Last updated: July 28, 2026
If there is danger now: Leave the home and call 911 if you smell gas, see flames or smoke, hear a carbon monoxide alarm, or anyone has headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, chest pain, or confusion. Call the gas utility from outside. Do not use an oven, charcoal grill, camp stove, or generator to heat the home. The CDC winter guide and CPSC heating tips explain the main fire and carbon monoxide risks.
Bottom line: If your heat is out during dangerous cold, start with your local Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP, and call 211. Say that you have a heating crisis and ask whether furnace repair, replacement, fuel delivery, reconnection, a warming center, or temporary safe heat is available. Homeowners should also apply for weatherization and local emergency repair programs. Rural homeowners may qualify for a USDA repair loan or, in narrower cases, a grant. Renters should report the outage to the landlord in writing and contact local housing or code enforcement if the landlord does not act.
There is no single national furnace replacement grant. Help is split among state, tribal, local, utility, weatherization, rural housing, aging, and nonprofit programs. Crisis aid may restore heat now, while another program handles a larger repair later. Apply to more than one program when allowed.
Contents
Quick Help Paths
| Your situation | Start here | Type of help | Main limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| No heat in dangerous cold | Utility emergency line, local LIHEAP office, and 211 | Crisis benefit, fuel, vendor payment, repair service, or referral | Repair coverage and funding vary locally |
| Unsafe or failed furnace | LIHEAP crisis office and weatherization provider | Benefit or direct weatherization service | Weatherization is usually not same-day |
| Very-low-income rural homeowner | USDA Rural Development | 1% loan; limited grant for qualifying owners age 62 or older | Underwriting and inspection take time |
| Owner needs major replacement | City or county housing department | Grant, deferred loan, forgivable loan, regular loan, or repair service | Programs may be closed or have waitlists |
| Heat pump upgrade | State, tribal, or utility rebate program | Rebate or utility incentive | Often requires approval before work starts |
| Renter has no heat | Landlord, code enforcement, local legal aid, or housing agency | Landlord repair duty, enforcement, or tenant assistance | Rights and deadlines vary by state and city |
| Disaster damaged the system | Insurance and declared-disaster programs | Insurance benefit or disaster assistance | Ordinary wear is not disaster damage |
What to Do in the First Hour
- Check for immediate danger. Leave if you smell gas, a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, the furnace is smoking, or anyone is sick. Do not search for the source yourself.
- Call the utility. Ask whether there is an outage, shutoff, fuel problem, or unsafe equipment condition. A utility may inspect a gas concern but usually does not repair a private furnace.
- Make only basic checks. Confirm the thermostat is set to heat, replace its batteries if needed, and check one clearly labeled furnace breaker. Do not keep resetting it, open the burner area, bypass a safety switch, or attempt a fuel repair.
- Move vulnerable people. Older adults, infants, and people with serious health or mobility needs may need a warming center, shelter, hospital, hotel, or another safe home.
- Call crisis programs. Contact your local LIHEAP office and dial 211. Use the words “no heat,” “heating crisis,” and “life-threatening” when those words are true.
- Protect pipes safely. Open sink cabinet doors where plumbing is on an outside wall. Let a small stream of water run from an exposed pipe when local officials recommend it. Never use an open flame to thaw a pipe. See the Red Cross pipe guide.
- Document the problem. Record the indoor temperature, calls, case numbers, repair diagnosis, notices, and medical risks.
Using a space heater: Keep it at least 3 feet from bedding, curtains, furniture, and other items that can burn. Plug it directly into a wall outlet, not an extension cord or power strip. Turn it off before sleeping or leaving the room. A space heater is temporary safety support, not a substitute for repairing an unsafe heating system.
LIHEAP Crisis Help May Be the Fastest Program
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is federally funded but run by states, territories, Tribes, and local agencies. LIHEAP may help with heating bills, fuel delivery, reconnection, an energy crisis, weatherization, or minor energy-related home repair. Some local programs pay for furnace diagnosis, repair, or replacement. Others do not cover equipment at all.
Type of help: LIHEAP is a public benefit. The agency may pay a utility, fuel dealer, or approved repair company, or arrange service. It is generally not cash handed to the applicant and it is not a general home repair grant.
Who may qualify:
Each LIHEAP grantee sets its own income limit, documents, benefit amount, season, and crisis definition. Federal law allows limits up to the greater of 150% of the federal poverty level or 60% of state median income. Grantees may set lower limits and may use certain benefit categories. SSI, SNAP, TANF, or certain needs-tested veterans benefits may help establish eligibility in some places. Check the FY2026 LIHEAP guidance, then use your local office’s current table.
