LIHEAP Maine: HEAP Help for Heating Costs and Fuel Emergencies

In Maine, LIHEAP is commonly known as the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). MaineHousing administers the program with local Community Action Agencies, helping qualified homeowners and renters with heating costs, emergency fuel needs, and certain related energy expenses.

HEAP can help households using heating oil, propane, natural gas, electricity, kerosene, wood, wood pellets, biobricks, coal, corn, and other qualifying heating sources. The benefit is intended to reduce heating costs rather than cover every household energy expense for the season.

97 Options is an independent energy comparison and educational service. It is not a government agency and does not administer LIHEAP, HEAP, or Maine public-assistance programs.

In Maine, LIHEAP Is Better Known as HEAP

A Maine resident searching for LIHEAP Maine will often find official assistance information under the name HEAP instead.

The two terms are closely connected. LIHEAP is the federal program that provides home-energy assistance funding, while Maine delivers that assistance through its Home Energy Assistance Program.

Households looking for eligibility rules, fuel assistance, application information, or emergency heating support can review the official MaineHousing HEAP program information before beginning the application process.

Your Heating Source Does Not Have to Be Oil

Heating oil is common in Maine, but HEAP is not limited to oil-heated homes.

Current program guidance includes households using:

• Heating oil

• Propane

• Natural gas

• Electricity

• Kerosene

• Wood

• Wood pellets

• Biobricks

• Coal

• Corn

This matters because someone using electric heat or propane may assume that “fuel assistance” only applies to delivered heating oil. Maine HEAP covers a broader range of qualifying residential heating sources.

Could Your Household Meet the 2026–27 HEAP Income Limits?

Income eligibility changes according to household size. The current Maine HEAP income guidelines list the following maximum gross household income amounts for the 2026–27 season.

Last reviewed: October 2026

Households with more than 10 people should contact their local Community Action Agency to confirm the applicable current income limit.

Slightly Over the Limit? Medical Expenses May Still Matter

Maine has an eligibility detail that households close to the income threshold should know about.

Maine Housing states that some households whose income is above the normal HEAP limit may be able to deduct part of eligible paid medical expenses when eligibility is calculated.

This does not mean every household above the published limit will qualify. However, someone close to the threshold should not automatically rule out HEAP before speaking with the agency handling the application.

Maine Opens HEAP Applications Before the Coldest Months

Residents do not need to wait until winter becomes severe before applying for heating assistance.

For the current 2026–27 season:

• August 3, 2026: HEAP applications began

• May 29, 2027: Current final application date, unless available funds are exhausted earlier

• November 1, 2026: ECIP crisis season begins

• April 30, 2027: ECIP crisis season ends

Applying earlier can give households more time to deal with missing paperwork, income verification, or an agency appointment before heating needs become urgent.

What Should You Have Ready Before Applying?

Completing a HEAP application requires more than basic contact information.

Depending on household circumstances, applicants may be asked for:

• Names and dates of birth for household members

• Social Security information where required

• Proof of citizenship

• Proof of gross household income

• Pay stubs, W-2s, 1099s, or tax documents where applicable

• Unemployment, pension, Social Security, or disability income information

• Recent complete energy and utility bills

• Information about the fuel used to heat the home

Missing required information can delay the application or prevent it from being completed.

Residents who need local help can use the Maine HEAP agency contact directory to identify the Community Action Agency serving their area.

HEAP applications can also be started online, while phone and in-person assistance is available through participating local agencies.

Where Does the HEAP Benefit Go?

A HEAP benefit is generally not the same as receiving unrestricted cash.

After an application has been reviewed and the household's benefit determined, the payment is typically applied through the household's heating or fuel provider, depending on the arrangement.

The amount is not identical for every approved household.

Factors that can affect assistance include:

• Household size

• Household income

• Heating costs

• Energy circumstances

• Available funding

For that reason, an older maximum-benefit figure found elsewhere online should not be treated as the amount every approved Maine household will receive during the 2026–27 season.

Running Low on Heating Fuel? ECIP Is for Emergencies

Regular HEAP assistance and an immediate heating crisis are different situations.

Maine's Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) is designed for qualifying HEAP households facing an urgent heating problem.

