California LIHEAP — called HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) in state materials — helps low-income California households pay heating and cooling bills. The program is federally funded and administered by the California Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) through a statewide network of local service providers. California’s program runs year-round for all four assistance types: heating, cooling, crisis, and weatherization.
With $242 million in federal funding for FY 2026, California operates the largest LIHEAP program in the country by dollar amount — reflecting both the state’s massive population and the significant energy burden carried by low-income Californians, particularly in the Central Valley, Inland Empire, and desert communities where summer cooling costs can be severe.
What Does California LIHEAP Cover?
Regular Heating Assistance — a one-time payment per program year toward your heating bills, paid directly to your utility company. Benefit range: $94 minimum to $1,500 maximum. Benefits are calculated based on your household’s out-of-pocket energy costs, income, and household size.
Regular Cooling Assistance — a one-time payment per program year toward summer cooling bills. Benefit range: $283 minimum to $932 maximum.
Crisis Assistance / Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) — emergency help when your household faces an immediate energy crisis. Qualifying situations include:
- A 48-hour disconnection notice from your utility company
- Service that has already been terminated
- An energy-related life-threatening emergency (including a combustible appliance crisis)
- Running out of fuel (propane, wood, heating oil)
Maximum crisis benefit: $1,500. Crisis applications are expedited — typically processed within 48 hours of a complete application being submitted with a shutoff notice.
Weatherization Assistance — free home energy efficiency upgrades (insulation, weather-stripping, heating/cooling system improvements, combustion safety improvements). California has requested a federal waiver to use 25% of its LIHEAP allocation for weatherization — one of the highest weatherization investment rates in the country. All four California programs use 60% SMI as the income threshold, including weatherization. Year-round.
Eligible fuel types: electricity, natural gas, propane, wood, and heating oil. Benefits are paid directly to your utility or fuel provider — not to you directly.
California LIHEAP Income Limits 2026
California uses 60% of State Median Income (SMI) for all four programs — heating, cooling, crisis, and weatherization — with no separate FPL fallback. The 2026 income eligibility table published by CSD on their official income eligibility page is:
| Household Size | Monthly Gross Income Limit (60% SMI) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $3,331.66 |
| 2 | $4,356.83 |
| 3 | $5,382.00 |
| 4 | $6,407.16 |
| 5 | $7,432.25 |
| 6 | $8,457.41 |
| 7 | $8,649.66 |
| 8 | $8,841.83 |
| 9 | $9,034.08 |
| 10 | $9,226.25 |
| Each additional | +$192.21/month |
Source: California CSD official income eligibility table, effective October 1, 2025. Confirm current figures at csd.ca.gov/Pages/LIHEAP-Income-Eligibility.aspx.
California’s 60% SMI thresholds are among the highest income limits in the nation for LIHEAP — for a household of 4, the monthly limit of ~$6,407 is substantially above the 150% FPL limit ($3,834) used by most states. This means many working California families who would be ineligible in other states can qualify here.
For a national comparison of how states set their income thresholds, see the LIHEAP eligibility guide.
No asset limit: California LIHEAP has no asset test. You can own your home, a vehicle, or hold savings and still qualify as long as your gross monthly income falls below the 60% SMI limit.
Categorical eligibility: Households receiving CalFresh (SNAP), SSI, or CalWORKs (TANF) may be categorically eligible. Contact your local service provider to confirm.
Program Dates and Timing
All four California LIHEAP programs operate year-round:
| Program | Dates |
|---|---|
| Heating Assistance | Year-round (October 1 – September 30 program year) |
| Cooling Assistance | Year-round |
| Crisis Assistance (ECIP) | Year-round |
| Weatherization | Year-round |
The 2026 LIHEAP program year runs October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026, with funds available through June 30, 2026. While applications are accepted year-round, local agencies may pause intake when their current allocation is exhausted — apply early.
Priority Plan: CSD’s 2026 Priority Plan prioritizes applicants based on income, energy burden, and vulnerable population status — specifically older adults (60+), individuals with a disability, and families with young children.
Who Qualifies for California LIHEAP
To be eligible for California LIHEAP, your household must:
- Live in California in a home with an energy cost or need
- Meet income limits: Gross monthly household income at or below 60% SMI (see table above)
- Have a qualifying energy need: An active utility account, fuel purchase, or energy-related crisis
Renters are eligible — including renters whose landlord pays the utility bill. If a landlord pays utilities, the landlord must sign a CSD landlord agreement form; this does not create a lien on the property or long-term obligation.
Homeowners are eligible — owning your home does not disqualify you.
Undocumented immigrants: California’s CSD does not require immigration status verification for LIHEAP. Contact your local service provider for details.
Priority populations served first:
- Households with members aged 60 or older
- Households with members who have disabilities
- Households with young children
- Households with the highest energy burden relative to income
How to Apply for LIHEAP in California
Step 1 — Find Your Local CSD Service Provider
California LIHEAP is administered through local service providers contracted by CSD — including Community Action Agencies, county agencies, and nonprofit organizations. You apply with your county’s designated provider, not through a state portal.
