Home Energy Assistance Program
The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps qualified homeowners and renters pay for heating costs. Benefits include assistance with fuel costs and emergency fuel delivery. You can also qualify for energy-related repairs and utility payments if you are eligible for HEAP.
Households are encouraged to apply for HEAP as early as possible. Applications for the 2025 - 2026 HEAP Program season will start on August 1, 2025 and continue until funds are exhausted or May 29, 2026.
The application process involves an application and, in some cases, 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 household expenses.
ELIGIBILITY
Eligibility for the HEAP program is determined by household income and size. Additional criteria may also apply.
2025 - 2026 Season
Maximum gross household income is based on the number of people in the household.
For households with more than 10 persons, contact your Community Action Agency (CAA) for eligibility guidelines.
Other program guidelines
and requirements may apply - your CAA will provide you with all the details.
If your household income is over the HEAP
income guidelines, you may be able to deduct a portion of the amount you paid for medical expenses.
| HOUSEHOLD SIZE |
HOUSEHOLD INCOME | ||
| 1 MONTH | 3 MONTHS | 12 MONTHS | |
| 1 | $3,070 | $9,209 | $38,836 |
| 2 | $4,014 | $12,043 | $48,170 |
| 3 | $4,959 | $14,876 | $59,504 |
| 4 | $5,903 | $17,710 | $70,839 |
| 5 | $6,848 | $20,543 | $82,173 |
| 6 | $7,792 | $23,377 | $93,507 |
| 7 | $7,969 | $23,908 | $95,632 |
| 8 | $8,146 | $24,439 | $97,757 |
| 9 | $8,324 | $23,971 | $99,882 |
| 10 | $8,501 | $25,502 | $102,008 |
Documentation you will need to provide
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, date of birth, social security numbers, and proof of citizenship for all people living in your household.
- Proof of gross household income. Household income includes, but is not limited to: wages, social security, unemployment, pension, and disability payments.
- IRS Form 1040
- Profit and loss statements
- W2s
- IRS Form 1099
- Proof of self-employment income
- Wage statements
- Pay stubs
- Unemployment documentation
- A written attestation from an employer
- Interest statements
- Court orders
- Lease agreements
- Tax filings or
- Eligibility determination letter or other evidence from a government agency
- Recent copies of your full energy and utility bills showing usage information.
- The type of fuel used to heat your home (natural gas, heating oil, kerosene, propane, wood, wood pellets, biobricks, coal, corn, or electricity).
Your application will be denied if all requested documentation is not provided.
How Do I Apply?
Heating Assistance - HEAP
Applications for the HEAP Program are handled by local Community Action Agencies throughout the state of Maine and ProsperityME. You can apply online using the link below. To apply by phone or in person, you can find the contact information for your local Community Action Agency by entering your zip code in the field below. You will then need to call your local CAA to set up an appointment.
Applications for the 2025 - 2026 HEAP Program season will start on August 1, 2025 and continue until funds are exhausted or May 29, 2026.
Crisis Assistance - ECIP
If you have an extremely low supply of heating fuel, you may qualify for crisis assistance through the Energy Crisis Intervention Program, ECIP. Start by filling out a HEAP application and then contact your local CAA to determine eligibility for crisis assistance.
Applications for the 2025 - 2026 ECIP Program season will start on November 1, 2025 and run through April 30, 2026
Apply Online
You can apply for the HEAP Program directly online.
The HEAP online application has not opened yet for the 2025 - 2026 year. Online applications will open on August 1, 2025
Apply By Phone or In-Person
To apply by phone, or with an appointment in-person contact your local CAA. Enter your zip code below to find your local CAA:
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 your eligibility and benefit have been determined, your fuel provider will receive your benefit directly. Your benefit will appear as a credit to your account. You can find a list of fuel providers that work with the HEAP program here.
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
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:
Email Me
This program is supported by Grant Number 2501MELIEA (CDFA 93.568) from the Office of Community Services Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Community Services Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
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