New Hampshire calls its LIHEAP program “Fuel Assistance Program (FAP)” — administered by the New Hampshire Department of Energy (NH DOE) through five locally based Community Action Agencies (CAAs) statewide. The NH DOE is unique in this series for being an energy department (not health and human services) that administers LIHEAP. New Hampshire also offers the Electric Assistance Program (EAP) — a separate but complementary program providing ongoing electric bill discounts of 5% to 86% to income-eligible customers of Eversource, Liberty Utilities, NH Electric Cooperative, and Unitil.
New Hampshire has one of the most notable local government backstops in this series: an 1840s statute requiring every town and city in the state to provide emergency welfare services to the poor, funded by local property taxes — including utility payments.
What Does New Hampshire Fuel Assistance Cover?
Fuel Assistance (FAP / LIHEAP) — a one-time benefit per heating season paid directly to your energy vendor or landlord (if heat is included in rent). Benefit range: $100 minimum to $2,177 maximum. Benefits are calculated based on household income, housing type, and regional energy costs. Program period: year-round (though concentrated in the November–April heating season, when CAAs begin making vendor payments after receiving the LIHEAP grant generally by December 1).
Covers all heating fuels: natural gas, electricity, heating oil, propane, kerosene, wood, wood pellets, and other fuels.
Winter Crisis Assistance — emergency help during a heating emergency. Maximum: $2,177 (same cap as regular heating). Available December 1 through April 30. Crisis situations include:
- Deliverable fuel at ¼ tank or less oil/kerosene, 20% or less propane, or less than a week’s wood supply
- Out of oil, kerosene, propane, wood, or pellets entirely (life-threatening crisis — expedited)
- Heating system non-functioning, unsafe, or inoperable
- Eviction notice for heat-in-rent households
Electric Assistance Program (EAP) — a complementary program with ongoing monthly electric bill discounts:
- Discount range: 5% to 86% of the first 750 kWh of residential monthly service
- Available to customers of Eversource, Liberty Utilities, New Hampshire Electric Cooperative (NHEC), and Unitil
- Income limit: same 60% SMI as Fuel Assistance (higher guidelines may apply if additional funding is available)
- Effective for one year after enrollment; must re-certify annually
- Households may receive both Fuel Assistance and Electric Assistance simultaneously
- Apply through your local CAA alongside your Fuel Assistance application
Weatherization Assistance — free home energy efficiency upgrades. Maximum: $20,000 — among the highest weatherization caps in this series (alongside Massachusetts at $18,500). Coordinated with the Fuel Assistance program through NH DOE and local CAAs. Year-round.
Neighbor Helping Neighbor Fund — most of New Hampshire’s regulated utilities participate in a statewide fund administered through community action agencies. Provides last-resort utility bill assistance when public programs are exhausted. Apply through your local CAA.
New Hampshire Fuel Assistance Income Limits 2026
New Hampshire uses 60% of State Median Income (SMI) for Fuel Assistance, Electric Assistance, and Weatherization. The official income eligibility guidelines from the NH Department of Energy (updated March 12, 2025) are:
| Household Size | Annual Gross Income Limit (60% NH SMI) | Monthly Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $47,604 | $3,967 |
| 2 | $62,252 | $5,188 |
| 3 | $76,900 | $6,408 |
| 4 | $91,548 | $7,629 |
| 5 | $106,195 | $8,850 |
| 6 | $120,843 | $10,070 |
| 7 | $123,589 | $10,299 |
| 8 | $126,336 | $10,528 |
Source: NH Department of Energy official eligibility page, updated March 12, 2025. For households of 9 or more, contact your local CAA. Note: guidelines may increase during the program year if additional funding becomes available.
For a national comparison of LIHEAP income thresholds, see the LIHEAP eligibility guide.
New Hampshire’s 60% SMI thresholds are among the highest income limits in the country for LIHEAP — for a family of 4, the annual limit of $91,548 ($7,629/month) is substantially more generous than the 150% FPL standard used by most states.
No asset limit: New Hampshire Fuel Assistance has no asset test.
“Apply even if you think you’re over the income limit”: CAPs explicitly note that applicants may calculate their income differently from how the program calculates it — deductions and other factors may bring countable income below the threshold. If you are close to the guidelines, apply and let the CAA make the eligibility determination.
Categorical eligibility: Households receiving SNAP, SSI, or FANF (Financial Assistance to Needy Families — New Hampshire’s TANF program) may automatically meet income requirements.
New Hampshire’s 1840s Town Welfare Statute
New Hampshire has a colonial-era safety net that no other state in this series has: an 1840s statute requires every town and city in the state to provide emergency welfare services to the poor, funded by local property taxes. Services typically include utility payments (directly to landlords and utilities), food and clothing vouchers, and other emergency support. Contact your local town or city welfare office if you need emergency utility help that public programs cannot cover.
Priority Households and Application Schedule
New Hampshire’s priority household system is similar to other states but uses a specific age 62 threshold for elderly priority (different from most states’ age 60):
Priority households (apply July 1):
- Households with children under age 6
- Households with elderly members (age 62 or older — New Hampshire uses 62, not 60)
- Households with disabled members
- Households heating with wood or wood pellets
All other households: May call for an appointment beginning September 1 before the upcoming heating year.
