Benefits · Emergency Aid
How to apply for Texas Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) — LIHEAP
Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) — Community Affairs Division; administered statewide through contracted local subrecipients (Community Action Agencies, non-profits, and BoCC departments) covering all 254 Texas counties
Who it's for
Texas's implementation of the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP), administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) through a statewide network of subrecipient agencies — Community Action Agencies, non-profits, and County BoCC departments — that collectively cover all 254 Texas counties. CEAP provides utility bill assistance, deposits, and energy crisis intervention (both summer cooling crisis and winter heating crisis) for low-income households. Eligibility is calculated at 150% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines — for 2026 that is $23,475/year for a single household and $45,600/year for a family of four. Senior-headed households receive application priority. To find the local subrecipient serving a specific Texas county, call TDHCA at 800-525-0657 or visit the TDHCA CEAP page. Each subrecipient has its own application window, document checklist, and operating hours; some operate appointment-only systems with limited weekly intake slots.
CEAP is administered through a statewide network of subrecipient agencies — the local subrecipient for a given county may be a Community Action Agency, a non-profit (like Catholic Charities or BakerRipley in Harris County), or a county BoCC department. Each subrecipient operates a first-come-first-served program with potentially limited weekly intake slots and seasonal application windows — applicants should call TDHCA at 800-525-0657 or check the TDHCA CEAP subrecipient directory to identify their local agency. Summer cooling crisis season typically runs April-September; winter heating crisis season runs October-March. Texas climate makes summer cooling assistance especially relevant for seniors at risk of heat-related illness. CEAP funds typically exhaust mid-fiscal-year — apply EARLY in each application window.
What you'll need
- Proof of all household income for the prior 30-90 days (Social Security award letter, pension statement, pay stubs, SSI award letter)
- Current energy bill and any past-due notices
- Photo identification for the head of household
- Proof of Texas residency (utility bill, lease, or government correspondence)
- Documentation of household members and ages (especially seniors, disabled, children under 6 for priority)
- For crisis assistance: shutoff notice OR documentation of energy crisis (summer/winter)
Where to apply
Apply online: official application
By phone: 800-525-0657
Renewals
up to multiple benefits per program year depending on the local subrecipient (regular + summer crisis + winter crisis)
Not sure if you qualify? Run a free check first.
Find my benefitsNot legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.