How LIHEAP income limits work
A state’s LIHEAP income limit can be anything between 110% of the poverty guidelines and the federal maximum, which is the greater of 150% of poverty or 60% of the state’s median income.[1] Households where someone gets SNAP, SSI, TANF or certain needs-based veterans’ benefits can also be made eligible automatically.[1] HHS publishes the two tables each year; for the federal fiscal year that started October 1, 2026, states must use the 2026 poverty guidelines and the FY 2027 state median income estimates.[2]
| Household size | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 110% (lowest limit allowed) | $17,556 | $23,804 | $30,052 | $36,300 | $42,548 | $48,796 |
| 150% of poverty | $23,940 | $32,460 | $40,980 | $49,500 | $58,020 | $66,540 |
The median income side scales with household size: 52% of the four-person figure for one person, 68% for two, 84% for three, 100% for four, then up to 150% for twelve people.[2]
LIHEAP income limits by state
This table shows the federal maximum in each state for one and four people. In 51 of the 52 states and territories listed, 60% of median income is higher than 150% of poverty for a family of four, so it sets the ceiling.[3][4] Your state can use a lower limit, and many do.
| State | 1 person (year) | 4 people (year) | 4 people (month) | Larger of |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $31,941 | $61,426 | $5,119 | 60% SMI |
| Alaska | $43,444 | $83,547 | $6,962 | 60% SMI |
| Arizona | $35,238 | $67,767 | $5,647 | 60% SMI |
| Arkansas | $29,523 | $56,776 | $4,731 | 60% SMI |
| California | $41,502 | $79,812 | $6,651 | 60% SMI |
| Colorado | $45,295 | $87,106 | $7,259 | 60% SMI |
| Connecticut | $48,714 | $93,681 | $7,807 | 60% SMI |
| Delaware | $40,380 | $77,654 | $6,471 | 60% SMI |
| District of Columbia | $63,024 | $121,200 | $10,100 | 60% SMI |
| Florida | $33,733 | $64,873 | $5,406 | 60% SMI |
| Georgia | $35,916 | $69,070 | $5,756 | 60% SMI |
| Hawaii | $43,200 | $83,077 | $6,923 | 60% SMI |
| Idaho | $34,030 | $65,443 | $5,454 | 60% SMI |
| Illinois | $41,290 | $79,405 | $6,617 | 60% SMI |
| Indiana | $34,635 | $66,607 | $5,551 | 60% SMI |
| Iowa | $38,147 | $73,361 | $6,113 | 60% SMI |
| Kansas | $36,733 | $70,641 | $5,887 | 60% SMI |
| Kentucky | $32,489 | $62,479 | $5,207 | 60% SMI |
| Louisiana | $31,398 | $60,381 | $5,032 | 60% SMI |
| Maine | $38,070 | $73,213 | $6,101 | 60% SMI |
| Maryland | $49,354 | $94,912 | $7,909 | 60% SMI |
| Massachusetts | $53,585 | $103,049 | $8,587 | 60% SMI |
| Michigan | $37,372 | $71,871 | $5,989 | 60% SMI |
| Minnesota | $46,156 | $88,763 | $7,397 | 60% SMI |
| Mississippi | $28,087 | $54,015 | $4,501 | 60% SMI |
| Missouri | $35,298 | $67,882 | $5,657 | 60% SMI |
| Montana | $36,120 | $69,463 | $5,789 | 60% SMI |
| Nebraska | $38,015 | $73,106 | $6,092 | 60% SMI |
| Nevada | $32,768 | $63,016 | $5,251 | 60% SMI |
| New Hampshire | $48,713 | $93,680 | $7,807 | 60% SMI |
| New Jersey | $51,273 | $98,602 | $8,217 | 60% SMI |
| New Mexico | $28,854 | $55,489 | $4,624 | 60% SMI |
| New York | $42,759 | $82,230 | $6,853 | 60% SMI |
| North Carolina | $35,257 | $67,803 | $5,650 | 60% SMI |
| North Dakota | $41,356 | $79,532 | $6,628 | 60% SMI |
| Ohio | $36,756 | $70,686 | $5,891 | 60% SMI |
| Oklahoma | $30,116 | $57,916 | $4,826 | 60% SMI |
| Oregon | $40,326 | $77,550 | $6,463 | 60% SMI |
| Pennsylvania | $40,460 | $77,809 | $6,484 | 60% SMI |
| Puerto Rico | $23,940 | $49,500 | $4,125 | 150% FPL |
| Rhode Island | $43,410 | $83,481 | $6,957 | 60% SMI |
| South Carolina | $33,218 | $63,882 | $5,324 | 60% SMI |
| South Dakota | $36,816 | $70,801 | $5,900 | 60% SMI |
| Tennessee | $32,861 | $63,196 | $5,266 | 60% SMI |