Agencies may prioritize young children, older adults, disabled residents, very-low-income households, high energy costs, or a documented health risk. Priority does not guarantee funding.
How to apply:
Use the official LIHEAP office locator. For help finding an office, call the National Energy Assistance Referral service at 1-866-674-6327, generally 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time, or use the LIHEAP screening page. The national line gives referrals; it does not approve benefits.
LIHEAP crisis call: “My home has no working heat, the indoor temperature is ___, and the household includes ___. Is this an energy crisis under your rules? Do you have furnace repair, replacement, fuel, reconnection, or temporary heating help? What must I submit today, and how should I mark the application as urgent?”
What the 18-hour and 48-hour rules mean:
Federal law says an eligible crisis household must receive some form of help that resolves the energy crisis within 48 hours after applying, or within 18 hours for an eligible life-threatening situation. Read the official LIHEAP crisis rule.
This does not promise a new furnace within 18 or 48 hours. The agency must first find the household eligible. The action may be fuel, reconnection, temporary placement, safe heat, or another step that resolves the immediate crisis. The timing rule may be waived during a disaster when compliance is impractical.
For a fuller explanation of crisis benefits and local variations, see our LIHEAP crisis guide.
Weatherization Can Repair or Replace Heating Equipment
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program, or WAP, helps eligible households lower energy use and improve safety. Local providers inspect the whole home and choose cost-effective work. Depending on the audit and local rules, work can include cleaning, tuning, repairing, or replacing heating equipment, along with air sealing, insulation, duct work, and ventilation.
Type of help: Weatherization is a direct service. An approved agency or contractor performs the work. The homeowner normally does not receive grant cash.
Who may qualify: Under DOE guidelines, households at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, or households receiving Supplemental Security Income, are considered income-eligible. A state may instead choose the LIHEAP standard of 60% of state median income. States also set priorities and may serve households with older adults, disabled residents, children, or high energy burdens first. Use DOE’s weatherization application page to find the state administrator.
Practical limit: WAP is active in 2026, but it is usually not same-day help. The provider verifies eligibility, inspects the home, completes an energy audit, approves the work, and schedules a contractor. Waitlists may be long. Major leaks, standing water, unsafe wiring, structural damage, mold, asbestos, pests, or other hazards can cause a deferral.
Ask whether LIHEAP and weatherization share an application and whether the provider has a separate heating repair or health-and-safety program. DOE lists possible work in its whole-house guide.
Local Repair Programs and USDA Rural Help
City and county emergency repair programs
Housing departments and nonprofit partners may use Community Development Block Grant, HOME, utility, state, or local money for owner-occupied repair. A failed furnace may qualify as a health or code problem. Search for “emergency home repair,” “owner-occupied rehabilitation,” “critical repair,” or “heating replacement” in your city or county.
Type of help: Local aid may be a grant, deferred loan, forgivable loan, low-interest loan, or repair service. A loan may place a lien on the home and become due after a sale, refinance, rental, title transfer, or early move.
HUD gives housing funds to local governments but does not take individual CDBG repair applications. The CDBG program page explains the local structure. Use HUD’s home improvement contacts and our guide to finding local repair programs.
Local housing call: “I own and live in a home in ___ County. The main heating system has failed and the home has no safe heat. Do you have an emergency repair, owner rehabilitation, CDBG, HOME, or critical systems program? Is the help a grant or loan, does it place a lien, and may I apply before choosing a contractor?”
USDA Section 504 for rural homeowners
The USDA Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants program may help very-low-income owner-occupants in eligible rural areas. Loans can repair or modernize a home. Grants are limited to removing health and safety hazards.
- Loan: Up to $40,000, fixed at 1%, with a term up to 20 years.
- Grant: Up to $10,000 lifetime for an eligible owner age 62 or older who cannot repay a loan.
- Combined aid: Up to $50,000 under regular rules.
- Not instant help: USDA must check the address, income, ownership, credit availability, repair scope, and funding.
For qualifying damage in a presidentially declared disaster area, the grant limit can reach $15,000 and combined aid $55,000. A grant must be repaid if the home is sold within three years. Applications are year-round, subject to funding. Verify terms on the USDA Section 504 page and our USDA repair guide.
If a storm, flood, wildfire, or other declared disaster damaged the heating system, contact your insurer before discarding equipment. Ordinary age, wear, and mechanical breakdown are usually not disaster damage. See our FEMA repair guide for the separate disaster path.
