Georgia LIHEAP helps low-income households pay heating and cooling bills through direct payments to their energy suppliers. The program is administered by the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) through a statewide network of Community Action Agencies (CAAs) — one CAA per county. Georgia has a priority early access window: residents age 65 and older and the medically homebound may begin applying for heating assistance December 1 (and cooling assistance April 1), while all other eligible residents must wait until January 1 for heating (and May 1 for cooling).
Georgia’s LIHEAP is entirely first-come, first-served — funding runs until it is exhausted. Applying on or before the opening date is essential.
What Does Georgia LIHEAP Cover?
Heating Assistance — a one-time payment toward winter energy bills, sent directly to your energy supplier. Benefit range: $400 minimum to $810 maximum. Program period: December 1 through July 31.
Cooling Assistance — a one-time payment toward summer cooling bills. Benefit range: $400 minimum to $500 maximum. Program period: April 1 through July 31.
Winter Crisis Assistance — emergency heating help for households in a qualifying energy crisis. Maximum: $810. Program period: December 1 through July 31.
Summer Crisis Assistance — emergency cooling help. Maximum: $500. Program period: April 1 through July 31.
Weatherization Assistance — free home energy efficiency upgrades (insulation, sealing, heating and cooling system improvements). Income limit: 200% Federal Poverty Guideline (more inclusive than the 60% SMI used for the other programs). Year-round.
Important note: Georgia LIHEAP benefits are paid directly to your energy supplier — not to you. This means your energy supplier must participate in the LIHEAP program. Households whose energy supplier does not participate in LIHEAP are not eligible for assistance. Confirm participation with your supplier when you apply.
Georgia CAAs may also have additional resources including the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) — ask your local agency about current availability.
Georgia LIHEAP Income Limits 2026
Georgia uses 60% of State Median Income (SMI) for heating, cooling, and crisis programs. Weatherization uses 200% Federal Poverty Guideline.
For the 2026 LIHEAP season, the confirmed income thresholds published by Georgia DFCS are:
| Household Size | Annual Income Limit (60% Georgia SMI) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $34,549 |
| 2 | ~$45,162 |
| 3 | ~$55,775 |
| 4 | $66,441 |
| 5 | $77,071 |
| 6 | ~$87,684 |
| 7 | ~$89,764 |
| 8 | ~$91,844 |
Annual income limits from the April 2026 Georgia DFCS cooling program announcement. Confirm the full table and monthly equivalents at dfcs.georgia.gov or by calling 1-877-423-4746.
For a national comparison of LIHEAP income thresholds, see the LIHEAP eligibility guide.
No asset limit: Georgia LIHEAP has no asset test.
Ineligible if energy account has $1,000+ credit: Households whose energy bill has a credit of $1,000 or more on the account are not eligible for LIHEAP assistance at the time of application.
Georgia’s Staggered Application System
Georgia operates a two-tier application schedule — a defining feature of the state’s program:
Priority tier (applies first):
- Residents age 65 or older
- Medically homebound individuals (regardless of age)
These households can begin applying for heating assistance on December 1 and cooling assistance on April 1.
General public tier (applies later): All other eligible Georgia residents may apply for heating assistance starting the first workday of January each year, and cooling assistance starting May 1.
Why this matters: Because LIHEAP is first-come, first-served and funding is limited, applying at the earliest possible date for your tier is essential. CAAs begin processing applications in the order received. Funding often runs out before July 31.
Who Qualifies for Georgia LIHEAP
To qualify for Georgia LIHEAP, your household must:
- Reside in Georgia as your primary residence
- Have income at or below 60% of Georgia SMI (see table above)
- Be responsible for paying the cost of energy for the primary home heating or cooling source — meaning either the utility bill is in your name, or you are contractually responsible for it
- Your energy supplier must participate in the LIHEAP program
Renters: Renters are eligible if they are responsible for their energy costs. If your landlord pays utilities, you may not qualify unless you have a separate utility account or documented energy cost responsibility.
No income from SNAP/SSI/TANF auto-qualifies — unlike some states, Georgia does not have a categorical eligibility provision that automatically qualifies SNAP, SSI, or TANF recipients. All applicants must meet the 60% SMI income test.
Continue paying your bill while applying: DFCS and CAAs explicitly remind applicants to continue paying their energy bill to avoid service interruption and additional fees while the application is being processed.
How to Apply for Georgia LIHEAP
Step 1 — Find Your Local Community Action Agency
Georgia LIHEAP applications are submitted exclusively through your local Community Action Agency — not through DFCS directly. There is one CAA per county.
