Emergency / crisis benefit
ECIP crisis payments go directly to the utility company within 48 hours for a documented shutoff notice or empty propane/oil tank. Apply through your Local Service Provider (LSP) county agency, not through CSD directly.
◢ California · Utility Assistance · 2025-2026 Season
California LIHEAP: income limits, benefits, and how to apply.
California's energy assistance program is called California Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Below: the current income table, benefit amounts, apply link, and hotline.
Season
Year-round.
Benefit range
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP): $94 minimum to $1,500 maximum per household per program year, based on energy burden.
Income standard
60% of California State Median Income (SMI).
◢ Income eligibility
California LIHEAP income limits.
Gross income for the calendar month before you apply. If your household is at or below the limit, you qualify.
| Household size | Max monthly gross | Max annual gross |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $3,332 | $39,984 |
| 2 people | $4,357 | $52,284 |
| 3 people | $5,382 | $64,584 |
| 4 people | $6,407 | $76,884 |
| 5 people | $7,432 | $89,184 |
| 6 people | $8,457 | $101,484 |
| 7 people | $8,650 | $103,800 |
| 8 people | $8,842 | $106,104 |
| 9 people | $9,034 | $108,408 |
| 10 people | $9,226 | $110,712 |
Source: California state agency. Verified 2026-08-23. Some households above these limits may still qualify for crisis benefits.
◢ How much you can get
Benefit amounts.
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP): $94 minimum to $1,500 maximum per household per program year, based on energy burden. Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) provides emergency payments up to $2,000 for shutoff or fuel-out situations.
◢ Beyond the regular grant
Emergency and cooling components.
Summer cooling assistance
Cooling assistance mirrors HEAP structure and is prioritized in the Central Valley, Inland Empire, and desert counties where summer temperatures create equivalent health risk to winter cold in northern states.
◢ How to apply
Ways to apply for California Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
California accepts California Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) applications through multiple channels. Pick the one that fits your situation. Regular benefits are first-come, first-served, so apply as soon as the season opens.
- 01
Online through your Local Service Provider (find yours at csd.ca.gov/Pages/LIHEAPProgram.aspx)
- 02
By phone to the CSD hotline at 1-866-675-6623 for LSP referral
- 03
In person at your Local Service Provider office (typically Community Action Agency)
- 04
Dial 2-1-1 for California to reach the statewide United Way LIHEAP referral line
◢ What to bring
Documents you need to apply.
Every California household filing for California Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) needs the same core paperwork. Gather these first so the caseworker can process the application on the first visit.
Proof of identity
Driver's license, state ID, passport, or birth certificate for every adult in the household.
Proof of income (last 30 days)
Pay stubs, Social Security award letter, SSI/SSDI statement, unemployment benefit letter, or a signed self-employment statement.
Proof of residence
Lease, mortgage statement, or a recent utility bill in your name at your current address.
Recent utility or fuel bill
Most recent bill from your primary heating source, plus SSNs for everyone in the household.
◢ Local offices
California county offices that handle California Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
California Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is processed at the county level in California. Emergency benefits, in-person applications, and case questions all go through your county's Department of Social Services or equivalent office.
Local office
Los Angeles County (LADWP + LSP)
1-800-433-6251
Local office
Orange County (Community Action Partnership)
714-897-6670
Local office
San Diego County (MAAC Project)
760-471-4210
Local office
Santa Clara County (Sacred Heart Community Service)
408-282-2100
Local office
Sacramento County (SETA)
916-263-6580
◢ If your application is denied
What to do if California Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) says no.
Denial is not the end. Federal rule requires every California Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) denial notice to name the specific reason and give you an appeals path. Work through this order.
- 01
Read the denial notice
Look for the specific reason (income over limit, missing document, wrong heating source on file). Most denials are documentation issues, not eligibility.
- 02
Request a fair hearing
In California, you generally have 60 days from the notice date to request a fair hearing. Do it in writing and keep the confirmation.
- 03
Reapply with corrections
If the denial was for a missing document, you can typically reapply the same day with the corrected paperwork. No 30-day wait for documentation fixes.
- 04
Call 211 for bridge help
If shutoff is imminent while you appeal, 211 routes to California community action agencies, faith-based emergency funds, and utility hardship programs that fill the gap.
◢ Official resources
California Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) official links.
Bookmark these. Every eligibility rule, dollar amount, and season date on this page traces back to one of these primary sources.
CSD: Behind on your energy bills? LIHEAP may be able to help
www.csd.ca.gov/energybills
CSD: LIHEAP Income Eligibility (2026 table)
www.csd.ca.gov/Pages/LIHEAP-Income-Eligibility.aspx
CSD: Find Your Local Service Provider
www.csd.ca.gov/Pages/Find-A-LSP.aspx
LIHEAP Clearinghouse: California State Profile
liheapch.acf.gov/profiles/California.htm
◢ California utility questions
What people ask about California LIHEAP.
California Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) uses 60% of California State Median Income (SMI). Verified against CSD 2026 income eligibility table published at csd.ca.gov/energybills. A one-person household must earn under $3,332 per month, with limits scaling by household size. The full table is above.
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP): $94 minimum to $1,500 maximum per household per program year, based on energy burden. Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) provides emergency payments up to $2,000 for shutoff or fuel-out situations.
Year-round. Heating assistance concentrated November through April; cooling assistance available May through October in eligible areas.
ECIP crisis payments go directly to the utility company within 48 hours for a documented shutoff notice or empty propane/oil tank. Apply through your Local Service Provider (LSP) county agency, not through CSD directly.
Cooling assistance mirrors HEAP structure and is prioritized in the Central Valley, Inland Empire, and desert counties where summer temperatures create equivalent health risk to winter cold in northern states.
Most states require: proof of identity (driver's license or state ID), proof of income for the last 30 days (pay stubs, benefit letters, SSI/SSDI award), a recent utility bill or lease, and Social Security numbers for everyone in the household. Bring citizenship or eligible-immigration documents if requested.
Editorial disclaimer
GrantsHubUSA is an independent editorial blog. We do not administer California Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) or process applications. Always confirm current eligibility, deadlines, and contact details with the California state agency before applying. See our full disclaimer.