Residents who meet program requirements may be able to receive help through the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). In New Hampshire, LIHEAP is commonly known as the Fuel Assistance Program (FAP). It focuses mainly on home heating expenses, while a separate Electric Assistance Program (EAP) helps eligible households reduce monthly electricity costs.
Applications are handled locally through Community Action Agencies rather than through a single statewide benefits office.
This independent guide from 97 Options explains how Fuel Assistance works in New Hampshire, who may qualify, current 2026–27 income guidelines, application timing, electric bill assistance, emergency heating support, and other ways households may be able to manage their energy costs.
97 Options is an independent energy comparison and educational service. It is not a government agency and does not administer LIHEAP, FAP, EAP, or approve public assistance benefits.
Why LIHEAP Is Called Fuel Assistance in New Hampshire
People searching for LIHEAP New Hampshire may notice that state and local organizations often use the name “Fuel Assistance Program” instead.
The programs are directly connected. Federal LIHEAP funding supports New Hampshire's Fuel Assistance Program, which helps qualifying households manage home heating expenses during the colder months.
Residents who want state-level program information can review the official New Hampshire Fuel Assistance Program.
Fuel Assistance is not limited to households that use one particular type of heating system. Depending on program rules and individual circumstances, eligible heating sources can include:
Heating oil
Propane
Kerosene
Natural gas
Electricity
Wood
Wood pellets
Other qualifying heating fuels
Assistance is generally applied toward eligible heating expenses rather than given to the household as unrestricted cash.
The goal is to make winter heating costs more manageable. It does not mean every approved household will have its entire heating bill paid.
Who May Qualify for LIHEAP New Hampshire Fuel Assistance?
Both homeowners and renters can potentially qualify for New Hampshire Fuel Assistance.
Eligibility is not limited to senior citizens, homeowners, or people already receiving another public benefit. Instead, Community Action Agencies review the household's overall circumstances.
Important factors can include:
Total household income
Number of people in the home
Housing situation
Heating costs
Primary heating source
Whether the applicant pays directly for heat
Whether heating costs are included in rent
Renters should pay particular attention to their housing arrangement.
A qualifying renter whose heat is included in non-subsidized rent may still be eligible for Fuel Assistance. In that situation, the benefit may be handled through the landlord.
Different rules can apply when heat is included in subsidized housing. A household that does not qualify for Fuel Assistance because heat is already included in subsidized rent may still have a reason to apply for the Electric Assistance Program.
This is why households should not decide that they are ineligible simply because their situation does not look like a typical homeowner's.
2026–27 LIHEAP New Hampshire Income Guidelines
Income is one of the main eligibility factors for Fuel and Electric Assistance.
For the 2026–27 program year, current New Hampshire Community Action guidance lists the following gross income limits:
Household Size | Maximum Monthly Gross Income | Maximum Annual Gross Income |
1 | $4,059 | $48,713 |
2 | $5,309 | $63,702 |
3 | $6,558 | $78,691 |
4 | $7,807 | $93,680 |
5 | $9,056 | $108,668 |
6 | $10,305 | $123,657 |
Households can review the latest 2026–27 Fuel and Electric Assistance income guidelines before applying.
Last reviewed: October 2026
These figures should be treated as program-year guidance rather than a self-approval test.
Household income calculations can depend on individual circumstances, and guidelines may change. A household that appears close to the limit may still benefit from contacting its local Community Action Agency and allowing the program to make the eligibility determination.
How Much Fuel Assistance Can You Receive?
There is no single Fuel Assistance amount that every approved household receives.
For the 2026–27 season, current New Hampshire Community Action program information lists Fuel Assistance benefits ranging from approximately $188 to $2,500 for qualifying households.
The actual benefit can depend on factors such as:
Household income
Number of household members
Heating costs
Type of heating fuel
Housing circumstances
Available program funding
The maximum amount should not be interpreted as the amount every approved household will receive.
A household with a lower income and heavier heating burden may receive a different benefit from another household of the same size.
How assistance is used can also differ according to the heating source. Homes using delivered fuels such as oil or propane do not necessarily follow exactly the same billing pattern as homes heated with electricity or natural gas.
Apply Before Winter Turns Into an Emergency
New Hampshire Fuel Assistance applications are handled through local Community Action Agencies.
There are five Community Action organizations serving different parts of the state. Residents can use the New Hampshire Community Action Agency information to identify the organization responsible for their area.
The application process begins before the coldest months arrive.
Priority households may have an opportunity to begin the process earlier. This can include households with:
A resident age 60 or older
A person with a qualifying disability
A child under age six
Households using deliverable fuels may also enter the application process before the general winter season.
The current Fuel Assistance program season opens on December 1, while April 30 is the final application date.
Local agencies may use slightly different intake schedules before the official heating season begins, so residents should check directly with the Community Action Agency serving their town or county.
Applying early can be useful because missing documents or additional verification may delay a final decision.
What Applicants Should Prepare
The Community Action Agency must verify the household information used to determine eligibility and benefit amounts.
