Maryland LIHEAP income limits.

Maryland LIHEAP income limits by household size

Maryland uses a sliding scale: 39% of state median income for a household of one, rising to 60% for households of 11 or more. Larger households therefore get a higher share of the median. Maryland's sliding percentage (39% for one person up to 60% for eleven or more) applied to the federal 60% state-median-income table for FFY 2026. Dollar figures are calculated, not copied from a state table.

No FFY 2027 column: this state had not posted one in the sources read, and the state median income estimates it needs were not found.

When Maryland LIHEAP is open

• Heating assistance: Year-round in the FFY 2026 plan (October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026).
• Winter crisis assistance: November 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026.
• Year-round crisis: October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026.
• Program year: OHEP's own page says the Energy Assistance program year runs July 1 to June 30 each year, which differs from the federal fiscal year.

Dates come from the state's FFY 2026 plan as compiled by the LIHEAP Clearinghouse. The Clearinghouse notes that actual application periods depend on available funding. OCS announced the first FY 2027 LIHEAP block grant funding release on October 9, 2026 (about $3.6 billion, 90% of funds under the continuing resolution signed September 2, 2026), so states are receiving money now, but each state still sets its own opening date and rules.

What Maryland LIHEAP pays

The plan lists a minimum benefit of $25 and a maximum of $1,100. The benefit matrix is built so the lowest-income, highest-energy-burden households receive the most.

Maryland defines a winter crisis (November 1 to March 31) as no heat, a fuel shortage, or an imminent utility shut-off in under three days. It issues 55-day holds to prevent terminations or restore service year-round, and in FFY 2026 planned an additional one-time winter crisis benefit of up to $600 when the regular benefit does not resolve the crisis and the household is not eligible for arrearage help.

Who gets priority and who is excluded

The benefit matrix, not a first-come order, is how Maryland favors the lowest-income, highest-burden households.

Renters can qualify if they meet the other rules. A renter in subsidized housing must prove they pay their own heating costs and receives a lower benefit than a similar-income renter without a subsidy, because the subsidy already includes a utility allowance. Renters who pay energy indirectly through rent give the landlord's details, and an approved benefit is paid to the landlord with the rent reduced.

How to apply and what to have ready

Where to apply: Maryland's statewide application portal, myMDTHINK (listed in the state's plan).

• Proof of who supplies your heat and the fuel type if you pay your heating costs directly.
• If you rent and pay energy through your rent, the landlord's name, address and phone number.
• OHEP keeps an Acceptable Documentation for Energy Assistance page; check it for the exact list.

OHEP's page gives the Department of Human Services contact line as 1-800-332-6347.

The agency that runs the program is the Maryland Department of Human Services, Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP).

LIHEAP pages for other states

Minnesota Indiana Colorado Tennessee Washington Connecticut Iowa Kentucky Oregon Kansas Nebraska