Vermont Home Heating Help: Get $900 to $2,500 for Fuel Bills Through LIHEAP

Vermont winters are brutal, and heating a home here isn’t cheap. If you’re struggling to pay heating bills or worried about keeping your house warm this winter, Vermont’s fuel assistance programs can help. Through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and related programs, eligible Vermont households can receive $900 to $2,500 toward heating costs, plus help with weatherization, emergency fuel deliveries, and utility crisis situations.

This isn’t a loan you have to repay. It’s direct assistance that either reduces your fuel bill or gets paid directly to your heating provider. For many Vermont families, this benefit makes the difference between staying warm all winter and having to choose between heat and other necessities.

Vermont’s program runs through the state’s Economic Services Division, but you apply through your local Community Action Agency. These agencies have been helping Vermonters with fuel assistance for decades—they know the program inside and out, and they can often connect you with other resources you might not know about.

The application period typically opens in mid-October and runs through May, though you should apply as early as possible. Funding is limited, and while the program serves thousands of Vermont households each year, applying early means you’ll get help before the coldest months hit.

Key Details at a Glance

What Vermont Fuel Assistance Actually Provides

The core benefit is a direct payment toward your heating costs for the winter season (typically October through May). The amount you receive depends on several factors: your household size, your income, your heating fuel type, and the current cost of fuel.

Households using expensive heating fuels like propane or oil generally receive higher benefits than those using natural gas or wood, because the program tries to ensure everyone can afford adequate heat regardless of their heating system. A household heating with propane might receive $2,000 to $2,500, while a household using natural gas might receive $1,200 to $1,500.

The money doesn’t come to you directly. Vermont’s program pays your heating vendor or utility company on your behalf. If you heat with oil or propane, the payment goes to your fuel dealer. If you heat with electricity or natural gas, it goes to your utility company. This ensures the money actually goes toward heating your home.

Beyond the basic heating benefit, Vermont’s fuel assistance program includes several other components:

Crisis assistance is available if you run out of fuel, your heating system breaks down, or you receive a utility shutoff notice. This is emergency help on top of your regular benefit. If it’s January and you’re out of oil with no money to buy more, crisis assistance can get you an emergency delivery. If your furnace dies and you can’t afford repairs, crisis funds might cover it.

Weatherization assistance through the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) provides free home energy improvements. This is separate from the heating benefit but administered through the same Community Action Agencies. If you qualify for fuel assistance, you likely qualify for weatherization too. We’ll cover this in detail below.

Budget counseling and energy education help you manage energy costs better. The Community Action Agencies can review your energy use, suggest ways to reduce consumption, and help you set up budget payment plans with your utility or fuel dealer.

Referrals to other assistance programs because the staff at Community Action Agencies know what other help is available. They can connect you with food assistance, housing help, healthcare programs, and other resources.

Who Qualifies for Vermont Fuel Assistance

Eligibility is based primarily on household income compared to the state median income. For the 2024-2025 heating season, households at or below 60% of state median income generally qualify, though exact limits are updated annually.

Here’s what that looked like for recent years (check current year limits when you apply):

Household of 1: Annual income up to approximately $42,000 Household of 2: Annual income up to approximately $55,000
Household of 3: Annual income up to approximately $68,000 Household of 4: Annual income up to approximately $81,000 Household of 5: Annual income up to approximately $94,000

These limits are higher than many assistance programs because Vermont recognizes that heating costs are substantial even for moderate-income families. You don’t have to be in poverty to qualify—many working families receive fuel assistance.

Income includes wages, Social Security, SSI, unemployment, workers’ compensation, child support, and most other sources. Some income is excluded, like SNAP benefits or certain veterans’ benefits. The application will ask about all income sources for everyone in your household.

You’re a strong candidate if you:

• Live in Vermont and are responsible for paying your heating costs
• Have household income within the guidelines for your family size
• Heat your home with oil, propane, natural gas, electricity, wood, pellets, kerosene, or coal
• Can provide documentation of income and heating expenses
• Are a renter or homeowner (both qualify)

The program works especially well for:

• Seniors on fixed incomes facing high heating costs
• Families with children where income is tight
• People with disabilities who may have higher heating needs
• Renters who pay for heat separately from rent
• Homeowners with older, less efficient heating systems
• Rural Vermonters using expensive fuels like propane or oil

You don’t have to be a homeowner. Renters qualify as long as they’re responsible for paying heating costs. If heat is included in your rent, you’re not eligible for LIHEAP, but you might qualify for other assistance.

