Get one email when this changes
We will write once when California LIHEAP opens, closes or changes. Nothing else.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. We are an independent site, not the program.
What we found for California heating help
Each card names the official page we read on October 21, 2026. Dollar amounts are the state's own; anything it does not publish, we do not show.
HEAP bill help
One-time financial help to balance an eligible household's utility bill.
Energy Crisis Intervention Program
For a household with a 24 to 48 hour disconnect notice or a life-threatening problem, such as a combustible appliance.
LIHEAP weatherization
Energy efficiency upgrades for low-income households, plus education and energy budget counseling.
Three parts
California splits LIHEAP into bill help, crisis help and weatherization. The bill help part is called HEAP and is a one-time payment that helps balance a utility bill. The crisis part, called ECIP, is for emergencies. Weatherization gives upgrades that lower bills and make the home healthier and safer.
The money
The state says it received $236.7 million in annual LIHEAP funding for federal fiscal year 2026, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It also says funding is limited, so local providers put households with the greatest need first. That means some households that meet the rules may still not get a benefit.
How to apply
Use the state page's Find Services In Your Area tool, then pick the Energy Bill Assistance and Weatherization provider for your city or county. Your provider tells you the income limit, what to bring and how long it takes. The state says eligibility varies by income source and other factors.
The dates
The state page was updated in April 2026 and does not give a season start or end date, so we show this as general information. A draft 2027 state plan was released on July 27, 2026; we did not read it, so we make no claim about changes.
What we cannot say
The page we read does not give dollar benefit amounts or an income table. We will not print a number that we cannot source.
Utility programs
Your utility may also have its own discount or payment help. Check the California utility pages below for rebates and programs.
If you rent
You do not have to own your home to ask. The state describes LIHEAP as help for households that pay a high share of their income for energy, and the provider decides who qualifies. If your landlord pays for heat, ask the provider what proof they want, such as a lease or a rent receipt. Tenants cannot usually do weatherization work without the owner agreeing, so a good first question is whether the provider contacts the landlord for you.
Seeing the year ahead
The state posts a final plan each fall and a household report each spring. The 2025 household report came out on April 14, 2026, and a draft 2027 plan was released on July 27, 2026. Those documents are where the rules for the next season show up first. Read them if you help others apply, such as seniors or neighbours, and ask your provider which version they are using. Programs in California change with federal funding, so always confirm with your own provider before you plan a budget around a payment.
Before you call
Write down the name on your utility account, the account number and the amount you owe. Keep any disconnect notice in front of you and read the date aloud to the person who answers. If the notice gives only 24 to 48 hours, say that first so you are routed to the emergency program and not the regular line. Ask when you can expect a decision, and write the name of the person you spoke with.
What to do in California this winter
- Open the state page and use Find Services In Your Area.
- Pick the Energy Bill Assistance and Weatherization provider for your area.
- Ask for the income limit and what to bring.
- If you have a 24 to 48 hour disconnect notice, say so first and ask about ECIP.
- Ask about weatherization at the same visit.
More for California homes
- California home rebates: every program in one place
- Utility programs in California: utility rebates and bill programs
- Heating bill help in every state and province: all programs, dates and amounts
Common questions
What is LIHEAP in California?
A federally funded program with bill help (HEAP), emergency help (ECIP) and weatherization for low-income households.
How much funding does California have?
The state says it received $236.7 million in annual LIHEAP funding for federal fiscal year 2026.
Why might I be eligible and not get a benefit?
Funding is limited, and local providers put households with the greatest need first.
Who do I apply with?
Your local Energy Bill Assistance and Weatherization provider, found through the state's service finder.
By Sam Menard. Sources, last read October 21, 2026: California CSD: LIHEAP, LIHEAP Clearinghouse (HHS), U.S. HHS ACF: LIHEAP.
