Georgia State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
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Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in Georgia
Georgia's LIHEAP helps pay heating bills in winter and cooling bills in summer, with crisis help if you face a shut-off within seven days.
People 65 and older and the medically homebound can apply a month before everyone else: heating sign-up starts the first workday of December for them and January for others. You apply by appointment with the community action agency for your county; there is no online application.
How to apply in Georgia
- In person
- Call the community action agency that serves the county where you live to set up an intake appointment; you can't apply in another county. DFCS posts a LIHEAP provider map on its LIHEAP page, and the agencies are also listed at georgiacaa.org. There is no online application.
Who may qualify in Georgia
| Income limit (FY 2027 draft state plan; dollar amounts not posted on the state site) | Total gross yearly household income at or below 60% of Georgia's state median income |
|---|---|
| Who pays the bill | You must be fully responsible for paying the energy bill for your main heating source. You can't get LIHEAP if your energy bill has a credit of $1,000 or more. |
| What to bring | Photo ID, Social Security cards for everyone in the home, proof of income for the past 30 days, and your current electric and heating bills. Check with your agency for its full list. |
Source: Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (source 1)
What you may get
| Heating benefit (FY 2027 draft state plan) | $400 to $810, based on household size, income and whether a senior lives in the home |
|---|---|
| Cooling benefit (FY 2027 draft state plan) | $400 to $500 |
| Crisis help (FY 2027 draft state plan) | Up to $810 in winter and $500 in summer, for homes facing disconnection within seven days or needing service restored. In each season you get either the regular benefit or a crisis benefit, not both. |
Source: Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (source 3)
Dates, renewals and waiting lists
| Heating sign-up, winter 2026–27 | First workday of December for people 65 and older and the medically homebound; first workday of January for everyone else |
|---|---|
| Cooling sign-up, summer 2027 | First workday of April for people 65 and older and the medically homebound; first workday of May for everyone else |
| Program dates in the draft FY 2027 state plan | Heating help Dec. 1, 2026 to July 31, 2027; cooling help April 1 to July 31, 2027, while funds last |
| Early sign-up for older adults | People 65 and older and the medically homebound may apply during the first 30 days of each heating and cooling season, before everyone else |
Source: Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (source 1)
How Georgia is different
Where Georgia's rules differ from the federal rules for LIHEAP heating and cooling help.
- People 65 and older and the medically homebound get the first 30 days of each season to apply
- Having a senior in the home is one of the things that sets the benefit amount
- Households with a credit of $1,000 or more on their energy bill can't get LIHEAP
Source: Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (source 3)
Good to know
- Agencies serve people first come, first served, and funding can run out, so apply early. Keep paying your bill while your application is processed.
- You can get one heating benefit and one cooling benefit in a program year.
Source: Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (source 1)
Free help
Free help with this in Georgia
Division of Aging Services
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in Georgia
Help with heating and cooling bills in another state
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Sources
- Georgia Division of Family and Children Services, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Georgia Division of Family and Children Services, LIHEAP Heating Frequently Asked Questions (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Georgia Division of Family and Children Services, FFY 2027 LIHEAP State Plan (draft) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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