Vendor payments begin: Generally by December 1 after the LIHEAP grant is received.
Subsidized housing note: If you live in a Section 8 unit or subsidized housing where heat is included in the rent, you may not be eligible. Inform your CAA about your housing situation in the first phone call.
Who Qualifies for New Hampshire Fuel Assistance
To be eligible for Fuel Assistance:
- New Hampshire residency as primary dwelling (owned or rented)
- Income at or below 60% NH SMI (see table above)
- Responsibility for heating costs — you pay for heat directly OR heat is included in rent (benefit goes to landlord in that case)
- Minimum heating cost responsibility of $100 or more
Subsidized housing ineligible: Households in Section 8 or other subsidized housing with heat included in rent are typically not eligible.
Weatherization coordination: NH DOE administers both Fuel Assistance and Weatherization, and the programs share eligible households — applying for one screens you for the other.
How to Apply for New Hampshire Fuel Assistance
Step 1 — Contact Your Local Community Action Agency
New Hampshire’s Fuel Assistance is delivered through five CAAs covering the state. Find your agency by region:
- CAPHR (Community Action Partnership of Strafford County) — Strafford County
- Tri-County Community Action Program (TCCAP) — Coös, Carroll, Grafton Counties
- CAPBM (Community Action Program Belknap-Merrimack) — Belknap, Merrimack Counties
- CATCH Neighborhood Housing — Manchester and surrounding area
- Southern NH Services — Hillsborough and Rockingham Counties
Find your specific agency at energy.nh.gov or by calling your local CAA. For general process guidance, see how to apply for LIHEAP. New Hampshire’s contacts are in the LIHEAP phone number directory.
CAA office hours: Fuel Assistance offices are open year-round, Monday–Friday 8:30 AM–4:30 PM.
Step 2 — New vs. Returning Applicants
Returning applicants: If you received Fuel Assistance the previous year, you will receive a mail-in application packet with instructions. If you did not receive a packet, contact your local CAA.
New applicants: Contact the CAA closest to you to schedule an in-person appointment.
Step 3 — Required Documents
- Photo ID for the applicant
- Social Security numbers for all household members
- Proof of gross income for all household members — pay stubs, SNAP/SSI/FANF benefit letters, Social Security benefit statements, self-employment records
- Most recent heating fuel bill or fuel delivery receipt
- Lease or rental agreement (if heat is included in rent)
- For crisis applications: documentation of your fuel level or heating emergency situation
Step 4 — Electric Assistance Enrollment
If you receive Electric Assistance, the 5–86% discount is effective for one year and requires annual recertification. Apply at the same CAA appointment as your Fuel Assistance application. Contact your electric utility (Eversource, Liberty, NHEC, or Unitil) to confirm enrollment after CAA approval.
To follow up on a submitted application, contact your local CAA or see how to track your LIHEAP application status.
New Hampshire Fuel Assistance Funding 2026
New Hampshire received federal LIHEAP funding for FY 2026 — confirm the exact amount at energy.nh.gov. In FY 2024, New Hampshire served 28,356 heating households, 1,068 winter crisis households, and 335 weatherization projects. Browse LIHEAP funding by state to compare New Hampshire with other states.
Additional Resources for New Hampshire Families
New Hampshire SNAP: Check New Hampshire SNAP income limits and see how to apply for SNAP in New Hampshire.
New Hampshire Medicaid: Check New Hampshire Medicaid eligibility and income limits.
WIC: For families with a pregnant woman, breastfeeding mother, or child under 5. Check New Hampshire WIC income eligibility.
211: Dial 211 or visit nh211.org for referrals to local energy assistance, food, housing, and other programs across New Hampshire.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is New Hampshire’s Fuel Assistance Program?
The Fuel Assistance Program (FAP) is New Hampshire’s LIHEAP program, administered by the NH Department of Energy through five Community Action Agencies. It provides one-time heating bill benefits of $100–$2,177 and can help with heating emergencies through the Winter Crisis program.
What are the income limits for New Hampshire Fuel Assistance?
60% of State Median Income — $91,548/year ($7,629/month) for a family of 4. The guidelines may increase during the program year if additional funding is available. There is no asset test. Apply even if you think you’re close to the limit — let the CAA calculate.
What is the Electric Assistance Program?
EAP provides monthly electric bill discounts of 5–86% to customers of Eversource, Liberty, NHEC, and Unitil who qualify under the same 60% SMI income guidelines as Fuel Assistance. Effective for one year; must recertify annually. Apply at the same CAA appointment.
What is the Neighbor Helping Neighbor Fund?
A utility-funded last-resort program administered through CAAs when public programs are exhausted. Most NH regulated utilities participate.
What is the 1840s town welfare statute?
New Hampshire has a statute requiring every town and city to provide emergency welfare services — including utility payments — to residents in need, funded by local property taxes. Contact your town or city welfare office for emergency help when other programs are exhausted.
What is FANF?
FANF (Financial Assistance to Needy Families) is New Hampshire’s TANF/cash assistance program. FANF households may automatically qualify for Fuel Assistance. This is New Hampshire’s unique TANF brand name — most states use different names.
For current New Hampshire Fuel Assistance information, visit energy.nh.gov or contact your local Community Action Agency. The 2025–2026 program year guidelines were updated March 12, 2025.