How Much You’ll Actually Receive

The benefit amount is calculated using a formula that considers your household size, income, fuel type, and the current cost of fuel. Vermont recalculates benefits each year based on fuel prices, so amounts vary from year to year.

For the 2024-2025 season, typical benefits looked like this:

Heating with oil or propane: $1,800 to $2,500 for most households. These fuels are expensive, and Vermont recognizes that households using them need more assistance.

Heating with natural gas: $1,200 to $1,800 for most households. Natural gas is generally cheaper than oil or propane, so benefits are somewhat lower.

Heating with electricity: $1,000 to $1,600 for most households. Electric heat can be expensive, but it’s often more efficient than oil or propane.

Heating with wood or pellets: $800 to $1,400 for most households. These fuels are generally less expensive, though prices have increased in recent years.

Within each fuel type, your specific benefit depends on your income level. Households with lower incomes receive higher benefits than those closer to the income limit. A household at 30% of state median income will get more than a household at 55% of state median income.

The benefit is calculated to help you afford adequate heat for the winter, not necessarily to cover all your heating costs. If you typically spend $3,000 on heating and receive a $2,000 benefit, you’re still responsible for the remaining $1,000. But that $2,000 makes a huge difference in affordability.

Weatherization Assistance: Free Home Energy Improvements

This is one of the best-kept secrets of Vermont’s energy assistance programs. If you qualify for fuel assistance, you almost certainly qualify for free weatherization services that can permanently reduce your heating costs.

Vermont’s Weatherization Assistance Program sends trained crews to your home to perform energy improvements at no cost to you. This isn’t just handing you some weather stripping and wishing you luck—it’s a comprehensive home energy upgrade.

Typical weatherization services include:

Insulation improvements in attics, walls, and basements. Many Vermont homes, especially older ones, have inadequate insulation. Adding insulation can reduce heating costs by 20-30%.

Air sealing to stop drafts and heat loss. Crews use specialized equipment to find air leaks and seal them with caulk, foam, and weather stripping. This makes your home more comfortable and reduces heating bills.

Heating system repairs or replacement. If your furnace or boiler is old and inefficient, weatherization might include repairs to improve efficiency or even replacement with a more efficient system.

Ventilation improvements to ensure your home has adequate fresh air while staying energy efficient. Tightening up a home can create ventilation problems if not done properly, so crews install ventilation systems when needed.

Water heater improvements like insulation blankets, pipe insulation, and low-flow showerheads to reduce hot water costs.

Health and safety measures like carbon monoxide detectors, smoke alarms, and repairs to ensure your heating system operates safely.

The value of weatherization services can range from $3,000 to $8,000 or more, depending on what your home needs. And unlike the annual fuel assistance benefit, these improvements keep saving you money year after year.

The catch is that there’s often a waiting list. Weatherization crews can only do so many homes per year, and demand exceeds capacity. When you apply for fuel assistance, ask about weatherization too. Get on the waiting list even if it takes a year—the long-term savings are worth it.

Insider Tips for Getting Approved Quickly

Apply in October or early November, not January. The application period opens in mid-October. Apply then, even if you don’t need help immediately. Early applicants get processed first and receive benefits before the coldest weather hits. If you wait until January when you’re desperate, you’ll face longer processing times and might not get help until late winter.

Gather all documentation before you apply. You’ll need proof of income for everyone in your household for the past 30 days (pay stubs, Social Security statements, unemployment documents, etc.), Social Security numbers for everyone, a recent heating bill or statement from your fuel dealer, and proof of residency. Having everything ready means your application won’t sit in a pile waiting for missing documents.

Contact your local Community Action Agency, not the state office. Vermont has five Community Action Agencies that administer fuel assistance in different regions. Find yours and contact them directly. They process applications, not the state office in Montpelier. You can find your local agency at vermontfuelassistance.org or by calling 2-1-1.