Documents can vary depending on individual circumstances, but applicants may be asked to provide information related to:
Recent household income
Household members
Social Security information where required
New Hampshire residency
Rental or homeownership arrangements
Heating provider or fuel vendor
Electricity account information
Recent fuel or utility bills
A self-employed applicant, a renter whose heat is included in rent, or a household with unusual income circumstances may be asked for additional information.
Applicants should follow the document checklist provided by their own agency instead of assuming every household must submit the same paperwork.
Providing complete documentation from the beginning can help reduce unnecessary processing delays.
When the Electric Bill Is the Bigger Concern
Fuel Assistance is mainly focused on home heating costs. New Hampshire's Electric Assistance Program, or EAP, addresses a different problem.
EAP provides eligible electric customers with a percentage discount on their monthly electricity bills.
Current 2026–27 program guidance lists discount levels ranging from approximately 5% to 86%, depending on household income and family size.
This makes the program particularly relevant for households looking for:
Help paying an electric bill in New Hampshire
Low-income electricity assistance
Monthly utility bill discounts
Help managing high electric costs
Assistance before an electricity disconnection
A household may be able to apply for both Fuel Assistance and Electric Assistance through the same Community Action Agency.
The programs should not be treated as interchangeable.
Someone who does not qualify for Fuel Assistance may still qualify for EAP. A renter in subsidized housing whose heat is included in rent is one example where Electric Assistance may still be relevant even if Fuel Assistance is not available.
Running Low on Oil or Already Without Heat?
A household facing an immediate heating emergency should not simply wait for a normal application to work its way through the system.
Residents should contact their local Community Action Agency as soon as possible when:
Heating fuel is almost gone
The home has already run out of fuel
There is no functioning heat
An electricity disconnection could affect heating
A utility shutoff notice has been received
The household should also contact its fuel vendor or utility company directly.
Explain the situation clearly and ask whether emergency assistance, payment arrangements, or other protections may be available.
Residents who are unsure which local organization can help can use 211 New Hampshire assistance resources or dial 211 for referrals to fuel, utility, housing, and other community services.
Submitting an assistance application does not automatically guarantee that a scheduled shutoff or heating emergency will be resolved. Staying in direct contact with the Community Action Agency, utility, or fuel provider remains important.
Lower Energy Costs Beyond This Winter
Financial assistance can help solve an immediate heating problem, but an inefficient home can continue producing high energy bills year after year.
New Hampshire also offers programs designed to improve household energy efficiency.
Income-eligible renters and homeowners may qualify for improvements intended to make homes more comfortable while reducing unnecessary energy use.
Depending on the home and program assessment, improvements can include:
Insulation
Air sealing
Energy-efficiency upgrades
Heating-system improvements
Replacement of certain inefficient equipment
Residents interested in longer-term savings can learn more through the New Hampshire income-eligible Home Energy Assistance Program.
Renters may also be able to participate, although landlord approval can be required when physical improvements need to be made to a rental property.
Other assistance may be available through individual utilities, local welfare programs, payment arrangements, Neighbor Helping Neighbor, Project Care, or other community resources.
A household that does not receive enough support from FAP or EAP should not assume those are the only available options.
Compare Energy Plans by ZIP Code With 97 Options
Fuel Assistance and Electric Assistance are public assistance programs. Energy plan comparison is a separate service.
Consumers who want to review energy options available in their area can use 97 Options where competitive energy choice is available.
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The 97 Options ZIP tool does not search for LIHEAP benefits, determine Fuel Assistance eligibility, or process FAP or EAP applications.
Understand Your Current Energy Bill With Maya
A household does not always need to change providers immediately to benefit from understanding its existing bill.
Maya by 97 Options can help users review information already shown on an energy bill, including:
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Current energy rate
Provider information
Supply charges
Other bill charges
Overall energy costs
Understanding these details can make it easier to see what is contributing to the monthly bill before considering other energy options.
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Maya is an energy bill analysis tool. It does not determine LIHEAP eligibility, process Fuel Assistance applications, or approve government benefits.
New Hampshire Energy Assistance Resources
Resource | Best Used For | Contact or Access |
New Hampshire Fuel Assistance Program | State information about LIHEAP and FAP | New Hampshire Department of Energy |
Community Action Agencies | Fuel and Electric Assistance applications | Agency serving your local area |
Electric Assistance Program | Monthly electric bill discounts | Local Community Action Agency |
211 New Hampshire | Fuel, utility, and community referrals | Dial 211 or 1-866-444-4211 |
Home Energy Assistance | Income-eligible energy-efficiency improvements | Participating New Hampshire program providers |
These programs and organizations are independent of 97 Options. Government or public-assistance eligibility decisions must be handled through the appropriate administering organization
Important Disclaimer
97 Options is an independent energy comparison and educational service. It is not a government agency and is not affiliated with or endorsed by LIHEAP, the New Hampshire Department of Energy, the Fuel Assistance Program, the Electric Assistance Program, or New Hampshire Community Action Agencies. 97 Options does not determine eligibility, approve benefits, process public assistance applications, or guarantee financial assistance. Program funding, eligibility requirements, income limits, deadlines, and benefit amounts may change. Applicants should confirm current information directly with the appropriate official program or Community Action Agency.