Connecticut calls its LIHEAP program “CEAP” — the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program — administered by the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) through nine Community Action Agencies (CAAs) statewide. CEAP helps Connecticut residents pay for their home heating costs. Applications for the 2025–2026 season opened September 1, 2025, and the final application deadline is May 29, 2026.
Connecticut’s CEAP stands out in two important ways: it uses a vulnerable household tier that increases benefits for households with elderly members, young children, or disabled individuals — and households that heat with deliverable fuels (oil, propane, kerosene, wood) can receive multiple free fuel deliveries rather than a single one-time payment.
What Does Connecticut CEAP Cover?
Basic Heating Benefit — paid to all eligible households regardless of heating type:
- Non-vulnerable households: $295 to $595
- Vulnerable households (member under 6, age 60+, or disabled at any age): $345 to $645
Benefits are determined by income level, household size, and vulnerability status.
Deliverable Fuel Benefit — for households heating with oil, propane, kerosene, wood, wood pellets, or coal, CEAP provides:
- A one-time payment plus additional free fuel deliveries when the tank runs low
- Call your CAA or oil vendor when you are at approximately ¼ tank to request delivery
- Fuel authorizations and deliveries under the Basic Benefit must be used by April 1, 2026; paid invoices for fuel purchases between November 1 and April 1 may still be submitted through June 17, 2026
Renter Benefit (heat included in rent): Renters whose heat is included in their rent do not pay a utility vendor directly. CEAP issues a check directly to qualifying renters in this situation.
Crisis Assistance — for deliverable-fuel households that have exhausted their Basic Benefit and are running out of fuel. Maximum: $425 (for households at or below 200% FPL) or $550 (for households between 200% FPL and 60% SMI). Crisis assistance requires the household to have already received a CEAP Basic Benefit.
Weatherization — free home energy efficiency upgrades through the state’s weatherization program. Maximum: $15,000. Income threshold: 60% SMI.
Additional CEAP benefits:
- Shut-off protection — CEAP recipients may be eligible for protection from utility disconnection
- Payment matching plans — utility companies offer matching plans to CEAP recipients to help reduce primary heating costs
- Heating equipment repair or replacement — CEAP recipients may qualify for free furnace repairs or replacement
Connecticut CEAP Income Limits 2026
Connecticut uses 60% of State Median Income (SMI) as its eligibility threshold. For the 2025–2026 season, based on the most recently published benefit matrix structure, the annual income limits by household size were:
| Household Size | Annual Income Limit (60% Connecticut SMI) |
|---|---|
| 1 | ~$45,505 |
| 2 | ~$59,507 |
| 3 | ~$73,509 |
| 4 | ~$87,511 |
| 5 | ~$101,513 |
| 6 | ~$115,514 |
| 7 | ~$118,139 |
| 8 | ~$120,765 |
Based on the 2025–2026 CEAP Benefit Matrix. Confirm 2026 limits at portal.ct.gov/heatinghelp — figures update each September when the new season opens.
Connecticut’s income limits are among the highest in the country — a family of four with annual income up to ~$87,511 may qualify. For a national comparison of how states set their income thresholds, see the LIHEAP eligibility guide.
Categorical eligibility: You automatically meet income requirements if your household receives SNAP, Temporary Family Assistance (TFA/TANF), SSI, or State Supplement for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled. You must still apply and provide required documents, but income verification is satisfied automatically.
No liquid asset test: Connecticut eliminated the liquid assets test for the 2025–2026 CEAP season.
Connecticut’s Three-Tier Benefit Structure
Connecticut’s benefit structure is more sophisticated than most states — benefits vary based on three factors simultaneously:
1. Income Level:
- Level 1 — up to 125% Federal Poverty Guidelines
- Level 2 — 126% to 200% Federal Poverty Guidelines
- Level 3 — 201% FPG up to 60% State Median Income
2. Vulnerability: A household is “vulnerable” if any member is:
- Under age 6
- Age 60 or older
- Disabled (any age)
Vulnerable households receive $50 more than non-vulnerable households at each income level.
3. Fuel Type:
- Deliverable fuel households (oil, propane, wood, kerosene) are eligible for the full range of benefits plus crisis assistance and multiple fuel deliveries
- Utility-heated households (gas, electric) receive the Basic Benefit as a credit on their utility bill
How to Apply for Connecticut CEAP
Application Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| September 1, [current_year-1] | Online applications open; in-person begins September 2 |
| November 1, [current_year-1] | First day for fuel authorizations and deliveries (oil heat households) |
| January 2026 | Gas/electric and heat-included-in-rent households typically apply |
| April 1, 2026 | Deadline for fuel authorizations/deliveries for already-approved households |
| May 29, 2026 | Final day to apply for CEAP |
| June 17, 2026 | Last day for submission of deliverable fuel bills |
Important: Oil-heated households should apply earlier in the season (October–November) to ensure timely fuel deliveries before the authorization deadline.
Application Methods
Online: Apply through the CEAP online portal at portal.ct.gov/heatinghelp. The portal includes an automatic data-filler for returning customers and automatic income verification for households receiving SNAP or TFA. Applications take approximately 30–45 minutes to complete.
