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Heating Bill Help by State: Who to Call, How to Apply, and When It Opens (2026–27)

By CalculateBenefits Editorial Team · Mark Phaneuf, Publisher
AI-assisted source check: . What these dates mean.

A wall thermostat above a kitchen table with a mug, a pen, and a stack of opened mail.
Keep your latest heat bill close by when you call your state's office. Original image created for CalculateBenefits.

To get help with your heating bill, call your state's heating help office. Find its number or web page in the list below. You can also call the national energy help line at 1-866-674-6327. Many states already take forms, and a few more open in early November. Money can run out, so it pays to apply early. Applying is free.

This help goes by many names. The federal name is LIHEAP. That stands for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Some states call it HEAP, LEAP, or EAP. Each state runs its own program and sets its own rules and dates.

What number do I call for heating help?

Start with your state's line in the list below. Each number in the list is on the state's own website. We checked every one on Oct. 12, 2026. If we could not find a number there, we link to the state page instead.

The national line is 1-866-674-6327. It can point you to the right local office. The federal list says it is open on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time.

In many places, a local group takes your form. It may be a Community Action Agency or a county office. The state line can tell you which one serves your town. Our step-by-step LIHEAP guide explains how that works.

What should I have ready before I call?

Each state asks for its own papers. State pages often ask for these:

Ask the office what else it needs. One missing paper can slow your form. Keep a copy of all you send.

Is heating help being cut this winter?

Not so far. On Sept. 2, 2026, a short-term funding law was signed. It keeps federal programs, including heating help, going at last year's rate through Dec. 11, 2026. Iowa's utilities commission also says this law keeps heating help at last year's level.

What comes after Dec. 11 is not set yet. The President's 2027 budget plan asks to end the program. A budget plan is a request. Congress sets the budget. As of Oct. 12, 2026, the federal funding page does not list a 2027 payment to states yet.

When does heating help open in my state?

Dates differ by state. Some states take forms all year. Others open in the fall or winter. We list a date only if the state's own website shows it for this winter. If you see no date, call your state line and ask.

These states show their dates for the 2026 to 2027 winter:

Can the money run out?

Yes. Many states say help lasts only while money is left. Georgia serves people in the order they apply. Its page tells people to apply early. Illinois takes forms through Aug. 13, 2027, or until the money runs out. So do not wait for a cold snap. Call as soon as your state opens.

What if my heat is about to be shut off?

Call your state line and say you have a shutoff notice. Speak up right away if your heat is off or your fuel is almost gone. Many programs have crisis help for this. Then call your gas or power company and ask about a payment plan.

Many states also limit shutoffs in the cold months. Our guide to winter shutoff rules and bill help shows how to find your state's rule.

Is there help that can lower the bill for good?

It may be. The Weatherization Assistance Program can seal leaks, add insulation, or fix unsafe heat. The program is free. In some states, one form covers both heat help and this work. Read our guide to free home energy upgrades.

How do I avoid heating help scams?

The federal agency says LIHEAP does not charge a fee. It also says the federal program does not give grants straight to people. If someone offers you a grant or asks for a fee, the agency says to call the HHS fraud line at 1-800-447-8477. Use the numbers on this page or on your state's own site. Our guide on how to tell a real program from a scam has more tips.

Heating help phone numbers by state

Tap a number to call. Tap "State page" to open the state's own site. Some rows have no number. We could not find a statewide line on that state's own site. Use the state page to find your local office.

We are not a government agency. We cannot take your form or decide who gets help. Only your state or local office can do that.

Your next step. The free utility-help guides explain energy and phone assistance and link to official program contacts. All tools →

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