Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Community Action Marin is the local administrator of the federally funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The program provides eligible families with assistance for utility payments and wood and propane home energy costs. LIHEAP is a yearly one-time payment sent directly to the utility company (PG&E) or fuel provider (wood or propane) and appears as a credit on your bill.
Pre Application Qualifications
To determine eligibility, the State of California uses a priority plan. Only households who are in a “high priority” group and meet the income eligibility requirements will be served. Having received LIHEAP assistance in the past does not guarantee that you will receive it again.
Households who meet both income eligibility requirements and are in the State of California’s following high priority groups will be served first.
| Households with the lowest income |
| Households with the greatest energy burden (percentage of income spent on utilities) |
| Those with children under age five |
| Older adults (age 60+) |
| Those with disabilties |
Eligibility for LIHEAP services can also vary depending on income, household size, place of residence, and other factors. You may qualify for the LIHEAP or Wood & Propane program if your gross monthly household income is less than the 2026 LIHEAP Income Eligibility figures reflected below:
| Family of 1 | $3,331.66 |
| Family of 2 | $4,356.83 |
| Family of 3 | $5,382.00 |
| Family of 4 | $6,407.16 |
| Family of 5 | $7,432.25 |
| Family of 6 | $8,457.41 |
| Family of 7 | $8,649.66 |
| Family of 8 | $8,941.83 |
| Family of 9 | $9,034.08 |
| Family of 10 | $9,226.25 |
To apply, you’ll need the following:
| A valid government-issued I.D. |
| Recent copies of your utility bill. (Must include all pages and show 30 billing days.) |
| Final Utility Termination Notice. (If you’ve received a 14-day, 48-hour, or shutoff notice from your energy company, that should be included with your utility bill.) |
| Recent pay stubs or other proof of income that shows your current monthly gross income. (This must account for 30 consecutive days of income.) |
| Documentation showing income from Social Security, Cal Fresh, Unemployment Insurance, Pension Funds, Disability, etc. (Examples: Notice of Action, Passport to Services, most recent bank statement showing direct deposit, copy of current check, dated annual benefit letter, payee letter showing income amount, Form 4926, Form 2458, or a HUD statement with a SS amount) |
| Other income sources such as Self-employment, Child Support, Odd Job Requirements. (Examples: current copy of ledger/journal, or a signed self-employment statement showing monthly gross income) |
| For households with zero income, a self-declaration of zero income attestation form will be requested (Please speak to an intake specialist to request a copy of this form.) |
For Wood or Propane assistance the eligibility and the process are the same as those for LIHEAP with the following modifications:
| Propane Customers | Bring account information including the latest bill. The invoice must match the service address listed on your application. |
| Wood Customers | Work directly with Community Action Marin’s vendor to receive a cord of wood. No bill is required. |
How to Apply
Service Inquiry Form
- Complete our Service Inquiry Form.
- Note your interest in LIHEAP in the box that asks: “Tell us how we can help you”.
- You will receive a phone call within 1-5 business days to get started with the application process.
Approval Process
- An approval or denial notice will be issued within 30 days, and if approved, a one-time payment will be sent directly to your utility or fuel provider and applied as a credit to your bill.
- Upon approval, you will be informed of the assistance amount by mail.
- All payments are made within 45 days after approval of an application.