Texas Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP)

Status Update (February 2026)

TDHCA currently describes CEAP as Texas’s statewide LIHEAP-integrated utility-assistance program, delivered through subrecipients that cover all 254 counties.

TDHCA also publishes a 2026 LIHEAP State Plan (approved 2025-09-18), and its Community Affairs income-guidelines page lists CEAP eligibility at 150% of the federal poverty income guideline (FPIG) for program year 2026.

What CEAP Is Designed to Do

CEAP is intended to help low-income households:

meet immediate energy needs,
stabilize service during high-risk periods,
and reduce long-term burden through energy education and related supports.

Because intake is local, CEAP is best understood as a statewide framework with county-level execution.

2026 Income Context

TDHCA’s current income-guideline page shows CEAP at 150% FPIG, including examples such as:

household size 1: $23,940,
household size 4: $49,500,
household size 8: $83,580.

Local agencies still apply full program rules and documentation review, so these figures are a starting screen, not automatic approval.

TDHCA guidance notes these federal-poverty-based thresholds are used for CEAP processing effective in 2026 program operations. For households larger than eight, add the published incremental amount per additional household member in the current guideline table before screening.

Why Local Intake Strategy Matters

Most CEAP delays come from routing and document gaps, not from the concept of eligibility. The fastest approach is:

Find your assigned local subrecipient first,
Confirm current intake method and queue status,
Submit a complete packet on first pass,
Follow up on schedule until decision.

If your household has shutoff risk, disclose that immediately and ask for crisis-pathway handling where available.

Documents Commonly Needed

Government ID for adults,
household composition records,
current income proof,
utility bill and account information,
lease/occupancy documentation when requested.

Different subrecipients can request additional items, so always use your agency’s current checklist.

Common Mistakes

Applying to the wrong local provider for your county/service area.
Waiting until disconnection is imminent before starting intake.
Submitting partial income records that trigger avoidable rework.
Assuming one CEAP approval applies automatically to all utility accounts.

What to Do if You Are Denied

Ask the local subrecipient for the specific denial reason in writing and request the exact document or rule that controlled the decision. Many denials are procedural and can be corrected with cleaner income-period documentation or corrected household composition records.

If your household is in active shutoff risk, say that clearly in every follow-up and ask whether crisis intake or priority handling applies under local CEAP process. Keep all utility notices and submission timestamps together so you can show urgency and prior compliance quickly.

Annual Recheck Habit

Even if your household qualified before, recheck the current year’s CEAP income table and local-document checklist before submitting a renewal request. CEAP is administered locally, and subrecipient intake requirements can change even when statewide program goals stay the same.

Practical Tip for Faster Processing

Build a single PDF packet before first contact: ID, household roster, income backup, and latest utility statements. A complete packet usually shortens cycle time and reduces back-and-forth during peak seasons.

Official Sources

TDHCA CEAP page: https://www.tdhca.texas.gov/comprehensive-energy-assistance-program-ceap
TDHCA Help for Texans portal: https://www.tdhca.texas.gov/help-texans
TDHCA Community Affairs income guidelines: https://www.tdhca.texas.gov/community-affairs-income-guidelines
CEAP local delivery note (all 254 counties): https://www.tdhca.texas.gov/comprehensive-energy-assistance-program-ceap