Home Energy Assistance Program
The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps qualified homeowners and renters pay for heating costs. Benefits include help paying for fuel and emergency fuel delivery. You can also qualify for energy-related repairs if you are eligible for HEAP.
Households are encouraged to apply for HEAP as early as possible. The application process involves both an application and an interview, to help determine eligibility and the level of benefit. The amount of benefit eligible households receive varies depending on household size, income and other factors.
You apply at your local Community Action Agency (CAA). It is important to call as soon as you can because appointments fill up fast. You can apply for HEAP July 18, 2022 to July 15, 2023 and for emergency fuel help November 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023.
For more general information on the program visit the program page or call 1-877-544-3271.
Applying For The Program
Eligibility
We want anyone who needs help to apply. It is best to talk to someone at your CAA because there are many factors that go in to finding out if you are eligible. You can click here to see if you meet the basic income guidelines.
Apply even if you are over income limits because some expenses may be deducted. If you are apply for HEAP and are ineligible but your household circumstances change please reapply for the program.
If you are out of heating fuel and have no heat or are very low on heating fuel, do not apply online. Please call your local CAA.
Apply
IMPORTANT- If you already have a HEAP application appointment set with your CAA, please keep this appointment and do not apply online.
Applications for the HEAP Program are handled by your local Community Action Agency. You can schedule an appointment or start the application process online. Find your local Community Action Agency by entering your zip code in the field below. You can view all HEAP Agency Contacts here.
Need help finding your zip code? Use this USPS tool to search by address or city & state.
If you applied online the status of your application may have several different stages. Download the journey flyer below for more info on the stages and status definitions.
Prepare For Your Appointment
You will need to provide copies of certain documents to apply. This list may not include everything so make sure you ask your CAA what to bring.
- Names and social security numbers of all people living in your household.
- Proof of gross household income for the last 30 day/1 month or 12 months. (Household income includes, but is not limited to: wages, social security, unemployment, pension, and disability payments.)
- Proof of present address (for example, a rent receipt, lease, deed, or property tax bill).
- Recent copies of your energy and utility bills.
- The type of fuel used to heat your home (natural gas, heating oil, propane, wood, wood pellets, biobricks, coal, corn, kerosene or electricity).
You Have Applied - Now What?
CAA Follow Up
After your appointment the CAA will review your application to determine if you are eligible for a benefit. In most cases the, once eligibility is determined, the CAA will work directly with your fuel provider and the benefit will be paid as a credit to your account.
If you applied online the status of your application may have several different stages. Download the journey flyer below for more info on the stages and status definitions.
Download HEAP Application Process Journey Flyer
Emergency Assistance
Emergency assistance More help may be available if you have less than a seven (7) day supply of heating fuel. We may also be able to help if you cannot pay your bill and your services may be disconnected. We also be able to help with past due utility bills.
Additional Resources
If you are eligible for HEAP, you also may qualify for other programs that require HEAP 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 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).
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