Home Energy Assistance Program
HEAP Applications Are OPEN
2026 - 2027 applications are open from August 3, 2026 to May 29, 2027, or until funds are exhausted.
Apply Now
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.
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.
Am I Eligible?
Eligibility for the HEAP program is determined by household income and size. Additional criteria may also apply.
2026 - 2027 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 eligible medical expenses.
| HOUSEHOLD SIZE | HOUSEHOLD INCOME | ||
| 1 MONTH | 3 MONTHS | 12 MONTHS | |
| 1 | $3,173 | $9,518 | $38,070 |
| 2 | $4,149 | $12,446 | $49,784 |
| 3 | $5,125 | $15,375 | $61,498 |
| 4 | $6,101 | $18,303 | $73,213 |
| 5 | $7,077 | $21,232 | $84,927 |
| 6 | $8,053 | $24,160 | $96,641 |
| 7 | $8,236 | $24,709 | $98,837 |
| 8 | $8,420 | $25,259 | $101,033 |
| 9 | $8,603 | $25,808 | $103,230 |
| 10 | $8,786 | $26,357 | $105,426 |
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 (CAAs) throughout the state of Maine and ProsperityME. When applications are open, you can apply online using the link below.
To apply by phone or in person, during an open application period, review the HEAP Agency Contacts to find your local Community Action Agency. Contact your local CAA to schedule an appointment.
Applications for the 2026 - 2027 HEAP Program season will start on August 3, 2026 and continue until funds are exhausted or May 29, 2027.
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 applying for HEAP online or in-person, and then contact your local CAA to determine eligibility for crisis assistance. Applications for crisis assistance are NOT accepted online.
Applications for the 2026 - 2027 ECIP Program season will start on November 1, 2026 and run through April 30, 2027.
Apply Online
You can apply for the HEAP Program directly online.
Make sure you have reviewed the required documents and online tutorials, linked below, before accessing the online application.
You can view all HEAP Agency Contacts here.
Below are several videos to help answer questions about the online application system.
Creating A New Customer Account
Entering Personal and Demographic Information
Entering Income
Adding Household Members
Adding Heating Cooling Systems
Entering Energy Account Information
Submitting the Application and Uploading Documents
I Have Applied - Now What?
1
Application
There are three ways to apply for HEAP: Online, by phone, or with an in-person appointment.
2
Review of Your Application
If you have applied online or by phone, the CAA will follow up with you regarding required documentation that you must provide. Please check your email and voicemail to ensure you respond promptly to prevent any processing delays.
3
Eligibility & Benefit Determined
The CAA will review your application and all supporting documentation to determine if you are eligible. They will certify you for the maximum assistance allowed.
4
Benefit Applied
In most cases, your fuel provider will receive your benefit directly and it 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 may also qualify for other programs.
Low Income Assistance Plan
If you are not living in government subsidized housing, you may be eligible for assistance with your electric bills through the Low Income Assistance Plan (LIAP)
Learn More
Weatherization Program
MaineHousing’s Weatherization Program provides grants to low-income homeowners and renters to reduce energy costs by improving home energy efficiency.
Learn More
Central Heating Improvement Program
If your heating system is in need of repair or replacement, you may qualify for the Central Heating Improvement Program (CHIP)
Learn More
Additional Resources
For the purposes of HEAP eligibility, persons sharing a Dwelling Unit, regardless of financial contribution to the Household, are considered one Household, except in the cases of a Roomer.
- Gross Wages, Salaries, Commissions, and Bonuses
- Self-Employment
- Odd Jobs
- Contract Income, such as teacher contracts
- Unemployment Insurance and Worker’s Compensation Benefits
- Benefits paid by the Social Security Administration: Social Security Retirement, Supplemental Security Income, and Social Security Disability Income
- Retirement and Pensions
- Cash Gifts
- Rental Income
- Alimony or Child Support
- Interest, Dividends, Estates, Trusts, and Royalties
- Veterans Administration Benefits
- Long Term Disability Insurance Payments
If you or a member of your household’s income has recently changed, the best thing to do is to talk to the Intake worker that is taking your application. They can assist you in determining what documentation you must provide regarding the change. Please note that income earned prior to the date of your HEAP Application is used for eligibility determination of your HEAP Application, changes to income after the date of your HEAP Application cannot be considered.
* HEAP Benefits may only be issued for the Fuel Type electric if there is a permanently installed electric heating system in the Dwelling Unit.
Yes, you may receive a benefit if your heating cost is included in your rent if your HEAP Application is found eligible.
The household must prove that the Primary Applicant is responsible for paying the heating cost.
If you would like to know the status of your HEAP Application or have questions regarding your HEAP application, you should contact the Community Action Agency (CAA) that services your county. You can find a full list of CAAs here.
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:
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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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