Rebates, Utility Programs, and Financing
A rebate can lower a planned replacement cost, but usually will not solve tonight’s emergency. Before signing, check your state energy office, Tribe, and utilities. Ask about approved contractors, equipment rules, audits, income proof, and approval before purchase.
The federal Home Energy Rebates program is operating only in select states, territories, and Tribal areas. The HOMES program can provide up to $8,000 for qualifying whole-home projects based on energy savings. The High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate program can provide up to $14,000 per household across eligible upgrades, including up to $8,000 for a qualifying heat pump, subject to income, project cost, local program design, and availability. Check the current rebate program status. These are rebates, not automatic national grants.
Federal tax credit change for 2026: The federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit is not available for a furnace, boiler, central air conditioner, or heat pump placed in service after December 31, 2025. A qualifying item placed in service in 2025 may still be claimed on a 2025 return if all rules were met. Use the current IRS credit page, not an older contractor advertisement or outdated energy page.
Utility help may be a rebate, on-bill financing, service plan, payment arrangement, or referral. Ask about repayment, interest, liens, account charges, and what happens if you move.
Home equity, personal, contractor, credit-card, and “buy now, pay later” financing is private debt, not assistance. Compare the annual percentage rate, total payments, fees, collateral, and monthly payment. Do not let emergency pressure hide the real cost.
Renters, Older Adults, Disabled People, and Tribal Households
If you rent:
Report no heat to the landlord at once by phone and in writing. Keep a copy, record the temperature, and save photos and notices. Ask when a licensed repair company will arrive. Do not replace the landlord’s furnace without written permission and a reimbursement agreement.
If the landlord does not act, call code enforcement, the health department, tenant legal aid, or a fair housing office. Local law controls temperatures, deadlines, rent withholding, repair-and-deduct rights, and court options. Do not withhold rent or move based only on general internet advice.
Residents of HUD-insured or HUD-assisted multifamily housing can call the HUD Multifamily Housing Complaint Line at 1-800-685-8470, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The HUD complaint page explains the service. Public housing and voucher tenants should also contact their local public housing agency.
Renter call: “I reported no heat on ___ at ___. The indoor temperature is ___, and the household includes ___. When will a licensed repair person arrive? Please send the plan in writing. If the system cannot be restored today, what safe temporary housing or heating will you provide?”
Older adults and disabled residents:
The Eldercare Locator connects older adults and caregivers to the local Area Agency on Aging. Call or text 1-800-677-1116. Local help may include emergency referrals, small repair funds, home safety services, transportation, or caregiver support. It is a referral service, not a guaranteed furnace grant.
Tell intake staff about disability, medical equipment, limited mobility, home oxygen, or inability to travel. LIHEAP requires a way for physically infirm low-income applicants to apply from home or reach an application site. Ask for a reasonable accommodation.
Tribal households and manufactured homes:
A Tribe may run LIHEAP, weatherization, housing repair, or energy rebates. Check both tribal and state programs because service areas may differ.
Manufactured homes may qualify, but programs may ask for the title, land lease, park approval, unit age, foundation status, and proof of primary residence. Ask before paying for an estimate.
Documents to Gather and How to Apply
Do not wait for a perfect file before making the crisis call. Ask what can be submitted later. These items can prevent delays.
| Document | Why it may be needed |
|---|---|
| Photo ID and Social Security details | Identity and household verification; provide only through an official process |
| Recent income proof for all household members | Income eligibility and benefit calculation |
| Benefit letters | SSI, SNAP, TANF, veterans, disability, or pension verification |
| Heating and electric bills | Account, fuel type, energy burden, shutoff, or reconnection need |
| Lease, deed, tax bill, or manufactured-home title | Rental or ownership status |
| Repair diagnosis and written estimate | Cause of failure, repair scope, and cost |
| Photos and temperature log | Urgency, damage, and living conditions |
| Medical or disability statement | Health priority or accommodation request when relevant |
| Insurance decision | Whether another payer covers the damage |
- Call the utility, LIHEAP office, and 211 on the same day.
- Ask each office whether it handles crisis heating repair or only bill assistance.
- Apply through the official state, tribal, county, city, or nonprofit intake system.
- Record the case number, worker, missing documents, deadline, and next step.
- Do not hire a contractor or start work until the program says in writing that it is allowed.
- Apply for weatherization and longer-term repair help even if a crisis program provides temporary heat.
Our repair application guide explains inspections, estimates, contractor approval, and common document problems.
211 or nonprofit call: “My household has no safe heat in ___ County. I have already contacted ___. Please look for a warming center, emergency furnace repair, fuel delivery, temporary heater, hotel help, weatherization, aging services, disability support, and nonprofit repair funds.”
