The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps cover heating and cooling bills, but unlike SNAP or Medicaid, there's no single national application window — LIHEAP is federally funded through block grants but entirely state-administered, and each state sets its own dates, income cutoffs within federal limits, and application process. * The general federal eligibility rule is income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level, or 60% of your state's median income, whichever number is higher for your household size and state. In practice, most states end up setting their actual working cutoff somewhere between 110% and 150% of the federal poverty level. * Typical grants run $200 to $1,000 a year, and critically, the money doesn't go to you directly — it's paid straight to your utility company or fuel provider on your behalf, reducing or covering your bill. It's a grant, not a loan, so nothing needs to be paid back. * Because every state runs its own calendar, application windows vary enormously: some states open applications as early as November for the winter heating season, while others open in December or January and run through spring. There's no substitute for checking your specific state's program directly. * If you already receive SNAP, SSI, or TANF, you're often automatically considered income-eligible for LIHEAP without needing to resubmit separate income documentation. To find your state's current application window and specific eligibility rules, call the National Energy Assistance Referral hotline at 1-800-342-3009 or search the LIHEAP Clearinghouse at liheapch.acf.gov.