Struggling With Summer Cooling Bills? LIHEAP Can Help Pay Them, and It Is Free to Apply

The money that can help with your energy bill

Summer heat means higher electric bills. Running the air conditioner adds up fast, and for many families that bill lands at the worst possible time.

There is help. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP, helps eligible households pay heating and cooling costs. In summer, that often means help with your electric bill or cooling equipment.

This is a government program. That means it is free to apply. You do not need to pay anyone to help you get it, and no one should ever charge you a fee to fill out the application.

Why July is a good time to check

July is the middle of cooling season across most of the country. If your bills are climbing, this is the month to see what help is available before things get tighter.

LIHEAP is run through your state, tribe, or territory. Each one sets its own rules, its own income limits, and its own open dates. Some run cooling assistance only during certain months, so it helps to check now.

How housing and energy help fit together

LIHEAP is one piece of a larger safety net for people who need help with housing costs. Federal housing programs, run by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), support affordable and assisted housing for more than a million households.

HUD has long worked with local housing authorities to keep the nation's public housing in good shape. A 2010 study prepared for HUD estimated the backlog of public housing capital needs at about $26 billion, with roughly $3.4 billion in new unmet needs each year. To help address this, Congress authorized the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) in 2012 to bring in new funding and stabilize these properties.

If you live in assisted or public housing, or you rent on your own, LIHEAP can still help with your energy costs. It is worth checking no matter where you live.

Frequently asked questions

Does LIHEAP really help with summer cooling, not just heating?

In many states, yes. LIHEAP can help with cooling costs and cooling equipment. Rules differ by state, so check with your local office to see what is offered near you.

Does it cost anything to apply?

No. LIHEAP is a government program and applying is free. No one should charge you a fee to help you apply. If someone asks for payment, walk away.

Can I get help if I live in public or assisted housing?

Often yes. LIHEAP helps with energy costs regardless of where you live. Ask your local LIHEAP office and your housing authority what is available.

How do I find my state's program?

Start at the official LIHEAP page from the Administration for Children and Families, then follow the link to your state, tribe, or territory.