What Happens After You Apply
An emergency office may confirm the crisis, household, income, utility account, fuel, housing status, and repair need. A program may require its own contractor and refuse reimbursement for unapproved work.
For larger projects, expect an inspection, audit, bids, permit review, contractor scheduling, and final inspection. Programs may require clear title, current taxes, insurance, and no major hazard outside the work scope. Ask whether unpaid taxes, a reverse mortgage, life estate, heirs’ property, land contract, or manufactured-home title affects eligibility.
Before signing, ask:
- Is this a grant, service, rebate, or loan?
- Will a lien be recorded?
- When does repayment begin?
- What event makes the balance due?
- Who chooses and pays the contractor?
- What warranty covers the work?
If Help Is Delayed or Denied
Ask for the reason in writing. Common reasons include no funds, missing documents, excess income, wrong service area, an uncovered repair, unclear ownership, or unsafe conditions that block work.
- Ask which document or rule caused the decision.
- Ask about an appeal, reconsideration, supervisor review, or new funding cycle.
- Ask whether temporary crisis help is available while a repair decision is pending.
- Try the weatherization provider, housing department, USDA office, utility, aging agency, Tribe, and nonprofits separately.
- Call 211 again and give the exact denial reason so the specialist can search for a different fit.
Faith groups and volunteers may offer labor, donated equipment, small payments, or referrals. Coverage is local and often limited by age, disability, veteran status, ownership, or agency referral. See our volunteer repair guide.
Watch for emergency repair scams. Do not pay an application fee for LIHEAP or a government grant. Verify the company name, license, insurance, address, and estimate. Be cautious when a “local” call center cannot name the company or technician. Do not sign a blank contract, deed, mortgage, or financing form.
The FTC repair warning describes fake local listings and reviews. Check the state contractor license and get program approval before work begins.
A simple three-call plan: First call the local LIHEAP crisis office. Second call 211 for warming and local repair help. Third call the weatherization or city/county housing office for the larger repair. If you rent, replace the third call with your landlord and local code office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is LIHEAP a nationwide furnace replacement grant?
No. LIHEAP is a federal block grant run by states, Tribes, territories, and local agencies. Some local programs pay for heating equipment repair or replacement, while others provide only bill, fuel, reconnection, or crisis help. Apply through the office serving your address and ask about equipment rules.
How fast must LIHEAP respond to a heating crisis?
Federal law calls for some form of help that resolves an eligible crisis within 48 hours, or within 18 hours for an eligible life-threatening situation. This is not a promise that a new furnace will be installed in that time. The action may be fuel, reconnection, temporary placement, safe heat, or an emergency service step.
Can renters get furnace repair help?
Renters may qualify for LIHEAP bill or crisis help, but the landlord usually owns the furnace and is responsible for the repair under local law and the lease. Report the outage in writing. Contact code enforcement, legal aid, a housing agency, or HUD when appropriate if the landlord does not act.
Can weatherization replace a furnace?
Sometimes. A weatherization provider may clean, tune, repair, or replace heating equipment when an energy audit and local rules support the work. Weatherization is a direct service, not cash, and it is usually not fast enough for a same-day heating crisis.
Is USDA Section 504 help a grant?
Most Section 504 assistance is a 1% repair loan for an eligible very-low-income rural owner-occupant. The grant is limited to an eligible owner age 62 or older who cannot repay a loan, and grant money must remove health and safety hazards. Funding, inspection, and underwriting rules apply.
Is there a federal furnace or heat pump tax credit in 2026?
No federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit is available for property placed in service after December 31, 2025. A qualifying 2025 installation may still be claimed on a 2025 return. State, Tribal, local, and utility rebates may still be available in 2026.
About This Guide
How we researched this page: We checked official federal, state, local, tribal, utility, and trusted nonprofit sources linked in this article. We reviewed program names, service areas, eligibility rules, application routes, contact details, and whether each option is a grant, loan, rebate, service, or referral.
Our role: HomeRepairGrants.org is an independent information website. We do not run these programs, accept applications, choose recipients, or guarantee funding or approval.
Local changes: Funding, waitlists, service areas, income limits, and application periods can change. Confirm current details with the organization that runs the program before you apply, sign papers, pay money, or start repair work.
Corrections: See something outdated or incorrect? Email info@homerepairgrants.org and include the page URL and a reliable source when possible.
Disclaimer: This guide provides general information. It is not legal, financial, tax, insurance, medical, disability-rights, contractor, or government-agency advice.
Last verified: July 28, 2026 | Next review: October 28, 2026