For the 2026–27 season, ECIP operates from November 1, 2026 through April 30, 2027.

An emergency may involve extremely low heating-oil or propane levels, another fuel supply that is nearly exhausted, loss of heat, or another qualifying heating crisis.

Current state consumer guidance says eligible households may receive up to $800 in emergency assistance through ECIP, depending on eligibility and the circumstances.

A household that is nearly out of fuel should contact its Community Action Agency promptly instead of waiting until the heating supply is completely gone.

HEAP May Also Connect You With Electric-Bill Help

Heating assistance is only one part of Maine's support system.

The Low-Income Assistance Program (LIAP) helps qualifying households manage electricity costs. Maine changed the program beginning in October 2026, and eligibility can now be connected with HEAP or certain qualifying DHHS means-tested programs.

The Maine PUC energy-assistance programs explain current LIAP, ECIP, utility discounts, and related assistance for households having difficulty with energy costs.

For eligible Central Maine Power (CMP) and Versant Power customers, LIAP support may appear through monthly discounts or credits. Consumer-owned utilities may use a different benefit structure.

Behind on Your Electric Bill?

HEAP may address heating costs, but a large past-due electric balance can require a different type of assistance.

Central Maine Power and Versant Power operate Arrearage Management Programs (AMP) for certain qualifying low-income customers.

These programs are designed to help reduce eligible overdue balances over time while participating customers continue meeting required current-payment obligations.

Someone dealing with both heating expenses and an overdue electricity balance should ask whether HEAP, LIAP, AMP, or another utility program applies to their situation.

Some Natural Gas Customers Can Receive Additional Help

Certain qualifying Maine natural-gas customers may have access to another form of bill relief.

Eligible residential customers of Unitil/Northern Utilities, Bangor Gas, and Maine Natural Gas who meet applicable LIHEAP requirements may receive a 30% discount on delivery and gas supply rates during the qualifying enrollment period.

This assistance is separate from the regular HEAP heating benefit.

What If the Problem Is Your Heating System?

A household can have heating fuel available and still be without heat because the furnace or central heating system has failed.

Maine's Central Heating Improvement Program (CHIP) can help qualifying low-income households with certain central heating system repairs or replacements.

Priority may be given to households without working heat. Assistance can also be available in some qualifying rental situations.

Weatherization support may provide another long-term option by addressing energy loss through improvements such as insulation, air sealing, heating efficiency, or other home-energy measures.

These programs serve a different purpose from the regular HEAP fuel benefit but can help households reduce future heating problems and energy costs.

Compare Maine Electricity Supply Options Carefully

Public energy assistance and electricity-plan comparison are separate services.

HEAP, ECIP, LIAP, and other public-assistance programs should always be handled through the appropriate Maine agencies.

Separately, some Maine electricity customers can receive electricity supply through the Standard Offer or select a competitive electricity supplier. Before changing suppliers, consumers should review rates, contract length, variable-rate provisions, and other terms.

The Maine Office of Public Advocate provides information about electricity supply choices and the Standard Offer so residents can understand the difference before comparing available plans.

Enter your ZIP code below to review available energy-plan options through 97 Options.

The 97 Options ZIP tool does not search for LIHEAP benefits, determine HEAP eligibility, or process Maine energy-assistance applications.

Understand Your Existing Energy Bill With Maya

Before comparing energy options, it can help to understand what is already appearing on the current bill.

Maya by 97 Options can help users review bill information such as:

• Energy usage

• Current supply rate

• Supplier information

• Supply charges

• Other bill charges

• Overall energy costs

This gives households a clearer picture of their existing energy costs before considering other options.

Maya is a bill-analysis tool. It does not determine eligibility for LIHEAP, HEAP, LIAP, ECIP, or other public-assistance programs.

Maine Energy Assistance Resources

These programs operate separately from 97 Options. Eligibility decisions, benefit amounts, and public-assistance applications are handled by the appropriate program or administering agency.

Important Disclaimer

97 Options is an independent energy comparison service and is not a government agency or affiliated with LIHEAP, HEAP, MaineHousing, or Maine public-assistance programs. We do not determine eligibility or process assistance applications. Program rules, funding, dates, and benefits may change, so applicants should confirm current information through official Maine resources.