State Health Insurance Program (SHIP)
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in Vermont. Trained counselors go through your costs and choices with you, and they don't sell plans.
Utilities and phone
Seasonal Fuel Assistance (LIHEAP) in Vermont
Vermont's Seasonal Fuel Assistance pays part of your home heating bills for the winter, whether you own or rent and whether you pay for heat directly or in your rent.
The income limit is higher than in many states, 185% of the poverty level, and approved households can also get free weatherization. Crisis Fuel Assistance, through local Community Action Agencies, helps if you run out of fuel or face a shut-off in winter.
How to apply in Vermont
- By phone
- 1-800-479-6151
- In person
- Apply in person at your local DCF district office, or call to have a paper application mailed to you. If you got Fuel Assistance last season, the state mails you a review form instead.
Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.
Apply on the official siteWho may qualify in Vermont
| Gross monthly income limit, one person (2026–27) | $2,461 a month for one person (185% of the federal poverty level) |
|---|---|
| Gross monthly income limit, two people (2026–27) | $3,336 a month for two people (185% of the federal poverty level) |
| Crisis Fuel income limit, one person (2026–27) | $2,660 a month for one person (200% of the federal poverty level) |
| Who can apply | Owners and renters, whether you pay for heat directly or as part of your rent |
Source: Vermont Department for Children and Families (source 2)
What you may get
| Seasonal benefit | Pays a portion of your heating bills; how it's paid depends on your main fuel and how you pay for heat. No dollar range is published. |
|---|---|
| Crisis Fuel Assistance | Help buying your main heating fuel, paying electricity needed to run your heat, or working out a payment plan to stop a shut-off. Apply at your local Community Action Agency before you run out. |
| Emergency Heating System Program | Repairs or replaces a broken main heating system in winter, for incomes up to 200% of poverty. Applications Nov. 1 through April 29. |
Source: Vermont Department for Children and Families (source 1)
Dates, renewals and waiting lists
| Crisis Fuel Assistance application period | Last Monday in November to the second Friday in April for oil, propane, kerosene, wood, pellets and coal; to the last working day in April for gas and electric |
|---|---|
| After-hours help for older adults | On weekends and holidays, households with someone 60 or older, under 6, or getting federal disability who are out of fuel can call 1-866-331-7741 (8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.) |
Source: Vermont Department for Children and Families (source 3)
How Vermont is different
Where Vermont's rules differ from the federal rules for LIHEAP heating and cooling help.
- Income limit is 185% of the poverty level for seasonal help and 200% for crisis help, above the 150% many states use.
- Once you get Seasonal Fuel Assistance, you may also get free weatherization services.
- Weekend and holiday out-of-fuel help is limited to households with someone 60 or older, under 6, or on federal disability.
- Older or disabled people who can't go in person may apply for crisis help by phone.
Source: Vermont Department for Children and Families (source 2)
Good to know
- For a furnace that isn't working on a weekday evening, weekend or holiday, call 1-877-295-7998 (from the last Saturday in November to the first Sunday in April).
- Vermont also has state discount programs for Green Mountain Power and Vermont Gas customers with incomes up to 185% of poverty, including 25% off Green Mountain Power charges.
Source: Vermont Department for Children and Families (source 3)
Free help
Free help with this in Vermont
Adult Services Division
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in Vermont
Help with heating and cooling bills in another state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- 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
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- Vermont Department for Children and Families, Fuel Assistance (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Vermont Department for Children and Families, Income Guidelines for Vermont Fuel and Utility Programs (2026–2027) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Vermont Department for Children and Families, Crisis Fuel Assistance (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Vermont Department for Children and Families, Emergency Heating System Program (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Vermont Department for Children and Families, Energy Assistance (utility discount programs) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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