Help With Fall and Winter Heating Costs: Apply Free This Month

Why September is the month to act

The weather is starting to cool. That means heating bills are on the way. If you are worried about paying to keep your home warm this fall and winter, now is a good time to look for help.

Many housing and energy assistance programs open or fill up in the fall. Applying early gives you the best chance to get help before the coldest months.

This help is free to apply for. You do not need to pay anyone to check your eligibility or file for you.

What kind of help may be out there

The federal government supports local housing and community programs that can help families stay in safe, warm homes. Some of that support flows through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and reaches communities across the country.

HUD works with states and local agencies on housing and community development. One example is the Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program, which HUD runs under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. On September 28, 2026, HUD published a rule setting the program fee for Fiscal Year 2027.

You do not need to understand the fine print of these programs to get help. What matters is finding the local agency near you that handles heating and housing assistance and asking what you qualify for.

Watch out for anyone who charges you

Real government heating and housing help is free to apply for. No official program will ask you to pay a middleman to get your application in.

If a company promises to get you money faster for a fee, be careful. You can always go straight to the official source yourself and keep every dollar of help you are owed.

OpenFinancial is not a bank and not a government agency. We just point you to the free, official path.

Frequently asked questions

Does it cost money to apply for heating help?

No. Applying for official government heating and housing help is free. If someone asks you to pay a fee to file for you, go straight to the official source instead.

When should I apply?

Fall is a smart time. Applying in September or early autumn helps get your assistance in place before the coldest months arrive.

Where do I start?

Start at HUD.gov and look for help in your state. You can also search for your local Community Action Agency or state energy assistance office.

Can OpenFinancial get me money faster?

No. We are not a bank or a government agency. We point you to the free, official path so you can apply yourself.