient without an approved FY2027 LIHEAP plan.

The practical takeaway: do not wait for a final budget deal before you apply. States run LIHEAP first come, first served until funds run out, and delayed applications often miss the window. File as soon as your state opens intake.

How to apply for LIHEAP: 4 steps for 2026-27

The LIHEAP application process is the same core sequence in every state, with a few local variations on portal names and document formats. Follow these 4 steps in order.

Step 1: Locate your state’s LIHEAP intake office. Go to the LIHEAP Clearinghouse state directory or call the National Energy Assistance Referral hotline at 1-866-674-6327.

The operator will give you the correct application URL, phone number, and physical intake location for your county. Do not apply through third-party sites that charge fees. Every legitimate LIHEAP application is free.

Step 2: Gather the required documents before you fill out anything. Most states require the same core set: government photo ID for the applicant, Social Security cards for every household member, and proof of income for the past 30 days (pay stubs, benefit award letters, unemployment statements).

You will also need your most recent heating or electric bill showing account number, and proof of residency (lease, mortgage statement, or utility bill in your name).

Households with an elderly or disabled member should also bring medical-expense receipts for any state that allows a medical deduction.

Step 3: Submit the application through your state’s approved channel. Most states accept online applications through a dedicated portal (Pennsylvania COMPASS, New Jersey’s DCA portal, Help Illinois Families).

Paper applications are still accepted at local intake offices. If you use online, save a PDF copy of the confirmation page. If you use paper, request a date-stamped receipt.

Step 4: Follow up within 2 weeks if you have not heard back. Processing times vary by state and by how busy the season is. Illinois, for example, tells applicants to contact their county agency if they haven’t heard back in 3 weeks.

Call the intake office to confirm the file is complete. Missing documents are a common cause of processing delays, and staff may reach out only once by phone or mail before pausing the file.

Once approved, the benefit is usually paid directly to your utility or fuel company as a credit on your account. You will see the credit appear on your next bill or the one after.

If you are in a shutoff crisis, ask for LIHEAP crisis help. Federal law requires crisis programs to provide some help within 48 hours of an eligible household’s application, or 18 hours if the situation is life-threatening (42 U.S.C. § 8623(c)).