The Maine Agenda › Live in Maine
Heating Assistance in Greater Portland: How to Apply for HEAP, What the Income Limits Are, and When to Do It
The fuel bill is the one that arrives with a date attached. The tank gauge reads a quarter, the first hard frost has already come and gone, and the dealer's minimum delivery is a number you would rather not think about. Maine runs a program for exactly this moment. It is called HEAP, it is open right now, and most of what is written about it online is either a dead link or a two-year-old news story. This is the current version, read off the state's own pages on October 26, 2026.
The one thing to do this week
Apply early. MaineHousing says so on its own HEAP page, and the history backs it up: in March 2025 the agency announced that HEAP was moving to a waiting list starting March 28, which means money can run out before the season does. The 2026-2027 application window opened August 3, 2026, and MaineHousing says applications continue "until funds are exhausted or May 29, 2027." Whichever of those comes first ends it. The page does not say whether a waiting list is in effect today, so do not assume the season is open-ended.
Who qualifies: the income table
Eligibility is based on gross household income, meaning before taxes, and household size. MaineHousing publishes one table for the 2026-2027 season, shared with its weatherization and related programs. Here is the maximum gross household income for HEAP:
| Household size | 1 month | 3 months | 12 months |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3,173 | $9,518 | $38,070 |
| 2 | $4,149 | $12,446 | $49,784 |
| 3 | $5,125 | $15,375 | $61,498 |
| 4 | $6,101 | $18,303 | $73,213 |
| 5 | $7,077 | $21,232 | $84,927 |
| 6 | $8,053 | $24,160 | $96,641 |
Larger households run higher, up to $105,426 a year for ten people. Above ten, the state tells you to call your community action agency.
Two things about that table are worth saying out loud. First, the 12-month limit for a household of four, $73,213, is higher than many people expect, and it covers a lot of families who would never call themselves low income in this part of Maine. If you are within sight of the line, apply anyway and let the agency do the math. Second, MaineHousing says households over the guidelines may be able to deduct eligible medical expenses. It does not spell out the rules on the page, so ask the agency before you rule yourself out.
"Additional criteria may also apply," the page adds, which is the state's way of saying the table is necessary and not always sufficient.
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Who actually processes your application in Cumberland County
You apply one of two ways: online through the state's portal at ecos.mainehousing.org, or by phone or in person through your local community action agency. For Cumberland County, MaineHousing's contact list names the Opportunity Alliance, 50 Lydia Lane, South Portland, phone (207) 553-5900 or toll free (877) 429-6884.
The list covers the county as a whole. It does not break out Falmouth, Cumberland, Yarmouth, Freeport, Scarborough, Gorham, Westbrook or Windham by name, so if you live in any of them the Opportunity Alliance is the listed agency for you.
Portland residents get one extra option. The same list says that if you live in the City of Portland you can have your application processed by ProsperityME instead, phone (207) 797-7890. That is a choice, not a requirement.
What to have in hand
The state's list is long and the penalty for missing a piece is blunt. MaineHousing warns that "your application will be denied if all requested documentation is not provided." You will need:
- Names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and proof of citizenship for everyone in the household
- Proof of gross income for the household: tax return, W-2s, pay stubs, 1099s, or unemployment, pension, or disability paperwork
- Recent full energy and utility bills that show usage
- Proof of what fuel you heat with
Gather the bills before you start. The fuel proof is the item most likely to take a phone call, especially if your heat is in your lease or you buy cord wood or pellets from a small seller. Ask for an invoice or statement now, not in January.
What it pays, and what we cannot tell you
MaineHousing's page gives no dollar benefit amounts. It says benefits "vary depending on household size, income, and other household expenses," and that help can cover fuel costs and emergency fuel delivery, and may include energy-related repairs and utility payments. Anyone quoting you a standard HEAP check amount is guessing. The agency determines your benefit after it reviews the application.
What it does not do is replace shopping. HEAP helps pay the bill; it does not make a bad price good. If you are paying for oil or propane, the regional price survey and the contract advice in our guide to heating oil and propane costs still apply, and the delivery size you choose still matters.
The emergency program: ECIP
If you are almost out of fuel, there is a separate crisis track, the Energy Crisis Intervention Program. MaineHousing says to fill out a HEAP application first, then contact your local community action agency. The crisis season runs from November 1, 2026 through April 30, 2027. That puts it six days out as of this writing, so the practical move is to have the application in before the crisis season starts, not after you are down to the last inch in the tank.
What this does and does not cover
HEAP is a heating program. It is not the property tax relief that homeowners can claim separately, which we cover in Maine's homestead exemption and property tax relief guide. Renters and owners can both use HEAP.
The short version
Apply now, not in February. Use the online portal or call the Opportunity Alliance at (207) 553-5900 (Portland residents can choose ProsperityME at (207) 797-7890). Bring ID details, income proof, a full recent fuel or utility bill, and proof of your heating fuel. The state's page gives no benefit amounts, so ask the agency what yours will be. If the tank is nearly empty, apply first, then call about the crisis program once it opens November 1.
FAQ
When does HEAP open and close for the 2026-2027 season?
HEAP opened August 3, 2026, according to MaineHousing, and applications continue until funds are exhausted or May 29, 2027. In March 2025 the agency moved HEAP to a waiting list, so applying early is the safer plan.
What is the HEAP income limit for a family of four in Maine?
For 2026-2027 the maximum gross household income for a household of four is $6,101 for one month, $18,303 for three months, or $73,213 for twelve months, per MaineHousing. Households over the limit may be able to deduct eligible medical expenses.
Who do I apply through in Cumberland County?
The Opportunity Alliance, 50 Lydia Lane, South Portland, (207) 553-5900, is the agency MaineHousing lists for Cumberland County. City of Portland residents can alternatively have their application processed by ProsperityME at (207) 797-7890. You can also apply online at ecos.mainehousing.org.
What documents does a HEAP application require?
Names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and proof of citizenship for everyone in the household, proof of gross income, recent full energy or utility bills showing usage, and proof of your heating fuel. MaineHousing says the application is denied if requested documentation is missing.
How much does HEAP pay?
MaineHousing does not publish a standard amount. Its page says benefits vary with household size, income, and other household expenses, and can cover fuel, emergency delivery, energy-related repairs, and utility payments.
What if I am almost out of heating fuel?
Submit a HEAP application, then contact your local community action agency about the Energy Crisis Intervention Program. MaineHousing lists the crisis season as November 1, 2026 through April 30, 2027.
Can renters apply for HEAP?
Yes. MaineHousing says qualified homeowners and renters can receive heating-cost help.