Help With Your Electric Bill in Maine: Home Energy Assistance Program
Home Energy Assistance Program in Maine is not open all year. Here are the dates, what it pays, and who to call today if your power is about to be cut off.
- Applications
- Aug – May
- Pays
- Not stated
- Shut-off help
- Yes, crisis track
- How to apply
- Online · Phone · In person
The season
- Opens Augapply on day one — it is first come, first served
- Money runs outmost states stop before the closing date
- Closes Maythe published end of the season
When can I apply for help with my energy bill in Maine?
HEAP 2026-2027 season: applications OPEN since 3 August 2026 and continue until funds are exhausted or 29 May 2027 — one of the earliest openings in the country, and open right now. ECIP (crisis) 2026-2027 season runs 1 November 2026 to 30 April 2027 — not yet open. MaineHousing urges applying as early as possible.
Dates move every year and most states stop taking applications when the money runs out, not on the closing date. Checked Sep 10, 2026 — confirm before you count on it.
My power is about to be cut off in Maine. What do I do today?
Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP), for an extremely low supply of heating fuel. Two steps: fill out a HEAP application first, then contact your local CAA to be assessed for crisis assistance. ECIP season is 1 Nov 2026 to 30 Apr 2027, so on 10 Sep 2026 crisis fuel help is NOT yet available — file the HEAP application now so you are ready. MaineHousing 1-800-452-4668 / (207) 626-4600, Maine Relay 711.
How do I apply for Home Energy Assistance Program in Maine?
Online at ecos.mainehousing.org, or by phone/in person with your local Community Action Agency (find it by ZIP on the HEAP page, or the full list at mainehousing.org/programs-services/energy/liheap-agency-contacts) — you call the CAA to set up an appointment. Some cases need an interview. Your application WILL be denied if any requested document is missing.
Who qualifies in Maine?
| Household size | Gross monthly income limit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $3,173 |
| 2 | $4,149 |
| 3 | $5,125 |
| 4 | $6,101 |
| 5 | $7,077 |
| 6 | $8,053 |
| 7 | $8,236 |
| 8 | $8,420 |
2026-2027 maximum gross household income, by household size, monthly / 3-month / annual: 1 $3,173 / $9,518 / $38,070 · 2 $4,149 / $12,446 / $49,784 · 3 $5,125 / $15,375 / $61,498 · 4 $6,101 / $18,303 / $73,213 · 5 $7,077 / $21,232 / $84,927 · 6 $8,053 / $24,160 / $96,641 · 7 $8,236 / $24,709 / $98,837 · 8 $8,420 / $25,259 / $101,033 · 9 $8,603 / $25,808 / $103,230 · 10 $8,786 / $26,357 / $105,426. Over 10 people, ask your CAA. If you are slightly over, you may be able to deduct part of what you paid in medical expenses.
How much does Home Energy Assistance Program pay?
Maine does not publish the benefit amounts on the page we read. It is paid to the utility, not to you, and depends on household size, income and fuel type.
What do I need to bring?
Names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers and proof of citizenship for everyone in the household; proof of gross household income (IRS 1040, W2s, 1099s, pay stubs or wage statements, profit and loss statements or self-employment proof, unemployment documentation, employer attestation, interest statements, court orders, lease agreements, tax filings, or a benefits eligibility letter); recent full copies of energy and utility bills showing usage; and the fuel you heat with (natural gas, oil, kerosene, propane, wood, pellets, biobricks, coal, corn, electricity).
Can they legally cut off my power in Maine right now?
Maine has the strongest rule in this batch. Under 35-A M.R.S. 718 the disconnection prohibition period runs 15 November to 15 April: electric and gas utilities may not disconnect a residential customer for non-payment WITHOUT prior approval from the Maine PUC's Consumer Assistance and Safety Division. It applies to all residential customers, not just low-income ones. Customers who contact their utility or the Commission and agree to reasonable monthly payments will not be disconnected.
This comes from the Maine utility commission, not from the energy assistance programme — they are different offices and only one of them publishes it.
Worth knowing in Maine
URL trap: mainehousing.org/programs-services/energy/energyhome now 404s; the live page is .../energy/energydetails/liheap. Two different calendars matter here — regular HEAP has been open since 3 Aug 2026, but crisis (ECIP) does not open until 1 Nov 2026.
One application, two bills
In most states the same office runs SNAP food benefits, and receiving one often makes the other automatic or faster. SNAP in Maine →
Read on mainehousing.org on Sep 10, 2026. Income limits are the ones Maine publishes itself: states choose between 150% of the federal poverty level and 60% of state median income, so copying from a neighbouring state gives the wrong answer. Last review Sep 10, 2026.
Checked by the PocketBoosters team against the official source. How we check this →
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