| Texas | $35,018 | $67,343 | $5,612 | 60% SMI |
| Utah | $38,190 | $73,444 | $6,120 | 60% SMI |
| Vermont | $42,221 | $81,195 | $6,766 | 60% SMI |
| Virginia | $44,776 | $86,109 | $7,176 | 60% SMI |
| Washington | $45,806 | $88,089 | $7,341 | 60% SMI |
| West Virginia | $30,603 | $58,852 | $4,904 | 60% SMI |
| Wisconsin | $39,863 | $76,661 | $6,388 | 60% SMI |
| Wyoming | $35,858 | $68,959 | $5,747 | 60% SMI |
What some states actually use
State limits for the 2026–27 heating season vary a lot, even among neighbors:
- Pennsylvania uses 150% of poverty: $32,460 a year for two people and $49,500 for four, with applications open November 2, 2026 to April 23, 2027.[7]
- Colorado uses 60% of state median income: a gross monthly maximum of $7,258 for four people in the 2026–27 season.[8]
- Ohio uses 175% of poverty for households of one to seven people in its regular HEAP for 2026–27, and 60% of median income for larger ones.[10]
- Illinois serves customers of its large utilities up to 300% of poverty with state and utility money, while federally funded help stays within 60% of median income; Program Year 2027 applications run October 1, 2026 to August 13, 2027.[9]
LIHEAP and SNAP
LIHEAP can raise your SNAP benefit, but since the 2025 law only for households with an elderly or disabled member.[6][5] Those households automatically get the heating and cooling utility allowance when they receive a qualifying energy payment. Other households still get it if they actually pay heating or cooling costs.[5] The allowance then counts in the SNAP shelter deduction. Try it in the SNAP calculator or see the income limit for food stamps in each state.
Apply for LIHEAP through your state or local energy assistance office, usually a community action agency. Funding is limited, so many states open applications in the fall and close when money runs out. SNAP by State is independent and cannot take applications.
State pages with utility allowance details: PA food stamp income limit, food stamps in Ohio and food stamps in Massachusetts.
Frequently asked questions
What is the income limit for LIHEAP?
It depends on the state. Federal law lets states go up to the greater of 150% of poverty ($49,500 a year for four people from October 2026) or 60% of state median income, and no lower than 110% of poverty.
Is LIHEAP based on gross or net income?
The federal law does not define income, and HHS says states generally use gross income. Check your state’s LIHEAP rules for what counts.
Do I automatically qualify for LIHEAP if I get SNAP?
States may treat households receiving SNAP, SSI, TANF or certain veterans’ benefits as income-eligible, but you still need to apply and funds can run out.
Does LIHEAP affect my food stamps?
It can increase them if your household has an elderly or disabled member, because a qualifying energy payment gives you the full utility allowance in the SNAP shelter deduction.
Sources
- 42 U.S.C. 8624(b)(2): LIHEAP income eligibility (greater of 150% of poverty or 60% of state median income; 110% floor)
- LIHEAP-IM-2026-01: Federal Poverty Guidelines and State Median Income estimates for FY 2027
- LIHEAP FY 2027 state median income table (Attachment 4)
- LIHEAP 2026 poverty guideline tables (Attachment 2)
- SNAP Implementation of the OBBB Act of 2025: Treatment of Energy Assistance Payments
- Public Law 119-21 (H.R. 1), Title I, Subtitle A: Nutrition (SNAP), §§ 10101–10108, 139 Stat. 80–85
- Apply for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) and 2026–27 income table
- Utility bill assistance: how to apply (LIHEAP Program Year 2027)
- Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) fact sheet