Tennessee Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Tennessee LIHEAP one-time utility support administered through THDA and local agencies across all 95 counties.
Status Update (February 2026)
THDA currently states for the 2025-2026 LIHEAP period:
- online applications opened November 1, 2025 at 8:00 AM CST,
- LIHEAP benefit range is $174-$750, depending on household energy burden,
- LIHEAP is one-time assistance while funds remain available.
How Tennessee LIHEAP Works
Tennessee LIHEAP is federally funded and administered through THDA with a network of local agencies serving all 95 counties.
This is not an open-ended monthly entitlement. It is generally one-time support intended to offset heating/cooling burden and crisis risk.
Eligibility Basics
THDA materials indicate baseline eligibility at or below 150% of federal poverty standards, with local administration handling intake and verification.
Priority is commonly directed toward households with elderly, disabled, or young children and higher energy burden profiles.
Required Documentation (Typical)
- household ID and roster
- income verification for household members
- utility account documentation
- Social Security or required identifiers per local instructions
- any crisis or disconnection documentation if urgent support is requested
How to Apply
- Use THDA LIHEAP portal or local agency channels.
- Confirm your service county and intake process.
- Submit complete documentation package.
- Track status and respond quickly to follow-up requests.
- Verify utility posting after approval.
Common Mistakes
- Waiting until funds are nearly exhausted.
- Applying without complete utility-account documentation.
- Not confirming local agency-specific intake requirements.
- Assuming recurring monthly support.
- Missing follow-up deadlines after initial submission.
Practical Preparation Tip
Before starting the application, build one file with utility bills, proof of income, and household identity records. Most LIHEAP delays come from missing document fragments rather than eligibility failure.
County Agency Follow-Through
Because local agencies handle intake, response timelines can differ by county. After submission, proactively check status and ask whether any additional verification is required before funds can post to your utility account. Waiting passively can cost valuable days in high-demand periods.
Budget Planning While Pending
LIHEAP is typically one-time support, so households should still plan for remaining balance obligations. Coordinate with your utility on payment arrangements while the application is in process to reduce disconnect risk if posting occurs later than expected.
Priority-Household Consideration
THDA guidance indicates priority focus for certain vulnerable households. If your household includes elderly members, people with disabilities, or young children, flag that during intake and provide supporting documentation early so local agencies can evaluate priority status without extra follow-up cycles.
One-Time Grant Planning
THDA describes LIHEAP as one-time support for the program period, so households should plan for remaining utility obligations after the credit posts. If your balance is still high, contact your provider immediately about payment arrangements rather than waiting for another LIHEAP award that may not be available in the same cycle.
Track your application date, approval date, and vendor posting date in one timeline. This makes it easier to resolve posting delays with local agencies and utility providers.
Official Sources
- THDA LIHEAP page: https://thda.org/help-for-homeowners/low-income-home-energy-assistance-program-liheap/
- THDA Energy Assistance overview: https://thda.org/help-for-homeowners/energy-assistance-programs/
- THDA FAQ (LIHEAP eligibility summary): https://thda.org/faq-2/