How to get help paying your heating bills this year

The U.S. Energy Information Administration had some stark news on Wednesday about heating bills this winter.

The group said consumers should expect to pay more this winter than last for their heating costs, due to colder weather.

Propane costs are projected to go up by 54%, heating oil will increase by 43% and natural gas will be 30% higher. Electric bills will have the smallest increase at 6% compared to last winter.

>> Read more trending news

The increasing costs may strain the wallets of those who are already being hit by a pandemic-impacted economy.

>>Previous coverage: Winter heating bills expected to rise, feds say

But there could be help available.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, will help eligible low-income households with heating and cooling costs.

You may already be eligible if you already get benefits like SNAP, SSI or TANF, according to Benefits.gov.

You must have an annual household income that is below a certain amount before taxes, depending on the size of your family.

For example, a family of four must make $39,750 or less to qualify.

You can find out the limits here.

Once you have determined your eligibility, you apply through your state.

Find your state below:

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

Washington, D.C.

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming





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