If you’re in crisis, say so immediately. Don’t wait in the regular application queue if you’re out of fuel or facing a shutoff. Tell the intake worker it’s an emergency. Crisis assistance is handled on a faster timeline than regular applications.

Ask about budget payment plans. Many fuel dealers and utilities offer budget plans where you pay the same amount each month year-round instead of huge bills in winter. Combining a budget plan with fuel assistance makes heating costs much more manageable. Your Community Action Agency can help you set this up.

Apply even if you’re not sure you qualify. The income limits are higher than many people expect. Let the agency determine eligibility—don’t self-reject. The worst they can say is no, and you might be pleasantly surprised.

If you’re denied, ask why and whether you can appeal. Sometimes denials are based on missing documentation or errors. If you’re denied and you believe you should qualify, ask for an explanation and information about the appeals process.

Application Process and Timeline

Here’s what the process looks like from start to finish:

Step 1: Find your local Community Action Agency - Vermont has five agencies serving different regions: Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (Chittenden County), Community Action in Southwestern Vermont (Bennington and Rutland Counties), NeighborWorks of Western Vermont (Addison, Grand Isle, Franklin, and Lamoille Counties), Southeastern Vermont Community Action (Windham and Windsor Counties), and Northeast Kingdom Community Action (Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans Counties). Call 2-1-1 or visit dcf.vermont.gov/benefits/fuel-assistance to find yours.

Step 2: Contact the agency to start your application - You can usually apply in person, by phone, by mail, or online, depending on the agency. Call first to ask about their preferred method and to schedule an appointment if needed. Some agencies have walk-in hours; others work by appointment.

Step 3: Complete the application - You’ll provide information about everyone in your household, all income sources, your heating fuel type and costs, and your housing situation. Be thorough and accurate. Incomplete applications take longer to process.

Step 4: Submit required documentation - Provide proof of income for all household members, Social Security numbers, a recent heating bill or fuel dealer statement, and proof that you live in Vermont. The agency will tell you exactly what they need.

Step 5: Wait for processing - Applications typically take 2-4 weeks to process if all documentation is complete. You’ll receive a notice of approval or denial by mail. If approved, the notice will tell you your benefit amount.

Step 6: Benefit payment - Once approved, the agency pays your fuel vendor or utility company directly. If you heat with deliverable fuel (oil, propane, kerosene), you’ll need to provide your dealer’s information. The dealer will credit your account. If you heat with utility gas or electricity, the payment goes to the utility and appears as a credit on your bill.

Step 7: Crisis assistance if needed - If you have a heating emergency during the winter, contact your Community Action Agency immediately. Crisis assistance can be processed in 24-48 hours for true emergencies.

The entire process from application to payment typically takes 3-6 weeks if you apply early with complete documentation. If you apply during the peak season (December-January) or with missing documents, it can take 6-8 weeks or longer.

Common Mistakes That Delay Benefits

Waiting until you’re in crisis to apply. The program is designed to help you afford heat all winter, not just to bail you out when you’re desperate. Apply in October or November, get approved, and have the benefit in place before you need it.

Not providing complete income documentation. If you have three people in your household and only provide income information for two, your application will sit until you provide the missing information. Document everyone’s income, even if someone has zero income.

Forgetting to include all income sources. Don’t just report wages. Include Social Security, SSI, unemployment, child support, workers’ compensation, pensions, and any other income. The agency will verify income, and if they find unreported income, it can delay or deny your application.

Not updating your application if circumstances change. If you lose your job after applying, notify the agency. If someone moves out of your household, notify the agency. Changes in household composition or income can affect your benefit amount.

Applying to the wrong agency. Make sure you contact the Community Action Agency that serves your county. Applying to the wrong agency just adds delays while they transfer your application.

Not following up if you don’t hear back. If you haven’t received a decision within 4 weeks, call the agency. Applications sometimes get stuck for simple reasons that can be quickly resolved if you follow up.

Assuming you don’t qualify because you work. Many working families qualify. The income limits are designed to help low- and moderate-income households, not just people in poverty.

What to Do If You’re Facing a Heating Emergency

If you run out of fuel, your heating system breaks down, or you receive a utility shutoff notice, don’t wait for the regular application process. Contact your Community Action Agency immediately and explain that you have a heating emergency.

