Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

One-Time Bill Payment and Energy Savings Upgrades

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded assistance program that provides:

  • a one-time payment of 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

Who’s Eligible

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 households with more than 10 people, add $166.32 for each additional person

You must meet the income requirements in the income table. Households who 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

Apply for LIHEAP

The LIHEAP application process is slightly different in each county. Click on your county tab below to learn how to apply in your area.

Contra Costa County: Not accepting applications

Contra Costa County’s LIHEAP budget is fully committed for 2024. Learn about other ways to reduce your monthly energy bill and get caught up on late payments. For more information, call the Contra Costa County Home Energy & Water Assistance Program at (925) 267-6624.

How to apply in Marin County

  1. Meet the income requirements in the table above
  2. 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. (For example, 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 (For example, a 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
  3. 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.

  1. Meet the income requirements in the table above
  2. Collect the following documents:
    • Household income for the past 30 days
    • Most recent PG&E bills for the past 30 days
    • Household member information
  3. Call North Coast Energy Services (NCES) at (800) 233-4480 to be pre-screened by an eligibility operator. NCES is the LIHEAP 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. 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
    • Or apply directly through the California Online LIHEAP Application
 

For more information, visit nces.org or call (800) 233-4480.

Frequently Asked Questions

The maximum payment for qualifying households is $3,000 per program year for Marin and Contra Costa Counties and $1,000 for Napa and Solano Counties. The amount of assistance you receive is based on the number of people in the household, total gross household income, cost of energy within the county the household resides in, funding availability, and the amount owed on the utility bill. LIHEAP provides one payment per program year.

No, you won’t need to pay back any assistance you receive through LIHEAP. LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps income-qualified households pay their energy bill.

No, LIHEAP has no impact on your credit score.

Yes, you can (and are encouraged to) apply for LIHEAP if you’re unemployed.

If your LIHEAP application is approved, payment will be made directly to the utility company on your behalf. The amount of time for payment to be processed varies by county.

Persons living in board-and-care facilities, nursing or convalescent homes, or in jail or prison are not eligible for LIHEAP.

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