When does LIHEAP winter help open for 2026-27?

A 2026-27 opening date was not in the HHS table we read. That table lists planned fiscal year 2026 dates and was last updated November 25, 2025.

How do I apply for LIHEAP?

The HHS LIHEAP page names EnergyHelp.us and the NEAR line at 1-866-674-6327, weekdays, 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern. The clearinghouse energy-help index lists applications for some states.

Can the utility shut off heat in winter?

The HHS cold-weather table, last updated September 24, 2025, lists a date or temperature rule for many states. If a state is missing, this site says the rule was not verified.

Winter heating help

The latest HHS LIHEAP table we read lists planned fiscal year 2026 heating dates. It was last updated November 25, 2025. A winter 2026-27 opening date was not on that page. Use the state page for the last published window, crisis help, and shutoff notes. This site does not approve or deny benefits.

Simple answer

The last published heating dates are from the FY 2026 plan.

That table was updated November 25, 2025. It does not list a 2026-27 opening day.

What do you need?

Pick one. We save that choice and the state. We do not ask for income, a health condition, a name, or an account number.

When heating help opens

The latest table we read is planned fiscal year 2026, last updated November 25, 2025. Fiscal year 2026 is October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. A winter 2026-27 opening date was not on that page. Source: FY 2026 State Model Plans. Last checked 2026-10-16.

Open a state page for that state's heating column. We do not print one national opening day.

Program dates table

How and where to apply

The HHS page names EnergyHelp.us and the NEAR phone line. The clearinghouse index lists applications for some states only.

The HHS LIHEAP page prints the National Energy Assistance Referral number 1-866-674-6327, weekdays, 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern. The page shows 2026-08-05. Last checked 2026-10-16.

Find where to apply Open the state energy-help index Read the HHS LIHEAP page See the LIHEAP income band

Crisis or emergency help

Each state page prints the winter crisis column and the year-round crisis column. A blank column stays blank.

Winter shutoff protection

The cold-weather table was last updated September 24, 2025. Some states are not on it. Those state pages say the rule was not verified.

Cold-weather disconnect table. Last checked 2026-10-16.

Pick your state

Last checked: October 16, 2026

Sources

HHS LIHEAP Clearinghouse program dates Table last updated 2025-11-25. FY 2026 State Model Plans.
HHS LIHEAP Clearinghouse cold-weather disconnect policies Table last updated 2025-09-24.
HHS LIHEAP Clearinghouse energy-help index Application file links were not copied.
HHS LIHEAP program page Prints the NEAR number 1-866-674-6327. The page shows 2026-08-05.
EnergyHelp.us, named on the HHS LIHEAP page

What changed

September 24, 2025. The clearinghouse updated the cold-weather disconnect table.
November 25, 2025. The clearinghouse updated planned FY 2026 program dates. A FY 2027 opening table was not on that page.