In person: Visit your local Community Action Agency. Connecticut has nine CAAs serving different regions of the state — find yours at portal.ct.gov/heatinghelp. Walk in, call, or email your local CAA.
By phone: Call your local CAA directly. You can also request an application by phone through the CAA.
By mail or email: Download the application from the CEAP portal and mail or email to your local CAA. Applications sent by mail must be postmarked by May 29, 2026.
Homebound individuals may apply by mail, telephone, or online.
For general guidance on the application process, see how to apply for LIHEAP. Connecticut’s CAA contact information can also be found in the LIHEAP phone number directory.
Required Documents
Bring or submit the following:
- Proof of identity for the applicant
- Social Security numbers for all household members
- Proof of income — last 30 days, or any 4 consecutive weeks within the last 3 months (pay stubs, award letters for SSI, SNAP, Social Security, TFA, etc.)
- Most recent heating/utility bill or fuel delivery receipt
- If heat is included in rent: original lease agreement
- For SNAP, TFA, or SSI recipients: benefit award letter (income automatically verified)
After submitting, you’ll receive a letter within 45 days notifying you of eligibility and benefit amount.
Using Your Connecticut CEAP Benefit
If you heat with oil, propane, kerosene, wood, or other deliverable fuels:
- CEAP authorizes your fuel vendor to make deliveries on your behalf
- Call your CAA or vendor when you reach approximately ¼ tank to request a delivery
- Continue requesting deliveries until your benefit is exhausted or the April 1 authorization deadline passes
- ~240 deliverable fuel vendors participate in the CEAP program statewide
If you heat with gas or electricity:
- Your benefit appears as a credit on your Eversource, United Illuminating, or Southern Connecticut Gas bill
- Credits typically appear by summer following application approval
If your heat is included in your rent:
- You receive a check payable directly to you
- Payments are typically issued by summer following approval
Once approved, check how to track your LIHEAP application status for general guidance, then contact your CAA for Connecticut-specific case updates.
Connecticut CEAP Funding 2026
Connecticut received $90,222,435 in federal LIHEAP funding for FY 2026, including an additional $3,933,466 from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. In FY 2024, Connecticut served 102,166 heating households and 30,199 winter crisis households, and completed 749 weatherization projects. Browse LIHEAP funding by state to see how Connecticut compares nationally.
If You Don’t Qualify for CEAP — Operation Fuel
Connecticut has a private nonprofit program called Operation Fuel specifically for households that don’t qualify for CEAP:
- Serves households with incomes typically between 151% and 200% of Federal Poverty Level — above CEAP’s entry point but still struggling with energy costs
- Funded by utility company donations, which are required by Connecticut law for all gas and electric utilities with 75,000+ customers
- Contact: 860-243-2345 or energize.ct.com/operation-fuel
Eversource Discount Rate / Low-Income Discount Rate (LIDR) — Eversource customers who receive CEAP, SNAP, TANF, Head Start, or similar benefits may qualify for a discounted electric rate. Contact your local CAA or Eversource directly.
Additional Resources for Connecticut Families
Connecticut SNAP: Check Connecticut SNAP income limits and see how to apply for SNAP in Connecticut.
Connecticut Medicaid (HUSKY Health): Check Connecticut Medicaid eligibility and income limits.
WIC: For families with a pregnant woman, breastfeeding mother, or child under 5. Check Connecticut WIC income eligibility.
211: Dial 211 or visit 211ct.org for referrals to local energy assistance, food, housing, and other programs across Connecticut.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CEAP in Connecticut?
CEAP (Connecticut Energy Assistance Program) is Connecticut’s name for the federal LIHEAP program. It helps low- and moderate-income Connecticut households pay for home heating costs. Administered by DSS through nine Community Action Agencies, it runs September 1 through May 29 each year.
What are the income limits for Connecticut CEAP?
Connecticut uses 60% of State Median Income — approximately $87,511/year for a family of four for the 2025–2026 season. There is no liquid assets test. Households receiving SNAP, TFA, or SSI automatically meet income requirements. Confirm current limits at portal.ct.gov/heatinghelp.
What is a “vulnerable household” in CEAP?
A vulnerable household is one with a member who is under age 6, age 60 or older, or disabled at any age. Vulnerable households receive $50 more in benefits at each income level — ranging from $345 to $645 versus $295 to $595 for non-vulnerable households.
Do oil-heated households get more help from CEAP?
Yes — households that heat with oil, propane, kerosene, wood, or other deliverable fuels receive the Basic Benefit plus multiple free fuel deliveries throughout the season. Call your CAA or vendor at ¼ tank to request a delivery. Gas and electric households receive a one-time credit on their utility bill.
When should I apply if I heat with oil?
Apply as early as possible — ideally in September or October — to ensure fuel deliveries can begin in November before the authorization deadline. Gas, electric, and heat-in-rent households typically apply from January onward, but can also apply in September.
What is Operation Fuel?
Operation Fuel is a private nonprofit for Connecticut residents who earn too much for CEAP (typically 151–200% FPL). It provides emergency energy bill assistance funded by mandatory utility company donations. Call 860-243-2345.
For the official Connecticut CEAP program, to find your local CAA, and to apply, visit portal.ct.gov/heatinghelp. Income limits and benefit amounts update each September — confirm current figures at the CEAP portal.