How to Get Help with Energy Bills and Home Weatherization this 2026

If paying for electricity, gas, heating, or cooling is hard, the U.S. government and local agencies offer several programs to help lower-income households. The two biggest are:
 

1. LIHEAP (Utility Bills)

• Pays heating/cooling bills or prevents shutoff.

• Apply through your state agency Oct 2025–Apr 2026 (varies by state).

• Need: Utility bill, income proof (pay stubs, SSI letter), ID.

• Find yours: usa.gov LIHEAP by state.​
   

2. WAP (Home Weatherization)

• Free insulation, air sealing, furnace repair.

• Contact your local Community Action Agency or state energy office.

• Need: Income proof; home energy audit required.

• Find yours: energy.gov/wap.​
   

Quick Steps

1. Call 211 for your local office.

2. Gather: Bills + income docs.

3. Apply early (funds run out fast).

 

State‑Specific Energy & Utility Help (2026)

Pennsylvania – LIHEAP 2026

• Program: Low‑Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

• 2026 Budget: ~$173.25 million for benefits (cash + crisis payments)

• Income limit: 150% of federal poverty level

• When to apply:

  • Opens: November 3, 2025

  • Closes: April 10, 2026 (or earlier if funds run out)

• Benefits:

  • Cash grants: $25–$1,000 to help with heating bills

  • Crisis payments for households at risk of disconnection

• Weatherization: 15% of LIHEAP funds set aside for home weatherization upgrades

• Apply: Through your county assistance office or online at dhs.pa.gov
   

Illinois – CEDA LIHEAP & Utility Help

• Program: CEDA’s LIHEAP (DVP, RA, PIPP)

• 2026 Season:

  • Priority period (seniors, disabled, young kids, disconnected): October 1, 2025

  • Open enrollment (all eligible): November 1, 2025

  • Applications accepted on a first‑come, first‑served basis through August 15, 2026 (or until funds are gone)

• Income limits (30‑day gross income):

  • 1 person: ≤ $3,332

  • 2 people: ≤ $4,357

  • 4 people: ≤ $6,407

• Benefits:

  • Direct Vendor Payment (DVP): One‑time payment to gas/electric bills

  • Reconnection Assistance (RA): Up to $1,500 to prevent or restore service

  • PIPP: Budget billing with monthly benefit and past‑due forgiveness

• Furnace help: LIHEAP Furnace Assistance for broken heating systems (applications through May 29, 2026)

• Apply: cedaorg.net/bills
   

District of Columbia – LIHEAP 2026

• Program: DOEE LIHEAP (Regular + Emergency Assistance)

• 2026 Season:

  • New applications accepted starting December 1, 2025

  • Regular assistance: For households not yet disconnected

  • Emergency assistance: For households already disconnected or with oil at ≤5%

• Income limits (FY 2026, Oct 1, 2025 – Sept 30, 2026):

  • 1 person: ≤ $61,841

  • 2 people: ≤ $80,869

  • 4 people: ≤ $118,926

• Benefits:

  • Regular: $200–$1,800 one‑time payment to utility

  • Emergency: Up to $500 to restore service

• Apply:

  • In‑person (by appointment only) at DOEE Energy Centers

  • By mail to DOEE

  • Call 311 or (202) 737‑4404

• Note: Only DOEE can accept LIHEAP applications; do not give them to your utility or other agencies
   

California – LIHEAP & Energy Savings Assistance

• Program: State LIHEAP + Energy Savings Assistance (ESA)

• 2026 Funding: California received $212 million in federal LIHEAP funds for FY 2026

• LIHEAP (Energy Bill Help):

  • One‑time payment to electric/gas utility

  • Priority for seniors (60+), disabled, and families with young children

  • Income limits vary by county; generally around 150–200% of poverty level

• Energy Savings Assistance (ESA):

  • Free weatherization for low‑income households (attic insulation, efficient furnace, weatherstripping, etc.)

  • Based on CARE income guidelines

• Utility Discounts:

  • CARE: 30–35% discount on electric/gas bills

  • FERA: 18% discount for households slightly above CARE limits

• Apply:

  • Find your local LIHEAP/ESA provider at csd.ca.gov

  • Or call 2‑1‑1 for local referrals
     

Texas – Comprehensive Energy Assistance (CEAP)

• Program: Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP)

• 2026 Season:

  • Applications for 2026 open January 26, 2026, at 8 a.m.

  • Serves Hays, Caldwell, and Blanco Counties (other counties may have similar programs)

• Benefits:

  • Utility payment assistance for electric, gas, propane, butane

  • Energy education, budget counseling, and crisis help (e.g., portable heaters/coolers)

• Priority: Low‑income households with high energy burden, children under 5, disabled, elderly, or veterans

• Apply:

  • Online or in person through Community Action, Inc. of Central Texas

  • Contact local offices in San Marcos, Lockhart, or Luling

• Other help:

  • Many Texas counties also offer utility assistance through local community action agencies; check 2‑1‑1 Texas for programs in your area
     

Florida – Utility Rate Changes & Help

• Rate News:

  • Duke Energy Florida: Residential bills expected to be ~$44 lower in 2026 due to lower fuel and storm‑cost recovery charges

  • Florida Power & Light (FPL): Proposed a multi‑year rate hike (including increases in 2026–2027) to fund solar and battery projects

• Utility Help:

  • State LIHEAP and local agencies offer bill payment assistance for low‑income households

  • Many utilities (FPL, Duke Energy, etc.) have their own assistance programs and payment plans

• Apply:

  • Contact your utility directly for hardship programs

  • Use 2‑1‑1 Florida or the state’s 2‑1‑1 system to find local energy assistance programs

-

Overwhelmed by bills? Subscribe now and discover financial help to lighten the load!