Find your county’s CAA:
- Visit dfcs.georgia.gov/services/low-income-home-energy-assistance-program-liheap for the statewide CAA contact list
- Call DFCS at 1-877-423-4746
- Dial 211 for referrals to local energy assistance providers
For Georgia’s contact numbers, see the LIHEAP phone number directory. For a general overview of the application process, see how to apply for LIHEAP.
Step 2 — Schedule Your Intake Appointment
Contact your local CAA to schedule an intake appointment. Each CAA has its own process — some accept walk-ins, some require appointments, some open specific appointment slots on the first day of the application period. Call your CAA before the opening date to understand their intake process and schedule accordingly.
The general public cooling program, for example, opens for appointments at 10:00 AM on May 1.
Step 3 — Gather Required Documents
Bring the following to your intake appointment:
- Valid, U.S.-issued photo ID (driver’s license or state ID)
- Social Security cards for each person in the household
- Proof of income for the past 30 days — pay stubs, award letters (Social Security, SNAP, SSI, pension), or self-employment records for all household members
- Most recent gas AND electric bill for the household
Step 4 — Processing and Benefit Issuance
Once your application is processed and approved, the LIHEAP benefit is applied directly to your energy account through your energy supplier. Processing times vary by CAA — continue paying your bill during this period to avoid disconnection fees.
To check on a submitted application, see how to track your LIHEAP application status and contact your CAA directly.
Georgia LIHEAP Funding and Scale 2026
Georgia received $96,141,634 in federal LIHEAP funding for FY 2026, including an additional $4,513,129 from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. In FY 2024, Georgia served 83,520 heating households, 75,919 cooling households, 10,882 crisis households, and 861 weatherization households. Browse LIHEAP funding by state to see how Georgia compares nationally.
Georgia’s high heating (83,520) and cooling (75,919) enrollment reflects the state’s geographic range — cold winters in the north Georgia mountains and hot, humid summers throughout the state.
Additional Georgia Utility Assistance Programs
SCANA Energy Low-Income Natural Gas Program — SCANA Energy provides a regulated natural gas program for low-income Georgia households partially funded by the state’s universal service fund. Provides natural gas service to low-income households and those unable to obtain service from another marketer. Call SCANA Energy or contact the Georgia Public Service Commission at 404-656-4501.
Project SHARE (Salvation Army) — statewide emergency energy assistance program through The Salvation Army. For more information: 1-800-25SHARE or your power company’s customer service line.
Georgia Power Charitable Trust / Energy Assistance Fund — check with your local Georgia Power office for additional bill assistance programs for low-income customers.
211: Dial 211 for referrals to local energy assistance, food banks, and other community programs statewide.
Additional Resources for Georgia Families
Georgia SNAP (Food Stamps): Check Georgia SNAP income limits and see how to apply for SNAP in Georgia.
Georgia Medicaid: Check Georgia Medicaid eligibility and income limits.
WIC: For families with a pregnant woman, breastfeeding mother, or child under 5. Check Georgia WIC income eligibility.
211: Dial 211 or visit 211.org for referrals to local energy assistance, food, housing, and other programs across Georgia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the income limits for Georgia LIHEAP?
60% of Georgia State Median Income — $34,549/year for a 1-person household and $66,441/year for a 4-person household in 2026. There is no asset limit, but households with a utility account credit of $1,000 or more are not eligible. Weatherization uses 200% FPL.
Who can apply earliest in Georgia?
Residents age 65 or older and the medically homebound can apply for heating assistance starting December 1 (and cooling assistance April 1). All other eligible residents must wait until January (heating) or May 1 (cooling).
How do I apply for Georgia LIHEAP?
Contact your local Community Action Agency — there is one per county. Find yours at dfcs.georgia.gov or by calling 1-877-423-4746. Bring photo ID, Social Security cards for all household members, 30 days of income proof, and your most recent gas and electric bills.
Does Georgia LIHEAP provide automatic eligibility for SNAP/SSI recipients?
No — unlike some states, Georgia does not have categorical eligibility that automatically qualifies SNAP, SSI, or TANF recipients. All applicants must meet the 60% SMI income test regardless of other benefit enrollment.
What if my energy supplier doesn’t participate in LIHEAP?
You would not be eligible for LIHEAP assistance. All LIHEAP payments are made directly to energy suppliers through the LIHEAP program — suppliers must be enrolled in the program. Ask your CAA if your supplier participates before applying.
How much is Georgia LIHEAP worth?
Heating: $400 to $810. Cooling: $400 to $500. Winter crisis: $810 maximum. Summer crisis: $500 maximum. All payments go directly to your energy supplier.
For current Georgia LIHEAP information and to find your county’s Community Action Agency, visit dfcs.georgia.gov/services/low-income-home-energy-assistance-program-liheap or call 1-877-423-4746.