How to Apply for Energy Assistance in December
See December steps, documents, and state deadlines to submit your heating aid application before funds run low.
To apply for energy assistance in December, answer eligibility questions, find your state or territory LIHEAP office, then submit the application in the way that office accepts. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is the federal program that can pay heating or cooling bills and provide emergency help during an energy crisis. Eligibility is based on income and varies by state and territory.
According to USA.gov, some offices accept online applications while others require in-person applications, as explained in the USA.gov energy bills guide.
Verification note: Program terms and availability can change. This page was checked against linked sources on November 02, 2026.
What help can you get in December?
LIHEAP can help with regular heating or cooling bills. It can also provide emergency help during an energy crisis, such as a shutoff notice or empty heating tank. Grant amounts depend on your state, income, household size, and fuel type.
In Pennsylvania, for example, the 2026-2027 season offers one-time cash grants of $200-$1,000 paid to utilities, plus crisis grants up to $1,000 for heating emergencies, according to York County, Pennsylvania in the York County LIHEAP notice. A separate program covers longer-term savings. The Weatherization Assistance Program studies the whole low-income home and provides efficiency, health, and safety improvements to lower energy costs.
You apply for that program through your state weatherization office, not through LIHEAP.
How do you apply?
Start with your state or territory LIHEAP office. December falls inside many winter heating seasons, so offices are taking applications during that month. Some states add their own paths.
Missouri households can apply online, by mail, fax, or in person through a local contracted agency, according to the Missouri Department of Social Services in the Missouri utility assistance page.
- Answer the eligibility questions for your household
- Find your state or territory LIHEAP contact
- Submit the application online, in person, by mail, or by fax, as your office allows
What documents do you need?
Have household information ready before you start. Pennsylvania applicants must supply household names, birth dates, Social Security numbers, proof of income, and a recent heating bill. You may be able to apply more than one way.
Pennsylvania allows online filing through COMPASS, a hotline at 1-866-857-7095, or a visit to a county office. Check your bill and income papers for current names and amounts. A complete packet can reduce delays and follow-up requests.
Why should you apply early in December?
Programs can close before the posted end date when funds run out. York County advises applicants to apply as soon as possible rather than waiting until later in winter. Posted seasons are long, but payment timing varies.
New Jersey's 2026-2027 utility-assistance season runs October 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, recommends applying online, and warns that status updates are unavailable until late December when first benefits release. Pennsylvania's 2026-2027 LIHEAP season runs November 2, 2026 to April 23, 2027. If you heat with oil, propane, kerosene, wood, or coal, December is a practical time to file before deep-winter refills.