Find your local agency at csd.ca.gov or by calling 800-433-4327 (CSD main line). You can also dial 211 for a referral to your county’s LIHEAP provider.
For a general overview of the LIHEAP application process that applies nationwide, see how to apply for LIHEAP. California’s agency contact information is also in the LIHEAP phone number directory.
Step 2 — Gather Required Documents
Standard documentation for the California LIHEAP application (CSD Form CSD-43) includes:
- Government-issued photo ID for the applicant
- Social Security numbers for all household members (or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers)
- Proof of income for all household members — recent pay stubs, award letters (SSI, CalFresh, Social Security), or self-employment records
- All pages of your most current energy/utility bill — showing your account number, service address, and usage
- For crisis applications: the 48-hour disconnection notice or service termination notice, or a current receipt of fuel purchase (propane, wood, heating oil)
- For renters where landlord pays utilities: a signed CSD landlord agreement form
If you have a disability or need help completing the application, you may request assistance from the local agency.
Step 3 — Submit and Processing Time
Standard applications take approximately six weeks from the date a complete packet is submitted. Crisis applications with a 48-hour shutoff notice are expedited and typically processed within 48 hours. Incomplete applications significantly delay processing.
To follow up on a submitted application, see how to check your LIHEAP application status for general guidance, then contact your specific local provider directly.
Step 4 — Benefit Payment
Benefits are paid directly to your utility company or fuel provider as a credit on your account. You do not receive a cash payment. Your local agency will notify you of your approved benefit amount.
California LIHEAP and CARE / FERA — Utility Discount Programs
California has two utility-specific low-income discount programs that work alongside LIHEAP:
CARE (California Alternate Rates for Energy) — a permanent monthly discount on utility bills for income-eligible customers:
- 30–35% discount on electricity bills
- 20% discount on natural gas bills
- Income limit: approximately 200% FPL (varies by utility)
- Apply directly through your utility company (PG&E, SoCalGas, SCE, SDG&E, etc.)
FERA (Family Electric Rate Assistance) — an additional electricity discount for households of 3 or more that don’t qualify for CARE but still have modest incomes. FERA provides approximately a 18% discount on electric bills.
Both CARE and FERA are ongoing monthly discounts — unlike LIHEAP which is a one-time annual payment. Many California low-income households qualify for both LIHEAP and CARE/FERA simultaneously. Contact your utility company to apply for CARE and FERA.
California LIHEAP Funding 2026
California received $242,108,452 in federal LIHEAP funding for FY 2026 — the largest state LIHEAP allocation in the country — including an additional $5,339,144 from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. In FY 2024, California served 69,115 heating households, 28,177 cooling households, 82,377 crisis households, and 4,808 weatherization households. Browse LIHEAP funding by state to see how California compares nationally.
Notably, California’s crisis case volume (82,377) substantially exceeds its regular heating (69,115) and cooling (28,177) enrollment — reflecting the significant energy burden California utility bills place on low-income households, particularly in regions with extreme summer heat.
Additional Resources for California Families
California CalFresh (SNAP): Check California SNAP income limits and see how to apply for CalFresh in California.
California Medicaid (Medi-Cal): Check California Medicaid eligibility and income limits.
WIC: For families with a pregnant woman, breastfeeding mother, or child under 5. Check California WIC income eligibility.
211: Dial 211 or visit 211.org for referrals to local energy assistance, food, housing, and other programs across California.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is LIHEAP called in California?
California officially calls its program HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) in state materials, though LIHEAP is the federal name used interchangeably. It is administered by the California Department of Community Services and Development (CSD).
What is the income limit for California LIHEAP?
California uses 60% of State Median Income for all programs. For a household of 4, that’s approximately $6,407/month — one of the highest thresholds in the country. There is no asset limit. Confirm the current table at csd.ca.gov/Pages/LIHEAP-Income-Eligibility.aspx.
How long does California LIHEAP take to process?
Standard applications take approximately six weeks from submission of a complete packet. Crisis applications with a 48-hour shutoff notice are expedited and typically processed within 48 hours. Incomplete applications can add weeks to processing time.
Can I get both LIHEAP and CARE in California?
Yes — LIHEAP and CARE are separate programs and can be received simultaneously. LIHEAP is a one-time annual payment to your utility; CARE is an ongoing monthly discount (30–35% off electricity, 20% off gas) applied to your bill automatically once enrolled. Apply for CARE directly through your utility company.
Does California LIHEAP cover renters?
Yes — renters are eligible even if their landlord pays the utility bill. In that case, the landlord must sign a CSD landlord agreement form authorizing the assistance, which creates no long-term obligation or lien on the property.
Is documentation required for undocumented residents?
California CSD does not require immigration status verification for LIHEAP. Contact your local service provider for guidance specific to your county.
For the official California LIHEAP program and to find your local service provider, visit csd.ca.gov or call 800-433-4327. Income limits are updated each October 1 when the federal fiscal year begins — confirm current figures at csd.ca.gov/Pages/LIHEAP-Income-Eligibility.aspx.