Emergency Assistance

Overview

Families who are experiencing a financial emergency may be eligible for financial help to pay for housing and utilities.

Families that meet the following criteria may be eligible for Emergency Assistance:

  • The family must have a child who lives with a relative as defined for Work First Family Assistance and who meets the age limit for Work First cash assistance.
  • Total income must be at or below 200% of poverty level.
  • Family's statement is acceptable for citizenship and identity unless it is questionable. If in doubt, request appropriate verification.

Counties may set requirements that are more restrictive than these, but not requirements that are more lenient. Other assistance programs are available through Work First.

Low-Income Energy Assistance Program

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NOTICE:

Funding has been approved For the Low Income Energy Assistance Program and the FFY2026 LIEAP season will open on Wednesday, December 10, 2025.

On that date, counties may begin accepting applications for the December LIEAP priority group. Beginning January 2, 2026, applications will open for all other eligible households and will remain available through March 31, 2026, or until all funds have been exhausted. 

A press release will be issued on Monday, December 8, 2025, to inform the public that LIEAP applications will open on Wednesday, December 10. 

Please note: People who qualify for the auto-renewal are not impacted and their energy provider will receive the benefit on December 1, 2025 as expected. Households meeting the requirements for the automatic payment were notified through November 2025 and do not need to re-apply for LIEAP. 

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The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) is a Federally-funded program that provides a one-time vendor payment to help eligible households pay their heating bills. Only households containing an elderly person age 60 and above or a disabled person receiving services through the Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) are eligible to potentially receive benefits from December 1st through December 31st or until funds are exhausted.

Any household can potentially receive benefits from January 1st through March 31st or until funds are exhausted.

A household that applies must:

  • Have at least one U.S. citizen or non-citizen who meets the eligibility criteria
  • Meet an income test
  • Be responsible for its heating bills

Energy Assistance is important to all that receive it, but more so if someone in your home may especially be at risk for a life-threatening illness or death if their home is too cold in the winter.

In addition to the LIEAP program, we also offer assistance through our Crisis Intervention Program. For more information on the Crisis Intervention Program please visit our Crisis Intervention Program page.