LIHEAP Deadlines by State: When to Apply for 2026
Compare 2025-2026 LIHEAP open and close dates by state and learn why early applications held funds longer.
LIHEAP deadlines for 2026 varied by state, with winter heating windows opening as early as Oct. 1, 2025 in Illinois and as late as Dec. 3, 2025 in Pennsylvania.
LIHEAP, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, helps eligible households pay heating, cooling and crisis energy costs through state-run programs. The program uses a federal fiscal year of Oct. 1 to Sept.
30. According to Administration for Children and Families guidance, states filed fiscal year 2026 model plans by Sept. 2, 2025 and then set their own heating, cooling and crisis windows federal guidance for fiscal year 2026.
Verification note: Program terms and availability can change. This page was checked against linked sources on November 02, 2026.
Why each state sets its own dates
LIHEAP is a federal block grant overseen by the Administration for Children and Families. States design their own schedules for regular heating, cooling and crisis aid within the federal year. That structure means opening and closing dates differ widely.
A household must follow the county or local administrator schedule where it lives, not a single national deadline.
When did winter heating programs open?
Illinois opened its 2025-2026 program on Oct. 1, 2025 for priority households, including residents age 60 and older, people with disabilities, families with a child age 5 or younger, and households disconnected or low on propane. Illinois DCEO said other eligible households could apply starting Nov.
1, 2025, with the season closing Aug. 15, 2026. New York opened 2025-2026 Regular HEAP on Dec.
1, 2025, with benefits paid directly to utilities or fuel vendors. According to N.Y. Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance guidance, the regular component was scheduled to operate through April 7, 2026 New York Regular HEAP guidance.
Pennsylvania's 2025-2026 season began Dec. 3, 2025 and was scheduled Dec. 3, 2025 through April 10, 2026, with applications through COMPASS or county assistance offices, according to the Pa.
Department of Human Services.
Which windows were narrow or year-round?
Virginia had an unusually narrow fuel-assistance window. Virginia DSS information placed the opening in mid-October 2025 and the closing around Nov. 13-14, 2025, so late applicants could miss heating aid even though cold weather continued.
California operated differently. According to California Department of Community Services and Development, the state ran LIHEAP under its Oct. 1, 2025 to Sept.
30, 2026 plan with crisis aid also available year-round through local contractors California final state plan. New York also split its program, opening an Emergency component on Jan. 2, 2026 for shutoffs, empty fuel tanks or broken heating equipment, according to the N.Y.
Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.
Why apply early instead of waiting?
Published closing dates did not hold when money ran out. Illinois, New York and Pennsylvania said their 2025-2026 seasons ran until the posted closing date or until funds were exhausted. That rule rewards early filing.
Use these steps for any open or upcoming window: Call your local administrator before you assume the posted closing date still holds.
- Apply as soon as your priority group or county opens
- Ask the local administrator whether funds remain before you wait
- Report a shutoff notice, empty tank or failed heater right away for crisis review