UPDATED 11/03/25:

The East Tennessee Human Resource Agency (ETHRA) provides LIHEAP assistance received from THDA for families in six counties (Anderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Scott, Morgan, and Union). Although we have not yet received LIHEAP funds for the new fiscal year, we had some money from FY 2025 that we were allowed to carry over.  Because these funds are limited, we will only approve Crisis LIHEAP applications for the new program year, which started November 1. To qualify for crisis assistance, the applicant must have a cut-off or disconnect notice from a home energy provider and meet a “qualifying circumstance” status (elderly or disabled family member, child under 6, etc.).

Applications for regular LIHEAP Assistance can be made online beginning November 3^rd. However, those approved will be added to a waiting list while we await the government reopening and the receipt of funds for the new fiscal year.

All applications can be submitted online at this website:

APPLY ONLINE NOW

If you need assistance using the online application, please download this simple 'HOW TO APPLY TO THE THDA LIHEAP PROGRAM' document to guide you through the process.

UPDATE: 10/25/25

Due to the federal government shutdown, the State of Tennessee has not been awarded 2026 LIHEAP . Therefore, the State cannot award funding to local LIHEAP agencies, including ETHRA.

However, local LIHEAP agencies like ETHRA may begin accepting applications electronically on November 3, 2025, at 8:00 AM. Households are encouraged to complete their applications on the new website.

ETHRA will place eligible Applicants on a waiting list until Federal funds are released and made available to Tennessee. Crisis applications for those facing a shut-off of services will receive priority for any available funds.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we await the release of Federal funding.

LIHEAP is a federal program that helps supplement household energy costs for low-income families.

•  Applications will be accepted online beginning November 1, 2025.
•  No benefit payments will be made in October.
•  Assistance amounts will range from $174 to $750, depending on household energy burden.

THDA will be accepting applications online. Please continue to check here and THDA.org for updates and the launch of the new application portal. 

Call ETHRA at 865-691-2551 ext 4231 or email LIHEAP@ethra.org with any questions. 

For more information about our program and the counties we serve, please visit ETHRA LIHEAP PROGRAM.