About LIHEAP
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded assistance program that provides:
- a one-time payment up to $3,000 per year to help pay your energy bills, and
free energy efficient upgrades and energy-related home repairs to help lower your energy bills
Eligibility
You must meet the income requirements in the income table. Households that meet both income requirements and are in the State of California’s following high-priority groups will be served first:
- Households with the lowest income
- Households with the greatest energy burden (percentage of income spent on utilities)
- Households with children under age five
- Adults 65 and older
- People with disabilities
| Size of Household | Monthly Income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $2,882.83 |
| 2 | $3,769.83 |
| 3 | $4,656.83 |
| 4 | $5,543.92 |
| 5 | $6,430.92 |
| 6 | $7,317.92 |
| 7 | $7,484.25 |
| 8 | $7,650.58 |
| 9 | $7,816.92 |
| 10* | $7,983.17 |
* For families/households with more than 10 persons, add $166.32 for each additional person.
Apply for LIHEAP
The LIHEAP application process is slightly different in each county. Click on your county button below to learn how to apply in your area.
How to Apply in Contra Costa County
- Must meet the income requirements in the table above.
- Collect the following documents:
- Government Identification
- Copy of Birth Certificate or Green Card
- Copy of current PG&E bill and past due notice, if received
- Copies of the total Gross Monthly Income for all household members 18 years and older. Income must be current to within 6 weeks from the intake date and should cover a one-month period (for example, if you get paid once a week, send in 4 check stubs).
- Print and complete the English or Spanish application packet at ehsd.org/headstart/energy-assistance
- Mail or drop off your completed application at:
Contra Costa County Home Energy Assistance Program
1470 Civic Court, Suite 200
Concord, CA 94520
It takes approximately six weeks to process an application. Payments are made directly to your energy provider.
For more information, call the Contra Costa County Home Energy & Water Assistance Program at (925) 267-6624.
How to Apply in Marin County
- Must meet the income requirements in the table above.
- Collect the following documents:
- Recent copies of your PG&E bill. (Must include all pages and show 30 billing days.)
- Final Utility Termination Notice (if you’ve received a 14-day, 48-hour, or shutoff notice from PG&E).
- Recent pay stubs or other proof of income that shows your current monthly gross income for 30 consecutive days.
- Documentation showing income from Social Security, Cal Fresh, Unemployment Insurance, Pension Funds, disability, etc. (Examples: Notice of Action, Passport to Services, most recent bank statement showing direct deposit, copy of current check, dated annual benefit letter, payee letter showing income amount, Form 4926, Form 2458, HUD statement with a SS amount.)
- Other income sources such as self-employment, child support, odd jobs requirements (current copy of ledger/journal, or a signed self-employment statement showing monthly gross income).
- For households with zero income, a self-declaration of zero income attestation form will be requested. Please speak to an intake specialist to request a copy of this form.
- For wood or propane assistance, a recent invoice is required (the invoice must match the address listed on your application).
- The LIHEAP Marin application period runs until August 15, 2024, or until funds run out.
- Call an intake specialist at Community Action Marin (CAM) at (415) 526-7550. CAM is the LIHEAP administrator for Marin residents.
- Eligible applicants may also apply directly through the California Online LIHEAP Application.
- Eligible West Marin residents can also apply at the West Marin Community Resource Center by calling (415) 663-8361.
Once an application is complete, you will be notified about approval or denial within 30 days. All payments are made directly to your energy provider within 45 days after approval of an application.
For more information, visit Community Action Marin.
How to Apply in Napa County & Solano County
The maximum one-time payment available is up to $1,000 per year.
- Must meet the income requirements in the table above.
- Collect the following documents:
- Household income for the past 30 days
- Most recent PG&E bills for the past 30 days
- Household member information
- Call North Coast Energy Services (NCES) at 1 (800) 233-4480 to be pre-screened by an eligibility operator. NCES is the HEAP administrator for Napa and Solano residents. Applications are available in both English and Spanish.If you are eligible:
- NCES will mail or fax an application to you
- Or, apply directly through the California Online LIHEAP Application. If you choose to have the form mailed to you, send your completed application to:
North Coast Energy Service
1100 Coddingtown Center, Suite 1
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
For more information, visit nces.org or call NCES at 1 (800) 233-4480.
LIHEAP FAQ
No, LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps income-qualified households pay their energy bill. You will not need to pay back any assistance you receive through LIHEAP.