Home Energy Assistance Program
The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a program that provides a fixed amount of funding to Maine each year from the federal government. With more than 75 percent of available HEAP funds committed, MaineHousing’s Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is moving to a wait list process for completed, eligible applications taken after 5 p.m. on March 1, 2024.
Applications will continue to be received and processed after the deadline but they will not be moved forward for benefit payment until eligible applications already in the pipeline have been paid and it is determined that funding is available. Every effort will be made to provide assistance to eligible applicants who submit a completed application but cannot guarantee that assistance will be available.
The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps qualified homeowners and renters pay for heating costs. Benefits include help paying for fuel and emergency fuel delivery. You can also qualify for energy-related repairs if you are eligible for HEAP.
Households are encouraged to apply for HEAP as early as possible. The application process involves both an application and an interview, to help determine eligibility and the level of benefit. The amount of benefit eligible households receive varies depending on household size, income and other factors.
Applying For The Program
Apply
This program will begin taking applications for the 2023-2024 season on July 17, 2023. The program will stop taking applications at 5:00PM on March 1, 2024.
Applications for the HEAP Program are handled by your local Community Action Agency. You can schedule an appointment or start the application process online. Find your local Community Action Agency by entering your zip code in the field below. You can view all HEAP Agency Contacts here.
If you applied online the status of your application may have several different stages. Download the journey flyer below for more info on the stages and status definitions.
Prepare For Your Appointment
You will need to provide copies of certain documents to apply. This list may not include everything so make sure you ask your CAA what to bring.
- Names and social security numbers of all people living in your household.
- Proof of gross household income for the last 30 day/1 month or 12 months. (Household income includes, but is not limited to: wages, social security, unemployment, pension, and disability payments.)
- Proof of present address (for example, a rent receipt, lease, deed, or property tax bill).
- Recent copies of your energy and utility bills.
- The type of fuel used to heat your home (natural gas, heating oil, propane, wood, wood pellets, biobricks, coal, corn, kerosene or electricity).
You Have Applied - Now What?
CAA Follow Up
After your appointment the CAA will review your application to determine if you are eligible for a benefit. In most cases the, once eligibility is determined, the CAA will work directly with your fuel provider and the benefit will be paid as a credit to your account.
If you applied online the status of your application may have several different stages. Download the journey flyer below for more info on the stages and status definitions.
Download HEAP Application Process Journey Flyer
Emergency Assistance
Emergency assistance More help may be available if you have less than a seven (7) day supply of heating fuel. We may also be able to help if you cannot pay your bill and your services may be disconnected. We also be able to help with past due utility bills.
Additional Resources
If you are eligible for HEAP, you also may qualify for other programs that require HEAP eligibility:
- If you receive residential electric service from an electric utility and you are not living in government subsidized housing, you may be eligible for assistance with your electric bills from your electric utility’s Low Income Assistance Plan (LIAP).
- If your home is not as energy efficient as it could be, you may qualify for home weatherization improvements through our Weatherization Program.
- If your heating system is in need of repair or replacement, you may qualify for the Central Heating Improvement Program (CHIP).
MORE INFO
This program will start taking applications for the 2023-2024 season on July 17, 2023. Applications for the HEAP Program are handled by your local Community Action Agency. You can view all HEAP Agency Contacts here.
If you need assistance after the application closing deadline, apply and the Community Action Agency will keep a waiting list should there be funding available. They will work through the pipeline as quickly as possible, but please know that assistance is not guaranteed.
At the time of application, you should be prepared to provide:
- Names and social security numbers of all people living in your household.
- Proof of gross household income for the last 30 day/1 month or 12 months. (Household income includes, but is not limited to: wages, social security, unemployment, pension, and disability payments.)
- Proof of present address (for example, a rent receipt, lease, deed, or property tax bill).
- Recent copies of your energy and utility bills.
- The type of fuel used to heat your home (natural gas, heating oil, propane, wood, wood pellets, biobricks, coal, corn, kerosene or electricity).
Contact Information
For more information, see our related document and related links at the top of the page, download the Home Energy Assistance Program brochure , or contact:
(877) 544-3271
Any individual may report to MaineHousing suspected errors and program abuse related to programs:
- By telephone: 1-800-452-4668 or (207) 626-4600
- In writing: MaineHousing, ATTN: LIHEAP Errors and Program Abuse, 26 Edison Drive, Augusta, ME 04333
- By e-mail:
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