Alabama LIHEAP — the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program — helps low-income households pay heating and cooling bills. The program is federally funded and administered in Alabama by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), which contracts with community action agencies and local nonprofit agencies in every county to deliver benefits directly to eligible residents.
Alabama LIHEAP is not applied for online at a state portal. You apply in person through your local community action agency — and because funding is limited and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, applying early in each season makes a significant difference.
What Does Alabama LIHEAP Cover?
Alabama LIHEAP provides four types of assistance:
Regular Heating Assistance — a one-time payment toward your winter heating bill, paid directly to your utility company or fuel vendor. Benefit amounts range from $280 minimum to $580 maximum depending on your household income and size.
Regular Cooling Assistance — a one-time payment toward your summer cooling bill. Benefit range: $320 minimum to $520 maximum.
Crisis Heating Assistance — emergency help when you face a shutoff notice, a broken furnace, or a similar heating emergency in winter. Maximum: $1,100.
Crisis Cooling Assistance — emergency help during a summer cooling emergency such as a shutoff notice or broken air conditioning. Maximum: $990.
Weatherization Assistance — a related but separate program that provides home energy efficiency upgrades (insulation, heating system repairs, etc.) to permanently lower energy costs. Income limit for weatherization: 200% FPL.
Eligible households can receive one regular heating payment and one regular cooling payment per program year. Households that qualify for crisis assistance may also receive one crisis heating payment and one crisis cooling payment in addition.
Alabama LIHEAP Income Limits 2026
To qualify for Alabama LIHEAP, your household’s gross monthly income (before taxes and deductions) must be at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). There is no asset limit — Alabama does not consider savings accounts or vehicle ownership. For a comparison of how income limits vary across all states, see the LIHEAP eligibility guide.
| Household Size | Monthly Gross Income Limit | Annual Gross Income Limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,958 | $23,490 |
| 2 | $2,648 | $31,782 |
| 3 | $3,338 | $40,065 |
| 4 | $4,025 | $48,300 |
| 5 | $4,713 | $56,565 |
| 6 | $5,403 | $64,830 |
| 7 | $6,090 | $73,080 |
| 8 | $6,780 | $81,360 |
| Each additional | +$690/month | +$8,280/year |
Based on 150% FPL. ADECA updates the Payment Assistance Chart when new federal poverty guidelines are released. Confirm current figures with your local community action agency or at adeca.alabama.gov/liheap.
Categorical eligibility: If your household receives SNAP, SSI, or TANF, you likely automatically meet the income requirements for Alabama LIHEAP. Bring your benefit award letter when you apply. See Alabama SNAP income limits if you’re not yet enrolled in food benefits.
Alabama LIHEAP Program Dates 2026
| Program Type | Operating Period |
|---|---|
| Heating assistance | October 1 – April 30 |
| Cooling assistance | May 1 – September 30 |
| Crisis heating | October 1 – April 30 |
| Crisis cooling | May 1 – September 30 |
| Weatherization | Year-round |
Important: These are program operating windows, not guaranteed application deadlines. Alabama does not have a single statewide opening date — each community action agency announces its own intake schedule as it receives funding. Funds are limited and are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Apply as early as possible in each season.
Priority households served first typically include those with elderly members, people with disabilities, and households with young children.
Who Qualifies for Alabama LIHEAP
To be eligible for Alabama LIHEAP, your household must meet all of the following:
- Residency: You must live in Alabama
- Income: Household gross monthly income at or below 150% FPL (see table above)
- Energy need: You must have a home energy cost or need — including an active utility account or fuel purchase
Priority given to:
- Households with members aged 60 or older
- Households with members who have disabilities
- Households with young children (under 5)
- Households with the lowest incomes and the highest energy costs relative to income
There is no criminal background check. LIHEAP eligibility is based entirely on income and household circumstances, not criminal history.
Citizenship: Alabama LIHEAP follows federal guidelines. U.S. citizens and certain qualified noncitizens are eligible. Contact your local agency if you have questions about immigration status and eligibility.
How to Apply for LIHEAP in Alabama
Step 1 — Find Your Local Community Action Agency
Alabama LIHEAP is administered through local community action agencies — not through ADECA’s state office directly. You cannot apply at the state office. Find your nearest agency:
- Visit the ADECA LIHEAP Regions Map at adeca.alabama.gov to find your local agency
- Call 1-800-392-8098 to get the phone number and address of your county’s agency — or find it in the LIHEAP phone number directory
- Dial 211 for a statewide referral to local energy assistance programs
For a general walkthrough of the application process that applies nationwide, see how to apply for LIHEAP.
