If you need help paying an energy bill, are facing a shutoff, or need somewhere cool during extreme heat, start with your state or territory’s LIHEAP office for bill assistance and use 211, a cooling-center directory, or local public agencies to find air conditioning. Programs and locations are managed locally, so confirm eligibility, current availability, and access details before you apply or travel.
Get help with an energy bill through LIHEAP
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is the main federal starting point for help with heating or cooling bills. It may also provide emergency services during an energy crisis. Eligibility and application rules are set locally, so applying does not guarantee approval, a particular payment, or immediate help.
- Open USAGov’s Get help with energy bills page and follow its link to the LIHEAP office for your state or territory.
- Ask the administering office whether you qualify, what documents it requires, and whether you can apply online or must apply in person. USAGov says application methods vary by office.
- If the need is urgent, ask specifically about crisis or emergency assistance, processing time, and whether funds are currently available. These details are not uniform nationwide.
USAGov describes LIHEAP eligibility as income-based, but does not give one national income limit, benefit amount, deadline, or guarantee that funding will be available. Its energy-bill page was last updated January 13, 2026; check the administering office for current terms.
Consider weatherization for longer-term energy costs
The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is a separate option for home improvements intended to improve energy efficiency. Contact your state WAP office through the same USAGov energy-bill page to ask about eligibility and how to apply. Weatherization is not a substitute for emergency cooling or payment of a current bill.
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If your power may be shut off
Contact your utility promptly and ask what options are available for your account, including payment arrangements or any applicable protections. Also check the current policy for your state. Shutoff rules can vary by state and provider and may depend on factors such as weather, age, or disability; there is no single nationwide heat-related shutoff rule established here. The USAGov utility shutoff guidance can help you find state-specific information.
If you rely on powered medical equipment or refrigerated medicine, contact your clinician and utility about a backup plan before an outage occurs. CDC advises planning for these needs during power outages and not stopping or changing medicine without speaking with a doctor.
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Find a cooling center or another air-conditioned place
CDC recommends calling 211, checking the National Center for Healthy Housing’s Cooling Centers by State page, or contacting your local health department or emergency management agency. In most parts of the United States, dialing 211 connects callers with local social services and referrals; call 211 where available.
If you cannot locate a designated cooling center, ask your local health department about an air-conditioned shelter or other local options. A public library or shopping mall may offer temporary respite, but do not assume it is open to everyone or operating extended hours during a heat event. Confirm access and hours locally.
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Call ahead with these questions
- Is the location open now, and when does it close? Does it open only during a heat alert or other activation?
- Is it free and open to the public, or are registration or eligibility rules in place?
- Can you enter with a mobility device or caregiver?
- Are pets allowed? Is drinking water available? Can you charge an essential medical device?
- Is transportation offered, and what route is safest in the current heat?
These are points to verify, not services every site provides. CDC’s cooling-center guidance emphasizes publicizing locations and describing their offerings, but operating hours, admission, transportation, accessibility, and other services are determined locally.
Choose an option you can reach and use
When several locations are available, compare the route and safe transportation, confirmed hours and current-event activation, accessibility and admission conditions, and whether the site can accommodate your relevant needs, such as caregiving, pets, or powered medical equipment. Call the site or the local agency listing it if any detail is unclear.
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- Portable AC: Take this personal air conditioner (16.5” x 14.06” x 27.09) in rooms up to 550 sq. ft. Stay cool in the hot summer months and sleep well with this BLACK+DECKER ac unit for bedroom
- Smart AC with Voice Control: This smart air conditioner allows Wi-Fi connectivity and can be controlled using our mobile app available on iOS and Google Play stores, and voice controlled by Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant
- Follow Me Remote: Our portable AC unit comes with a full function remote control that features a FOLLOW ME function, which allows the remote to act as a thermostat for precise temperature control
- Installation Kit: When it comes to fans that blow cold air, this indoor ac unit includes an easy-to-install window kit. A large, vented airflow outlet ushers in cool air
Reduce heat risk while you seek help
CDC’s heat-health guidance, dated July 20, 2026, recommends checking local HeatRisk, staying cool, drinking and refilling water, and checking on family, neighbors, and pets. If you are traveling to a cooling location, carry water if you can; a reusable bottle can help you refill, but it does not replace access to drinking water or a cool place.
Do not rely on an indoor fan when the room is above 90°F: CDC cautions that a fan at that temperature can increase body temperature. Possible signs of overheating include muscle cramping, unusually heavy sweating, shortness of breath, dizziness, headache, weakness, and nausea. Seek medical care for concerning symptoms; a cooling center is not medical care.
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