District of Columbia energy assistance
In the District of Columbia, a household of 4 qualifies for LIHEAP with gross income up to $121,200 a year (FY27 programme, DC Department of Energy and Environment).
- Programme
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), with the Utility Discount Program (UDP)
- Run by
- DC Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE), Utility Affordability Administration
- Programme year
- FY27: October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027
- Also called
- DC LIHEAP, DOEE energy assistance, Utility Discount Program, UDP
- Official page
- doee.dc.gov/liheap
District of Columbia income limits, FY27
Maximum household gross income by household size: 60% of state median income.
| Household size | Year |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $63,024 |
| 2 people | $82,416 |
| 3 people | $101,808 |
| 4 people | $121,200 |
| 5 people | $140,592 |
| 6 people | $159,984 |
| 7 people | $163,620 |
| 8 people | $167,256 |
Above six people, DOEE adds three percentage points per person to 132% and applies that to the four-person limit: 7 people is 135% of $121,200, 8 people 138%.
DOEE publishes the FY27 income table as an image on its LIHEAP page; its FY27 benefit table (a Word file) repeats the same limits. The FAQ PDF still linked from that page is the FY24 edition and shows older, lower limits. Households where someone receives SNAP, TANF or SSI are counted as income-eligible, but still have to apply.
How much you can get
The regular benefit is a one-time payment of $250 to $1,800 for the fiscal year, paid to the utility or fuel company. It depends on household size, income, heating fuel and whether the home is a single-family house or an apartment. The highest amounts on DOEE's FY27 table are $1,800 for gas or electric heat and $1,500 for oil; households whose heat is included in the rent get $250.
Source: DOEE, LIHEAP page; DOEE's LIHEAP Regular Benefits Table for FY 2027.
When to apply
Online applications for FY27 opened October 20, 2026. From November 10, 2026, 311 books in-person appointments at DOEE's two service centers, which start seeing applicants on November 17, 2026. Walk-ins are not accepted. Benefits are paid once per fiscal year and depend on funding.
Source: DOEE, LIHEAP page.
Emergency and crisis help
Emergency help of up to $750 is available after the regular benefit if the household still owes $250 or more and its service has been disconnected or its fuel tank is at 5% or less. Bring the disconnection notice or a letter from Pepco or Washington Gas. Emergencies are seen by appointment; DOEE does not take emergency walk-ins. A household can receive both the regular and the emergency benefit in the same year.
Source: DC FY27 LIHEAP State Plan, page 14; DOEE, LIHEAP page, page 14 (our copy, PDF).
How to apply
- Online. Apply on DOEE's portal and upload every document before you submit. dc-ecosproduction.azurewebsites.us/login.aspx
- Phone. Call 311 or (202) 737-4404 to book an appointment or check your application.
- In person, by appointment. 1207 Taylor Street NW (Wards 1–6) or 2100 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE (Wards 6, 7 and 8).
- Mail. Send the LIHEAP-UDP application to the Department of Energy & Environment, Attn: Utility Affordability Administration, 1200 First Street NE, 5th Floor, Washington, DC 20002. Download the form (PDF)
Source: DOEE, LIHEAP page.
What to bring
- Unexpired government-issued photo ID for the applicant
- Recent Washington Gas, Pepco and DC Water bills
- Proof of current income for everyone in the household
- Social Security cards for everyone in the household
- A disconnection notice, or a utility letter saying service was cut off, if that applies
Source: DOEE, LIHEAP page.
Also worth knowing
One application covers LIHEAP and the Utility Discount Program (UDP), and LIHEAP-eligible households are approved for UDP. UDP's FY27 limit is higher, 80% of area median income ($132,900 a year for four), and it takes up to $475 a year off electric bills ($300 without electric heat), up to $276 off winter gas bills and more than $962 a year off water and sewer bills.
Source: DOEE, Utility Discount Program and UDP Income Guidelines for FY27.
Only DOEE can accept LIHEAP applications; do not hand one to a utility or a third party.
Source: DOEE, LIHEAP page.
DOEE also points to the Pepco Customer Relief Fund (with the Salvation Army), Washington Gas's Washington Area Fuel Fund, and DC Water's SPLASH programme (with the Greater Washington Urban League).
Source: DOEE, LIHEAP page.
Official documents
Unchanged copies of DC Department of Energy and Environment’s documents, hosted here so they stay reachable. Each links to the original on the agency’s site.
- DC LIHEAP State Plan, FY27 (Detailed Model Plan, final) PDF · FY27
DC's plan for October 2026 to September 2027: eligibility, benefits, the $750 emergency maximum and weatherization.
Original on the agency site - LIHEAP-UDP application (rev. January 20, 2026) PDF · Current form
One application for LIHEAP and the Utility Discount Program, for mailing in.
Original on the agency site
Not published yet, or not found
- A closing date for FY27 applications (DOEE has not published one)
- Cooling-season dates and amounts
- The FY27 income table as a document (DOEE posts it as an image)
Figures checked against the official documents on November 1, 2026. Programmes can change amounts during the season when federal funding changes; the agency’s own page is the final word.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DC LIHEAP income limit for FY27?
60% of state median income: $63,024 a year for one person, $101,808 for three and $121,200 for a household of four, for October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027 (DOEE).
When does DC energy assistance open?
Online applications opened October 20, 2026. Call 311 from November 10, 2026 to book an in-person appointment; appointments start November 17. DOEE does not take walk-ins.
How much does DC LIHEAP pay?
A one-time regular benefit of $250 to $1,800, depending on household size, income, fuel and type of home, plus emergency help of up to $750 if you are disconnected or almost out of fuel and still owe $250 or more.
Where are the DOEE energy assistance offices?
1207 Taylor Street NW for Wards 1 to 6, and 2100 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE for Wards 6, 7 and 8. Both work by appointment, booked through 311 or (202) 737-4404.
Do I need a separate application for the Utility Discount Program?
No. The LIHEAP-UDP application covers both, and households approved for LIHEAP are also approved for UDP.