Percent of Poverty Guidelines for LIHEAP Components

[Last updated: January 5, 2024]

Note: The LIHEAP statute  (Section 2605(b)(2)(b) of Public Law 97- 35) established 150 percent of the poverty guidelines(FPG) as a maximum income level allowed in determining LIHEAP eligibility, except where 60 percent of a state's median income (SMI) is higher. Effective in FY 1995, income eligibility criteria for LIHEAP may not be set lower than 110 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines, but priority may be given to households with the highest energy costs or needs in relation to income. The federal government sets the poverty guidelines in February of every year and publishes them in the Federal Register.

States may adopt the year's new guidelines at any time between the date of publication in the Federal Register and the first day of the next fiscal year or by the beginning of the grantee's fiscal year, whichever is later. For LIHEAP, the majority of states use the prior year guidelines until the first day of the next fiscal year in order to avoid changing guidelines in the middle of their program year. Most states start their new fiscal year October 1; however, a few states start theirs July 1 and those states, along with several that operate summer cooling programs, adopt the most recent guidelines in June or July.

Tables: Income guidelines, optional in FFY 2023 and mandatory in FFY 2024.

The Percent of Poverty Table below shows the percent of federal poverty guidelines (FPG) or state's median income (SMI) used by states in determining eligibility for LIHEAP components in FY 2024. Although states can have a different poverty level for each component (crisis, cooling and weatherization) the majority use the same poverty level for all components.

State Heat Cool Crisis Wx Comment
Alabama
150 FPG
150 FPG
200 FPG
 
Alaska
 
150 FPG
200 FPG
 
American Samoa   150 FPG      
Arizona
60 SMI
60 SMI
For Heating, Cooling, and Crisis: 150 FPG for households with 9+ members
Arkansas
60 SMI
60 SMI
For Heating, Cooling, and Crisis: 150 FPG for households with 7+ members. There is also an asset test.
California
60 SMI
60 SMI
60 SMI
 
Colorado
 
60 SMI
60 SMI
 
Connecticut
 
60 SMI
60 SMI
 
Delaware
60 SMI
60 SMI
60 SMI
 
Dist. of Columbia
60 SMI
60 SMI
60 SMI
 
Florida
60 SMI
60 SMI
For Heating, Cooling, and Crisis: 150 FPG for households with 9+ members
Georgia
60 SMI
60 SMI
 
Hawaii
150 FPG
150 FPG
 
Idaho
 
60 SMI
For Heating and Crisis: 150 FPG for households with 8+ members
Illinois
 
200 FPG
200 FPG
For Heating, Cooling, and Crisis: 60 SMI for households with 11-14 members; 150 FPG for households with 15+ members
Indiana
60 SMI
60 SMI
 
Iowa
 
200 FPG
200 FPG
 
Kansas
 
150 FPG
200 FPG
 
Kentucky
130 FPG
130 FPG
200 FPG
 
Louisiana
60 SMI
60 SMI
 
Maine
 
60 SMI
60 SMI
For all program components: 150 FPG for households with 11 or more members
Maryland
175 FPG
175 FPG
200 FPG
For Heating, Cooling, and Crisis: 200 FPG for households with 1+  members aged 67+
Massachusetts
 
60 SMI
60 SMI
 
Michigan
 
200 FPG
 
Minnesota
 
50 SMI
For Wx: 200 FPG for households with 7+ members
Mississippi
60 SMI
60 SMI
 
 
Missouri
60 SMI
60 SMI
 
Montana
 
60 SMI
60 SMI

For Heating & Crisis: 150 FPG for households with 9+ members

For Wx: 200 FPG for households with 3+ members

Nebraska
150 FPG
150 FPG
 
Nevada
150 FPG
150 FPG
150 FPG
 
New Hampshire
 
60 SMI
60 SMI
 
New Jersey
60 SMI
60 SMI
60 SMI
 
New Mexico
150 FPG
150 FPG
200 FPG
 
New York
60 SMI
60 SMI
60 SMI
For all program components: 150 FPG for households with 13+ members
North Carolina
150 FPG
 
North Dakota
60 SMI
60 SMI
60 SMI
 
Ohio
 
60 SMI
 
Oklahoma
130 FPG
130 FPG
200 FPG
Households that received other LIHEAP benefits receive Wx first
Oregon
60 SMI
60 SMI
 
Pennsylvania
 
150 FPG
 
Rhode Island
 
60 SMI
60 SMI
 
South Carolina
60 SMI
60 SMI
200 FPG
 
South Dakota
 
200 FPG
 
SD's eligibility criteria differ for each household size between 1 and 10 members: see table below.
Tennessee
60 SMI
60 SMI
 
Texas
60 SMI
60 SMI
60 SMI
For all program components: TX uses the greater of either 60 SMI or 150 FPG depending on household size. Currently, 150 FPG exceeds 60 SMI for households with 9+ members.
Utah
150 FPG
150 FPG
150 FPG
 
Vermont
 
60 SMI
60 SMI
 
Virginia
150 FPG
150 FPG
 
Washington
 
125 FPG
For Wx: WA uses the greater of either 60 SMI or 200 FPG depending on household size. Currently, 200 FPG exceeds 60 SMI for households with 8+ members
West Virginia
60 SMI
60 SMI
 
Wisconsin
 
60 SMI
60 SMI
 
Wyoming
 
60 SMI
60 SMI
 

Source: FY 2024 State LIHEAP Plans

2023/2024 Federal Poverty Guidelines for a Family Size of Four
Poverty Level
100%
110%
125%
150%
175%
200%
48 contiguous states and D.C. $30,000 $33,000 $37,500 $45,000 $52,500 $60,000
Alaska $37,500 $41,250 $46,875 $56,250 $65,625 $75,000
Hawaii $34,500 $37,950 $43,125 $51,750 $60,375 $69,000