When does LIHEAP heating help open in California for 2026-27?

A 2026-27 opening date was not in the HHS table. The FY 2026 heating column for California says year-round. That table was last updated November 25, 2025.

How do I apply for heating help in California?

Use the HHS energy-help index or the NEAR number on the HHS LIHEAP page, 1-866-674-6327. We did not copy a state application file onto this page.

Winter heating help in California

Q: What is the winter shutoff rule in California?

The cold-weather table lists a rule for California and names this source: CPUC Decision 20-06-003. The table was last updated September 24, 2025. We did not open the commission rule itself.

In California, the latest HHS table lists a planned fiscal year 2026 heating window. That table was last updated November 25, 2025. A winter 2026-27 opening date was not on the page. Crisis dates and shutoff notes on this page come from the same HHS clearinghouse, and a blank rule stays blank.

Simple answer

The last published heating window for California is year-round.

That figure is from the FY 2026 plan, updated November 25, 2025. A 2026-27 opening date was not in the table.

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.

Heating column for California: year-round.

The comment says dates of operation are October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026.

Program dates table

How and where to apply

The energy-help index did not list a downloadable application for California when we read it on October 16, 2026. Use the HHS page and the NEAR number.

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 in California

Crisis or emergency help

The winter crisis column was blank. Year-round crisis column: year-round. These are FY 2026 plan columns, not a verified 2026-27 crisis season.

Winter shutoff protection

Temperature rule: 32°F and below. The table says there is no date-based protection. Named source: CPUC Decision 20-06-003. The table was last updated September 24, 2025. We did not open that commission rule on October 16, 2026.

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

California cost and towns · Lost SNAP in California · All states

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.