North Dakota program
Help with the heating bill (LIHEAP)
Help with home heating costs through your human service zone.
What it is
Help with home heating costs through your human service zone.
Treatment expenses and reduced pay can make the heating bill hard to manage. LIHEAP uses household income to decide who can get help. The zone office works out the benefit rather than promising one amount to every family.
Eligibility rules
- For October 1, 2025–September 30, 2026, the monthly ceilings are $6,497 for four, $5,457 for three and $4,418 for two.
- The ceiling is 60% of state median income, rather than a fixed poverty percentage.
What you get
- Money toward home heating for eligible households.
What the help includes
- LIHEAP can help with primary heating, qualifying heating-system or chimney work, weatherization and approved crisis assistance. The amount and household contribution depend on the calculation and approved service. The zone confirms your approved amount, remaining share, payment recipient and any maximum. It does not promise payment of every utility bill.
If you decide to apply
- Ask your human service zone about LIHEAP through the Self-Service Portal.
- Have a recent energy bill and current household income ready.
866-614-6005 — Your human service zone office · Official page ↗
After you ask
- The zone office sets the benefit and the next review date.
Good to know
Applications and heating benefits run all year. There is no need to wait for a winter application season.
Other details
- If a shutoff notice arrives or the heat is off, tell the zone: there is an emergency route with a faster answer. A medical hold with the utility is a separate step.
Federal background: Home energy assistance.
Official sources
“Could heating assistance help with our bill, and what portion would remain ours? Could you help us work through the application if it fits?”
Why I’m asking: I want to keep heating costs manageable while treatment affects our budget.
More background and detailed requirements
Additional program information and published rules
Who does what
The three parts, side by side. The agency decides; nobody on this page does.
You
Apply with a recent energy bill and this month’s income.
Your social worker
The zone worker sets the benefit and it continues to your review date.
The care team
Records and letters when the application asks for them.
- Who decides
- Your human service zone office.
- Ask the agency
- “I would like to apply for LIHEAP. I understand applications are taken all year now.”
How to apply
First step: Apply on the Self-Service Portal with a recent energy bill.
- Apply now rather than waiting for the cold; the season restriction is gone.
- Take your most recent energy bill.
Official application / program page ↗
Where it starts: Apply on the Self-Service Portal or through your human service zone.
What to gather
- A recent heating bill
- This month’s income
How long: No published clock; ask the zone office.
What a yes looks like
A benefit paid toward the heating account, continuing to your review date.
What a no looks like, and the next move
Usually income. The ceiling is median-income based, so check the figure that was used.
Watch out
- Do not wait for winter; applications and heating benefits now run all year.
The numbers and the rules
The arcane layer, kept on purpose. Checked September 11, 2026.
What it is worth
Heating help for households under $6,497 a month for four, applied for at any time of year.
- $6,497/month — Monthly income ceiling, household of 4 (60% of state median income)
- $5,457/month — Monthly income ceiling, household of 3
- $4,418/month — Monthly income ceiling, household of 2
Covers: Help with heating costs · Help that continues to the household’s review date
What it costs the family: Nothing.
The eligibility facts, as published
- Income
- 60% of state median income; the published ceilings run October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026
The trap: Do not wait for winter. North Dakota moved to year-round applications and year-round heating benefits, and help now continues to your review date instead of stopping on May 31.
Where I read this
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program — North Dakota Health and Human Services, read September 10, 2026