North Dakota LIHEAP helps low-income households pay heating and cooling bills through the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), administered through local Human Service Zone offices in each county and through the LIHEAP Customer Support Center in Bismarck. North Dakota’s program accepts applications year-round — both through an online Self-Service Portal and in person at Human Service Zone offices.
North Dakota stands out in this series for one major feature: a $7,500 maximum heating benefit — the highest heating benefit cap of any state in the LIHEAP series. North Dakota also allows deductions for medical expenses, childcare expenses, and child support/alimony when calculating eligibility, potentially qualifying households whose gross income exceeds the standard 60% SMI threshold.
What Does North Dakota LIHEAP Cover?
Heating Assistance — a one-time payment per heating season toward residential heating costs (natural gas, electricity, propane, fuel oil, coal, wood, or other fuels), paid directly to your utility or fuel vendor. Benefit range: $1 minimum to $7,500 maximum — the highest heating maximum of any state in this series. Benefits are based on household size, income, housing type, and fuel type. Program period: October 1 through May 31 (with most benefits distributed November–March).
Cooling Assistance — available for households with a member age 60 or older or with a documented medical condition making them vulnerable to heat-related illness. Qualifying households can receive assistance toward purchasing and repairing air conditioners and other cooling devices, including a voucher of up to $300 for a window air conditioner or fans from your local county social services office. A note from a medical professional verifying the heat-sensitive condition is required. Maximum: $1,000. Contact your local Human Service Zone or community service agency.
Crisis Assistance — emergency help for households facing an immediate energy emergency (shutoff notice, service disconnection, running out of fuel, or a broken heating system creating a financial hardship). Maximum: $500. Available year-round.
Weatherization Assistance — free home energy efficiency upgrades (insulation, weatherstripping around doors and windows, furnace cleaning/repair/replacement, chimney cleaning and inspection). North Dakota’s weatherization includes furnace cleaning, repair, and replacement and chimney cleaning and inspection — both explicitly listed in program materials. Income limit: higher than LIHEAP (contact your Human Service Zone). Year-round.
MHA Nation Tribal LIHEAP (Three Affiliated Tribes): Members of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation (MHA Nation) living within a 12-mile radius of the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation (FBIR) boundary should apply through the MHA Nation LIHEAP office (available October 1 through April 30). An important MHA Nation–specific rule: mineral rights royalties and bonus income are NOT counted as income for LIHEAP purposes. Tribal members living outside the 12-mile radius apply through the state HHS program.
North Dakota LIHEAP Income Limits 2026
North Dakota uses 60% of State Median Income (SMI) for all LIHEAP components. Applications are accepted year-round; the income guidelines for FY 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) are in effect for the current program year.
| Household Size | Monthly Gross Income Limit (approx. 60% ND SMI) |
|---|---|
| 1 | ~$3,119 |
| 2 | ~$4,079 |
| 3 | ~$5,040 |
| 4 | ~$6,000 |
| 5 | ~$6,960 |
| 6 | ~$7,920 |
| 7 | ~$8,100 |
| 8 | ~$8,280 |
Estimated from 60% North Dakota SMI for FY26. The official income guidelines table is published at hhs.nd.gov/applyforhelp/liheap. Confirm current figures before applying by visiting the HHS portal or calling 701-328-2332.
For a national comparison of LIHEAP income thresholds, see the LIHEAP eligibility guide.
No asset limit: North Dakota LIHEAP has no asset test for most households. However, seasonal benefits (for regular heating assistance) are based in part on assets in addition to income, housing type, and fuel type — contact your Human Service Zone office for details.
Expense deductions — unique in this series: North Dakota allows documented expenses paid from June 1 to the current date to be deducted from gross income when determining LIHEAP eligibility. Deductible expenses include:
- Medical expenses (paid out-of-pocket, not reimbursed)
- Childcare expenses
- Child support or alimony paid
This means that households with significant out-of-pocket medical, childcare, or child support costs can potentially qualify even if their gross income is slightly above the 60% SMI threshold. North Dakota joins Maine (medical deduction only) and Missouri (medical deduction) as states with expense deduction mechanisms — but North Dakota’s childcare deduction is unique in this series.
Three-month income verification: North Dakota requires proof of income received in the prior month, current month, and what is anticipated in the following month — a three-point verification approach that accounts for income variability.
Categorical eligibility: Households receiving SNAP, SSI, or TANF automatically qualify for LIHEAP income requirements. Confirm with your Human Service Zone.
Program Dates
| Program | Dates |
|---|---|
| Heating Assistance | October 1 – May 31 (applications accepted year-round) |
| Cooling Assistance | Year-round (medical/age requirement) |
| Crisis Assistance | Year-round |
| Weatherization | Year-round |
| MHA Nation LIHEAP | October 1 – April 30 |
North Dakota accepts LIHEAP applications year-round — not just during the heating season. This is one of the few states in this series with true year-round application acceptance (alongside Nevada, Louisiana, and Maryland).
Who Qualifies for North Dakota LIHEAP
To be eligible for North Dakota LIHEAP:
- North Dakota residency as primary dwelling
- Income at or below 60% North Dakota SMI (or lower after eligible expense deductions)
- Responsibility for home heating costs — you pay for heat directly or through rent
- U.S. citizenship or qualifying immigration status
Both homeowners and renters qualify. Benefits are paid directly to your utility or fuel vendor. If you rent, provide a copy of your lease with your application.
