While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the LIHEAP program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Table of Contents
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides assistance for energy costs to low-income households. LIHEAP is a federal program that is administered by individual states, territories, and tribes. In Connecticut, LIHEAP is administered by the Community Action Agencies of Connecticut.
Learn more about LIHEAP by reviewing the federal program fact sheet here.
For more information about LIHEAP in Connecticut, click here.
The Community Action Agencies of Connecticut oversees LIHEAP benefits and provides financial assistance for heating expenses to qualified households. Financial assistance can include payment for:
For more information about LIHEAP’s energy assistance initiative in Connecticut, see the Connecticut state 2022 LIHEAP Detailed Model Plan here.
LIHEAP Crisis Assistance, like standard LIHEAP benefits, is a cash grant provided to the utility companies of eligible individuals in certain situations.
If your household meets all the eligibility requirements above and has an energy-related crisis, you may qualify for LIHEAP Crisis Assistance.
The state of Connecticut defines “winter crisis” as one where a household has used all of its heating assistance benefits and still need heating assistance.
A “life-threatening crisis situation” also qualifies a household for Winter Crisis Assistance. This occurs when a household is within one week of being without primary heating fuel.
For qualifying households, the maximum annual benefit amount for LIHEAP Crisis Assistance is a one-time payment of $410.
Learn more about Crisis Assistance on page 12 of the Detailed Model Plan here.
To determine the amount of energy assistance for which you are eligible, the Community Action Agencies of Connecticut will consider:
Also, whether you are eligible for regular LIHEAP payments or Crisis Assistance payments will influence your maximum benefit amount.
As of 2024, the maximum annual benefit amount for heating in Connecticut is $530 and the minimum annual benefit amount is $180.
To qualify for LIHEAP in Connecticut, you must meet the following requirements:
The Community Action Agencies of Connecticut prioritize households with elderly, disabled or young members. Elderly is considered 60 years or older, and young is considered five years old or younger.
Learn more about the LIHEAP financial eligibility requirements in Connecticut here.
If you or a member of your family participates in the benefit programs below, then you may automatically be eligible for LIHEAP based on your income:
Eligible households can only apply for LIHEAP assistance from November 1st until June 17th each year. LIHEAP applications cannot be submitted year-round.
To apply for LIHEAP in Connecticut, complete the following three steps:
Learn what documents and information you need to complete the process here.
The Connecticut LIHEAP is available here.
Note that applications for Crisis Assistance, for households that meet the state definition of a crisis, can be submitted year-round.
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact your nearest Community Action Agency (CAA) office. Find your nearest CAA office here.
When applying for Connecticut LIHEAP benefits, you will need to provide:
The state will need the following documents and information to confirm your eligibility for LIHEAP benefits:
Learn more about the documentation needed during the LIHEAP application process here.
You can call the Community Action Agency office where you applied to directly to check your application status.
Click here to find your local office and contact information.
The Community Action Agencies of Connecticut will notify you within 45 days of receiving your application if you are approved to receive benefits. If you are approved for Crisis Assistance, you will receive a notification within 48 hours. All LIHEAP payments are made to the heating or energy provider directly. Benefit payments will not be sent to you.
If you are denied Connecticut LIHEAP benefits, you may request a hearing to appeal the decision by writing a statement to your local Community Action Agency (CAA) office where you applied within 60 days of when you received the denial. Find your nearest local CAA office here.
If the CAA representative cannot resolve the dispute, you can request a hearing with the Department of Social Services. To begin this process, write a request to appeal and mail it to:
Connecticut Department of Social Services
Office of Administrative Hearings and Appeals
55 Farmington Avenue
Hartford, CT 06105
Once the Department of Social Services receives the appeal, they will set up a hearing and notify you of the date, time and location.
If you have questions about the appeal process, call the Connecticut Energy Assistance phone line at (855) 626-6632.
If you have questions about LIHEAP benefits in Connecticut or require further assistance, contact your local Community Action Agency office. Find your nearest Community Action Agency (CAA) office and contact information here. You can also contact the Connecticut Community Action Agencies’ main phone line at (860) 832-9438.
Or, call the Connecticut Energy Assistance phone line at (855) 626-6632.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and compiled a guide that we believe is simple to use and easy to understand. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing detailed information on the process.
Our free LIHEAP Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply for LIHEAP, program eligibility and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view our free guide here.
Last Updated: January 24, 2024