Written by a parent, not a doctor. Nothing here is medical advice.

Childhood Cancer Lantern
Search Saved

South Carolina program

Help with the power bill

LIHEAP helps with heating and cooling bills through your local community action agency.

What it is

LIHEAP helps with heating and cooling bills through your local community action agency.

Energy bills can become harder to pay during treatment. Local agencies offer seasonal help and crisis assistance. The amount and availability depend on your local program.

Eligibility rules
  • The income standard is 60% of state median income.
  • The local agency uses the income table in force when it reviews your household. Your social worker can help confirm the table’s effective dates and the household and income the agency counts.
What you get
  • A payment toward an eligible heating or cooling bill.
  • Crisis help when disconnection is approaching and funds remain.
What the help includes
  • The 2025–26 heating season runs October 1, 2025 through April 30, 2026. Cooling runs May 1 through September 30, 2026. Crisis assistance can operate year-round when funded.
If you decide to apply
  1. Ask your local community action agency about its application season and crisis process.
  2. Have the energy bill, income records, proof of address and any shutoff notice ready.

The local community action agency · Official page ↗

If you decide to go ahead
  • Approved assistance can be paid as a credit to the energy company.
Good to know

Eligibility does not reserve funds. The agency’s available money can run out during a season.

Other details
  • The approved 2025–26 plan has a $200 base benefit, with maximums of $850 for heating, $775 for cooling and $1,000 for crisis help; the actual award depends on its rules and funds. October 2026 dates and limits still need confirmation. Your social worker can help the agency explain the crisis response, required documents and current availability.

Federal background: Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

Official sources
Ask your social worker

“Could our community action agency help with the power bill, and what would we need to pay ourselves? Could you help check the current season and any crisis help?”

Why I’m asking: I want to know what support is available before the energy bill grows.

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 at the start of the season with the bill and proof of income.

Your social worker

The hospital social worker usually knows which agency covers your county.

The care team

Records and letters when the application asks for them.

Who decides
The local community action agency.
Ask the agency
“My child is in cancer treatment at home and our power bill has gone up. I would like to apply for energy help, and for crisis help if that is separate.”

How to apply

First step: Contact your local community action agency and ask when applications open.

  1. Find your local community action agency and ask when the season opens and how to book.
  2. If a shutoff notice has arrived, say so, because crisis help is separate.

Official application / program page ↗

Where it starts: Apply through your local community action agency at the start of the season.

What to gather

  • The energy bill
  • Proof of income
  • Proof of address

How long: Varies by agency; crisis help is quicker.

What a yes looks like

A credit paid straight to the energy company.

What a no looks like, and the next move

Often the money has run out for the season rather than the income test. Ask when to reapply.

Watch out

  • It is seasonal and the money runs out. Apply when the season opens.
  • This line is a share of state median income, so it does not match the other figures on this page.

Dates that change this

2025-10-01: The income table was published by a delivery agency rather than the state, and its first effective date and the next season's figures were not verified. (not yet confirmed against the final rule)

The numbers and the rules

The arcane layer, kept on purpose. Checked September 11, 2026.

What it is worth

Help with heating and cooling bills at or under $61,525 a year for four, $51,681 for three.

  • $41,837/year — Household of 2, published yearly income ceiling
  • $51,681/year — Household of 3, published yearly income ceiling
  • $61,525/year — Household of 4, published yearly income ceiling
  • $71,369/year — Household of 5, published yearly income ceiling
  • $81,213/year — Household of 6, published yearly income ceiling

Covers: Payment towards a heating or cooling bill · Crisis help when the supply is about to be cut

What it costs the family: Nothing to apply.

The eligibility facts, as published

Income
at or below 60% of state median income; annual cells for households 1 to 6
Seasons
heating October 1, 2025 to April 30, 2026; cooling May 1 to September 30, 2026; crisis across the year, funding permitting

The trap: It is seasonal and it runs out. Heating help ran October 1, 2025 to April 30, 2026; cooling help May 1 to September 30, 2026; crisis help across the year while funding lasts. Apply at the start of the season, not when the notice arrives.

Where I read this

← Back to your options