Cooling eligibility (restricted): Age 60+ or medical condition documented by a healthcare professional verifying heat-sensitive vulnerability.
How to Apply for North Dakota LIHEAP
Step 1 — Apply Online, In Person, or By Mail
Online: Apply through the ND HHS Self-Service Portal (SSP) at hhs.nd.gov/applyforhelp/liheap — North Dakota’s integrated benefits portal. The online application is directed to the appropriate county Human Service Zone automatically.
In person: Visit your local Human Service Zone office. Applications are accepted at county offices statewide. Ward County and other counties also use the same ND Customer Support Center (CSC) number.
By mail: Contact your local Human Service Zone office and request an application be mailed to you, then return the completed application to the zone office.
For a general overview of the LIHEAP application process, see how to apply for LIHEAP. North Dakota’s HHS contacts are also in the LIHEAP phone number directory.
LIHEAP Customer Support Center (CSC): Call 701-328-2332 for program questions and assistance. Ward County and other counties also provide the statewide CSC number (866-614-6005) for benefit status calls — add this number to your contacts to avoid missing important calls flagged as spam.
MHA Nation members: Apply through the MHA Nation LIHEAP office (October 1–April 30) if living within the 12-mile FBIR radius. Outside that radius: apply through the state HHS program above.
Step 2 — Required Documents
- Proof of income for the prior month, current month, and anticipated next month — pay stubs, benefit award letters (SNAP, SSI, TANF), Social Security statements
- Verifications of eligible expenses paid from June 1 to current date — medical bills paid out-of-pocket, childcare receipts, child support/alimony documentation
- Copy of most recent heating utility bill showing account number and service address
- Copy of lease (if applicant rents)
- Medical documentation (for cooling assistance — note from healthcare professional verifying heat-sensitive medical condition)
Step 3 — Processing and Benefit
Once approved, benefits are paid directly to your utility or fuel vendor. You will receive a letter within 30 business days of application (per MHA Nation’s materials; state program timelines may vary slightly). To follow up on a submitted application, contact your Human Service Zone or see how to track your LIHEAP application status.
North Dakota LIHEAP Funding 2026
North Dakota received $23,595,315 in federal LIHEAP funding for FY 2026, including an additional $537,798 from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. In FY 2024, North Dakota served 14,165 heating households, 811 cooling households, and 330 crisis households, with 191 weatherization projects completed. Browse LIHEAP funding by state to compare North Dakota with other states.
North Dakota Utility Assistance Programs
Dakota Natural Gas LIHEAP Partnership — Dakota Natural Gas customers can apply for LIHEAP through the company’s outreach program. Call 1-800-755-2716 for a Community Options outreach representative to help fill out the application.
Otter Tail Power Customer Relations — Otter Tail Power residential customers may be referred to LIHEAP and local assistance programs through the utility’s customer relations team.
Center for Rural Health / Community Action Agencies — North Dakota has several regional community action agencies that assist with LIHEAP applications and may have supplemental emergency funds. Contact your county Human Service Zone for local referrals.
Additional Resources for North Dakota Families
North Dakota SNAP: Check North Dakota SNAP income limits and see how to apply for SNAP in North Dakota.
North Dakota Medicaid: Check North Dakota Medicaid eligibility and income limits.
WIC: For families with a pregnant woman, breastfeeding mother, or child under 5. Check North Dakota WIC income eligibility.
211: Dial 211 for referrals to local energy assistance, food, housing, and other programs across North Dakota.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the income limits for North Dakota LIHEAP?
North Dakota uses 60% of State Median Income — approximately $6,000/month for a household of 4 in FY 2026. Households with significant medical expenses, childcare costs, or child support payments can deduct those amounts from gross income before the eligibility test. There is no asset limit for most households. Confirm the current table at hhs.nd.gov.
What is North Dakota’s $7,500 heating benefit maximum?
North Dakota’s LIHEAP has the highest heating benefit maximum of any state in this series — up to $7,500. The actual benefit depends on household size, income, housing type, and fuel type. The high maximum reflects North Dakota’s extreme winters and high heating fuel costs.
Can I deduct childcare expenses to qualify for LIHEAP?
Yes — North Dakota allows deductions for medical expenses, childcare expenses, and child support/alimony paid from June 1 through the application date when determining eligibility. If your gross income is slightly above 60% SMI but you have significant childcare costs, you may still qualify.
What is the three-month income verification requirement?
North Dakota requires documentation of income for the prior month, current month, and anticipated next month — a three-point verification approach that accounts for variable income. Bring all three months’ documentation when applying.
How does the MHA Nation LIHEAP work?
MHA Nation (Three Affiliated Tribes) members living within 12 miles of the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation boundary apply through the MHA Nation LIHEAP office (October 1–April 30). Importantly, mineral rights royalties and bonus income are NOT counted as income for MHA Nation LIHEAP. Members outside the 12-mile radius apply through the state HHS program.
For current North Dakota LIHEAP information and to apply, visit hhs.nd.gov/applyforhelp/liheap or call the LIHEAP Customer Support Center at 701-328-2332.