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Utilities and phone

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) (LIHEAP) in Maine

Maine calls its LIHEAP the Home Energy Assistance Program, or HEAP.

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From the MaineHousing (Maine State Housing Authority), Energy Services
An older woman in a warm cardigan turns up the thermostat in her hallway

It helps homeowners and renters pay for heating fuel, and the Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) can send an emergency delivery if you are nearly out of fuel. MaineHousing runs it through local community action agencies, and applications for 2026–27 opened Aug. 3, 2026.

How to apply in Maine

In person
Call your local community action agency to apply by phone or set up an in-person appointment. MaineHousing's HEAP page has a zip code search to find your agency and a list of all HEAP agency contacts.

Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.

Apply on the official site

Who may qualify in Maine

Who may qualify for Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
Gross income limit, one person (2026–27 season)$38,070 a year ($3,173 a month) for one person
Gross income limit, two people (2026–27 season)$49,784 a year ($4,149 a month) for two people
If your income is over the limitYou may be able to deduct part of what you paid for eligible medical expenses
What to bringNames, birth dates, Social Security numbers and proof of citizenship for everyone in the home, and proof of gross income such as Social Security, pension, wages or disability payments. Ask your agency what else to bring.

Source: MaineHousing (source 1)

What you may get

What Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) pays
Heating benefit (FY 2026 state plan; 2026–27 amounts not posted)$88 to $1,012, based on household size, income and other household expenses
Crisis help (ECIP)For homes with an extremely low supply of heating fuel. Fill out a HEAP application first, then ask your agency about crisis help. The FY 2026 plan's maximum was $500.

Source: LIHEAP Clearinghouse (source 2)

Dates, renewals and waiting lists

Dates and renewals
HEAP applications, 2026–27 seasonAug. 3, 2026 until funds run out or May 29, 2027

Source: MaineHousing (source 1)

ECIP crisis applications, 2026–27 seasonNov. 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027

Source: MaineHousing (source 1)

Older adults (FY 2026 state plan)In the first 90 days, agencies make a good faith effort to serve homes that pay for their own heat and include someone 60 or older, a person with a disability or a child 6 or younger. Those homes also get extra points when the benefit is set.

Source: LIHEAP Clearinghouse (source 2)

How Maine is different

Where Maine's rules differ from the federal rules for LIHEAP heating and cooling help.

  • Homes with someone 60 or older are served first during the first 90 days and get extra points toward a larger benefit (FY 2026 plan)
  • Households over the income limit may deduct part of their medical expenses
  • HEAP eligibility opens the door to electric bill help from your utility, weatherization, and heating system repair or replacement (CHIP)

Sources: LIHEAP Clearinghouse (source 2), MaineHousing (source 1)

Good to know

  • Apply as early as possible. Some applicants also have an interview to help set eligibility and the benefit.
  • To report suspected errors or program abuse, call MaineHousing at 1-800-452-4668.

Source: MaineHousing (source 1)

Free help

Free help with this in Maine

More help in Maine

Help with heating and cooling bills in another state

Sources

  1. MaineHousing, Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
  2. LIHEAP Clearinghouse, Maine LIHEAP Plan, FY 2026 (copy posted by the LIHEAP Clearinghouse) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.

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