Skip to main content
Free helpMedicare help (SHIP)1-877-839-2675Eldercare Locator1-800-677-1116
Text size
Menu
Text size

Utilities and phone

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in Washington

Washington's Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) gives a one-time grant, paid to your energy company, to help with heating and now cooling costs.

Checked

From the Washington State Department of Commerce, Community Services and Housing Division
An older woman in a warm cardigan turns up the thermostat in her hallway

It can also help repair or replace an unsafe or broken heating or cooling system. You apply by making an appointment with the community action agency for your county, once per program year (Oct. 1 to Sept. 30).

How to apply in Washington

In person
Schedule an appointment with the LIHEAP provider for your county, usually a community action agency. Commerce's LIHEAP public map tool shows each county's provider and how to book an appointment. Each agency has its own scheduling process.

Who may qualify in Washington

Who may qualify for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Income limit, one person (PY27 guidelines, Oct. 1, 2026 to Sept. 30, 2027)$1,995 a month ($23,940 a year) for one person (150% of the federal poverty level)
Income limit, two people (PY27 guidelines)$2,705 a month ($32,460 a year) for two people (150% of the federal poverty level)
Who pays the billYour household pays for home heating, either directly to an energy company or through rent
How oftenYour household can't have had a LIHEAP grant already in the current program year

Source: Washington State Department of Commerce (source 2)

What you may get

What Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) pays
How the grant is setOne-time grant based on household size, income and yearly heating cost, paid to the utility. Commerce doesn't publish a dollar range; your provider tells you the amount.
Help with shut-offs and broken systemsLIHEAP aims to help households avoid disconnection, and may repair or replace an unsafe or broken heating or cooling system

Source: Washington State Department of Commerce (source 1)

Dates, renewals and waiting lists

Dates and renewals
Program yearOct. 1 to Sept. 30; apply once per program year by appointment with your local provider
Cooling helpCommerce says LIHEAP now includes cooling services; no separate cooling season is listed

Source: Washington State Department of Commerce (source 1)

How Washington is different

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

  • The State Home Energy Assistance Program (SHEAP), started in fall 2024, adds state-funded bill help and heat pump or system replacement for households up to 80% of area median income.
  • Many Washington utilities run their own discount and assistance programs, often through the same local agencies.

Source: Washington State Department of Commerce (source 3)

Good to know

  • LIHEAP pays any fuel type: electric, gas, propane, oil, coal and wood.

Source: Washington State Department of Commerce (source 1)

Free help

Free help with this in Washington

More help in Washington

Help with heating and cooling bills in another state

Sources

  1. Washington State Department of Commerce, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
  2. Washington State Department of Commerce, PY27 LIHEAP Eligibility Guidelines (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
  3. Washington State Department of Commerce, State Home Energy Assistance Program (SHEAP) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.

Was this page helpful?

Report an error on this page

Tell us which figure or sentence, and where you saw the right one if you can.

Only if you want a reply. We won't add you to any list.