Crisis assistance is available year-round, even outside the regular application period. The agency can often provide emergency help within 24-48 hours for true crises.

You might qualify for crisis assistance if:

• You’ve run out of heating fuel and have no money to buy more
• Your heating system is broken and you can’t afford repairs
• You received a utility shutoff notice
• Your fuel dealer won’t deliver because you have an outstanding balance
• You’re at risk of losing heat due to circumstances beyond your control

Crisis assistance might cover an emergency fuel delivery, furnace repairs, or payment to prevent a shutoff. The amount is typically smaller than the regular seasonal benefit, but it’s designed to get you through the immediate crisis.

If your Community Action Agency is closed (evenings or weekends) and you have a true emergency, call 2-1-1. They can provide information about emergency resources and may be able to connect you with crisis assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can renters get fuel assistance? Yes, if you’re responsible for paying your heating costs. If you pay for heat separately from your rent—either because you buy fuel directly or because heat is separately metered and billed—you qualify. If heat is included in your rent, you don’t qualify for LIHEAP, but your landlord might qualify for assistance if they pay the heating costs.

What if I heat with wood? You can get fuel assistance for wood or pellets. You’ll need to provide documentation of your wood costs—receipts from wood purchases or a statement from your wood supplier. The benefit for wood heat is typically lower than for oil or propane because wood is generally less expensive.

Can I get assistance if I’m behind on my fuel bills? Yes. In fact, having a past-due balance makes you a priority for assistance. The benefit can be applied to your outstanding balance or to future deliveries, depending on your situation and your fuel dealer’s policies.

What if my income varies from month to month? Provide documentation of your income for the past 30 days. If you have irregular income (self-employment, seasonal work, variable hours), explain that on your application. The agency will calculate your income based on the documentation you provide and may ask for additional months if your recent income isn’t representative.

Do I have to reapply every year? Yes. Fuel assistance is an annual benefit, not ongoing. You need to reapply each heating season. However, if you received benefits last year, the agency may send you a reminder when applications open.

What if I move during the heating season? Contact your Community Action Agency to update your address. If you move to a different county, you may need to transfer your application to the agency serving your new location. Your benefit can usually continue, but you need to keep the agency informed.

Can I get both fuel assistance and weatherization? Yes, and you should pursue both. They’re separate programs with separate benefits. Fuel assistance helps you pay for heat this year; weatherization reduces your heating costs permanently.

What if I’m denied? You have the right to appeal. The denial notice will explain why you were denied and how to request an appeal. Common reasons for denial include income over the limit, incomplete documentation, or not being responsible for heating costs. If you believe the denial was in error, file an appeal.

Is there assistance for air conditioning costs? Vermont’s LIHEAP program focuses primarily on heating, but some crisis assistance may be available for cooling in extreme heat situations, particularly for elderly or medically vulnerable households. Contact your Community Action Agency to ask about cooling assistance.

Do I have to pay this back? No. LIHEAP is a grant, not a loan. You never have to repay it.

How to Apply Right Now

The fastest way to get started is to call 2-1-1 from any phone in Vermont. Tell them you want to apply for fuel assistance, and they’ll connect you with your local Community Action Agency or provide contact information.

You can also find your local agency and apply online at dcf.vermont.gov/benefits/fuel-assistance. The site has links to all five Community Action Agencies and information about their application processes.

Here are the five agencies and the counties they serve:

Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO) - Serves Chittenden County - (802) 660-3455

NeighborWorks of Western Vermont - Serves Addison, Franklin, Grand Isle, and Lamoille Counties - (802) 524-6943

Southwestern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA) - Serves Bennington and Rutland Counties - (802) 775-0878

Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA) - Serves Windham and Windsor Counties - (802) 722-4575

Northeast Kingdom Community Action (NEKCA) - Serves Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans Counties - (802) 748-6095

When you contact your agency, have this information ready: household members and their Social Security numbers, income information for the past 30 days for everyone, a recent heating bill or fuel dealer statement, and your current address.

Don’t wait until you’re in crisis. If you’re a Vermont resident worried about heating costs this winter, apply now. This program exists to help people like you stay warm and safe, and the staff at Community Action Agencies are there to help you through the process.