Program Summary

Am I Eligible?

The amount of assistance you may get from LIHEAP is based on your household size and income, energy costs, and other factors.

You may be eligible for assistance if your total household income falls within 230% of the federal poverty guidelines or 75% of the state area median income, whichever is less. Eligibility for households with incomes between 200% and 230% of the federal poverty guidelines is limited to those households with a member who is susceptible to hypothermia, such as elderly, a child under the age of two, or with a doctor's diagnosis.

If your heat is included in your rent, you may still apply for LIHEAP.

If you have less than ¼ tank of heating fuel or are in danger of having utility services disconnected and you have no way to pay your energy company, LIHEAP also may make an emergency fuel payment for you so that you will stay safe and warm.

If you are eligible for LIHEAP, you also may qualify for other programs that require LIHEAP eligibility:

• If you receive residential electric service from an electric utility and you are not living in government subsidized housing, you may be eligible for assistance with your electric bills from your electric utility’s Low Income Assistance Plan (LIAP).
• If you pay your own electric bill, you may be eligible for a new, energy-efficient refrigerator from MaineHousing’s Appliance Replacement Program.
• If your home is not as energy efficient as it could be, you may qualify for home weatherization improvements through our Weatherization Program.
• If your heating system is in need of repair or replacement, you may qualify for the Central Heating Improvement Program (CHIP).

How Do I Apply?

Please refer to our agency contact list to apply for LIHEAP and to be automatically considered for the Low Income Assistance Plan and the Appliance Replacement, Weatherization and Central Heating Improvement programs.

Applications for LIHEAP are accepted from July 1 through April 30 of each year.

At the time of application, you should be prepared to provide:

• Names and social security numbers of all people living in your household.
• Proof of gross household income for the last 3 or 12 months (wages, social security, unemployment, pension, and disability payments are all considered to be income).
• Proof of present address (for example, a rent receipt, lease, deed, or property tax bill).
• Recent copies of your energy and utility bills.

For more information, see our related document and related links at the top of the page, download the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program brochure, or contact:

Betsy Mansir, LIHEAP Fiscal & Program Specialist
	Email Me
	(207) 626-4603