Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP)
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in California. Trained counselors go through your costs and choices with you, and they don't sell plans.
Utilities and phone
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in California
California's LIHEAP can make a one-time payment toward your heating or cooling bill, including wood, propane or oil, and gives faster crisis help if your utility is about to shut you off.
You apply through the local energy agency for your city or county, and homes with someone 60 or older get extra points that move them up the line and raise the benefit.
How to apply in California
- By phone
- 1-866-675-6623
- In person
- Apply through your local LIHEAP agency. On the CSD website, use Find Services in Your Area: enter your city or ZIP code, or use the map, and choose the Energy Bill Assistance and Weatherization provider for your area. CSD's call center can also answer questions about the program.
Who may qualify in California
| Monthly income limit, one person (the state's 2026 chart, the latest posted) | $3,331.66 a month for one person |
|---|---|
| Monthly income limit, two people (the state's 2026 chart) | $4,356.83 a month for two people |
| Income limit basis for 2026–27 (draft 2027 state plan) | 60% of state median income, for every household size |
| Who gets served first | Funding is limited, so local agencies serve the most vulnerable homes first. Some people who meet the income limit may not get a benefit. |
Source: California Department of Community Services and Development (source 2)
What you may get
| Heating help, estimated range (draft 2027 state plan) | $94 to $1,500. For wood, propane or oil, the most is $1,000, plus up to $500 more if the dealer needs it to deliver. |
|---|---|
| Cooling help, estimated range (draft 2027 state plan) | $246 to $887 |
| Crisis help, all year (Energy Crisis Intervention Program) | For a home with a 24- to 48-hour disconnect notice, service already shut off, or a dangerous energy problem such as an unsafe gas appliance. The draft 2027 plan sets the most at $1,500. |
Source: California Department of Community Services and Development (source 4)
Dates, renewals and waiting lists
| When you can apply (draft 2027 state plan) | All year: heating, cooling and crisis help run Oct. 1, 2026 to Sept. 30, 2027. Ask your local agency whether it has money left. |
|---|---|
| Priority for older adults (draft 2027 state plan) | No separate early sign-up. Local agencies score each household, and homes with someone 60 or older get extra points (more at 70 or older), which raises their place in line and their benefit. |
| Federal funding for 2026–27 | As of Oct. 9, 2026, California had received about $213.4 million in LIHEAP funding for federal fiscal year 2027. The state says funding is limited. |
Source: California Department of Community Services and Development (source 4)
How California is different
Where California's rules differ from the federal rules for LIHEAP heating and cooling help.
- Extra priority points for homes with someone 60 or older, and more for someone 70 or older
- Crisis help is offered all year, not just in winter
- LIHEAP weatherization is run by the same local agencies and gives free energy-saving repairs
Source: California Department of Community Services and Development (source 4)
Good to know
- CSD's 2026 income table says eligibility can also depend on your sources of income and other factors; the local agency makes the final decision.
- Utility discount programs such as CARE and FERA are separate from LIHEAP and are run through your utility company, not CSD.
Source: California Department of Community Services and Development (source 2)
Free help
Free help with this in California
California Department of Aging
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in California
Help with heating and cooling bills in another state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- California Department of Community Services and Development, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (updated October 2026) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- California Department of Community Services and Development, LIHEAP Income Eligibility (2026) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- California Department of Community Services and Development, Contact Us (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- California Department of Community Services and Development, Draft 2027 LIHEAP State Plan (released July 27, 2026) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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