Step 2 — Gather Required Documents
Bring all of the following to your appointment:
- Photo ID of the applicant (driver’s license, state ID, or passport)
- Social Security cards for all household members
- Proof of income for the previous month for all adults 18 and older — pay stubs, award letters (Social Security, SSI, SNAP, etc.), or employer letters. If you had no income in the prior month, you will complete a Declaration of Household Income form at the agency
- Most recent utility bill in the applicant’s name — the bill that shows your account number and service address
- Completed LIHEAP application — available at your local agency or downloadable from adeca.alabama.gov/liheap-documents
- Completed LIHEAP vendor agreement form (provided by the agency)
- If applying for help with an Alabama Power bill: completed Alabama Power Portal form (provided by agency)
Step 3 — Schedule an Appointment
Most Alabama community action agencies require appointments. Contact your local agency to schedule. Some agencies accept walk-ins depending on capacity. Call ahead to confirm.
Step 4 — Attend Your Appointment
At the appointment, agency intake staff will review your documents, complete your application in the FACSPro system, and determine your benefit amount based on your household income and size. Benefits are paid directly to your utility company or fuel vendor — you do not receive a cash payment.
Processing time is typically 2–4 weeks for regular assistance. If you have a shutoff notice, tell the agency immediately — crisis assistance can often be expedited within 48 hours to prevent disconnection.
Step 5 — Receive Your Benefit
Once approved, ADECA or your local agency sends payment directly to your utility company or fuel vendor on your behalf. You will receive a notification of the award amount. Keep a copy of all documents submitted. If you want to follow up on a pending case, see how to check your LIHEAP application status.
Alabama LIHEAP Funding 2026
Alabama received $58,667,004 in federal LIHEAP funding for FY 2026, including an additional $1,248,405 from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This funding supports services to tens of thousands of Alabama households — in FY 2024, Alabama served 70,818 heating households, 47,578 cooling households, 19,763 winter crisis households, and 14,166 summer crisis households. To see how Alabama’s allocation compares to other states, visit the LIHEAP state directory.
Additional Resources for Alabama Families
If you need help with more than just energy bills, these programs may also be available:
Alabama SNAP (food assistance): Check Alabama SNAP income limits and see how to apply for SNAP in Alabama.
Alabama Medicaid: Check Alabama Medicaid eligibility and income limits to see if your household qualifies for health coverage.
WIC: For families with a pregnant woman, breastfeeding mother, or child under 5. Check Alabama WIC income eligibility.
211: Dial 211 for referrals to local food, utility, housing, and other assistance programs across Alabama.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is LIHEAP in Alabama?
LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) is a federally funded program that helps low-income Alabama households pay heating and cooling bills. In Alabama, it is administered by ADECA through local community action agencies. Eligible households can receive one heating payment and one cooling payment per program year, plus crisis assistance if needed.
What are the income limits for Alabama LIHEAP?
Your household gross monthly income must be at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level. For a household of 4, that is approximately $4,025 per month or $48,300 per year. There is no asset limit — savings accounts and vehicles are not counted.
How do I apply for LIHEAP in Alabama?
You apply through your local community action agency — not through ADECA’s state office. Call 1-800-392-8098 to find your county’s agency, or dial 211. Bring your photo ID, Social Security cards for all household members, proof of last month’s income, and your most recent utility bill.
How much is Alabama LIHEAP worth?
Regular heating assistance ranges from $280 to $580. Regular cooling assistance ranges from $320 to $520. Crisis heating assistance is up to $1,100 and crisis cooling is up to $990. The exact amount depends on your household income, size, and fuel type.
When can I apply for Alabama LIHEAP?
Heating assistance runs October 1 through April 30. Cooling assistance runs May 1 through September 30. There is no single statewide application opening date — each community action agency announces its own intake schedule. Apply as early as possible since funding is limited and first-come, first-served.
Does LIHEAP affect SNAP or other benefits?
No — receiving LIHEAP does not count against your income for SNAP or other programs, and does not affect your eligibility for other assistance programs.
Is there a crisis program if my power is about to be shut off?
Yes — Alabama LIHEAP includes a crisis assistance component for both heating and cooling seasons. If you have a shutoff notice, contact your local community action agency immediately and explain the urgency. Crisis assistance can sometimes be expedited within 48 hours.
For the official Alabama LIHEAP program and to find your local agency, visit adeca.alabama.gov/liheap. Income limits and benefit amounts may be updated when new federal poverty guidelines are released — confirm current figures with your local agency.