There are several types of utility assistance currently available through CAC that includes:
Utility assistance payments will be made directly to your utility provider and will be credited on your bill. Please read about each program to determine what you may be eligible to receive.
If you are unsure about which program is the best one for you and have questions, call us at (865) 637-6700.
LIHEAP
LIHEAP 2026 Program Update
LIHEAP helps low-income households with energy costs such as heating and cooling bills.
🗓️ LIHEAP Online Application Portal is now Open.
💵 Assistance amounts will range from $174 to $750, depending on household energy burden.
🏢 In-Person Assistance
CAC will provide in-person LIHEAP application assistance for regular LIHEAP applicants on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Applicants are served on a first-come, first-served basis until service capacity is reached.
If you are facing a utility crisis (such as a disconnect or shut-off notice), help is available as needed throughout the week.
For more information about eligibility and documentation requirements, please visit the Application Guidance section below.
⚠️ Please Note
The required LIHEAP online application portal is hosted by the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA). It is an external website and is not managed by CAC. CAC does not control the portal’s content, technical functions, or availability. If you experience issues with the portal, please continue to check back periodically to see if the technical difficulties have been resolved. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
How to Apply for LIHEAP
Apply Online
LIHEAP Online Application Portal is now open.
You will need an email account to use the LIHEAP portal. Once you create an e-mail account, you can begin the process of applying for LIHEAP online. You should expect to provide personal and financial information on yourself and persons living in your household throughout the application. You will also need to upload copies of required documentation.
- You will be able to save the application and come back to it later.
- Once you complete the application, you should be able to submit it online.
- You will receive an emailed confirmation that your application has been submitted.
- You may be asked to verify additional information after you submit.
- You can check in on the status of your application by revisiting the LIHEAP portal.
The required LIHEAP online application portal is hosted by the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA). It is an external website and is not managed by CAC. CAC does not control the portal’s content, technical functions, or availability. If you experience issues with the portal, please continue to check back periodically to see if the technical difficulties have been resolved. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
Apply In-Person
LIHEAP In-Person Assistance Hours
CAC will provide in-person LIHEAP application assistance for regular LIHEAP applicants on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Individuals experiencing a utility crisis (such as a disconnect or shut-off notice) will be served as needed throughout the week to ensure timely support.
CAC L.T. Ross Building – (865) 637-6700
2247 Western Ave
Knoxville, TN 37921
CAC East Neighborhood Center – (865) 546-5125
4610 Asheville Hwy
Knoxville, TN 37914
Application Guidance
The LIHEAP Application for 2026 will now be completed online through the LIHEAP Portal. Applicants will be asked to submit all required documentation electronically. CAC staff will be available to assist you if needed.
To help you prepare, below are downloadable reference copies of the application and supporting forms. These materials are provided through the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) and are available in both English and Spanish.
English Forms
- LI-03 Zero Income Form 2026
Used to verify household income and eligible expenses. - LI-04 Poverty Income Guidelines
Income limits by household size. - LI-05 Landlord Agreement
Required if you rent your home and utilities are included in rent or paid to your landlord. - LI-06 Self-Employment Form
For applicants who are self-employed to document earnings. - LI-11 Verification of Disability Form (2026)
To confirm disability status, if applicable.
Spanish Forms (Formularios en Español)
- LI-03 Zero Income Form 2026 → LI-03 Formulario de Verificación de Ingresos y Gastos
- LI-04 Poverty Income Guidelines → LI-04 Guía de Ingresos por Nivel de Pobreza
- LI-05 Landlord Agreement → LI-05 Acuerdo del Propietario
- LI-06 Self-Employment Form → LI-06 Formulario de Trabajo por Cuenta Propia
- LI-11 Verification of Disability Form 2026 → LI-11 Formulario de Verificación de Discapacidad 2026
Note: These documents are provided for reference and preparation only. All applications must be submitted online via the official LIHEAP Portal.
Important LIHEAP Update:Due to the federal government shutdown, 2026 LIHEAP funds have not yet been released. Applications may still be submitted online and will be placed on a waiting list until Federal funds are released and made available to Tennessee. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we await the release of Federal funding.
Actualización Importante sobre LIHEAP:
Debido al cierre del gobierno federal, los fondos de LIHEAP para el año 2026 aún no han sido liberados. Las solicitudes todavía pueden enviarse en línea y serán colocadas en una lista de espera hasta que los fondos federales sean liberados y estén disponibles para Tennessee. Gracias por su paciencia y comprensión mientras esperamos la liberación de los fondos federales.
Project HELP
Project Help is a nonprofit that partners with KUB to provide emergency energy assistance for people in need, regardless of the energy source in their home (electricity, natural gas, propane, heating oil, wood, or coal).
In order to qualify, you must live within KUB’s service territory, have a final utility notice, a documented financial hardship, and meet income guidelines:
| Household Size | ANNUAL Gross Income |
|---|---|
| 1 | From $22,591 up to $45,180 |
| 2 | From $30,661 up to $61,320 |
| 3 | From $38,781 up to $77,460 |
| 4 | From $46,801 up to $93,600 |
| 5 | From, $54,871 up to $109,740 |
| 6 | From $62,941 up to $125,880 |
| 7 | From $71,011 up to $142,020 |
| 8 | From $79,081 up to $158,160 |
To apply for Project Help, please call the LIHEAP office at (865) 637-6700.
Here is how you can donate:
Donate to Project Help in the following ways:
- Visit any local Food City or Home Federal Bank location between January 5 – February 1.
- Set up a recurring monthly donation using the form here.
- Make a one-time donation if you pay your KUB bill using the one-time bank draft option, SelectPay. In the bill-pay process, click the box that says “Add a one-time Project Help donation.” *If you pay your bill using AutoPay, you can not make a one-time donation online.
- Make a one-time donation by visiting a KUB payment kiosk at no charge.
- Make a one-time donation by mailing a check payable to Project Help to P.O. Box 59017 Knoxville, TN 37950
Project Help of East Tennessee, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, and donors receive an annual contribution letter for tax purposes.
Project Help depends solely on contributions from the community. KUB collects Project Help donations and CAC distributes them to qualifying families and individuals. All administrative costs are paid by KUB and CAC. One hundred percent of all funds collected go directly to help people with their heating bills.
Some programs listed on this webpage are supported by Grant Number 93.568 (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) from the Office of Community Services a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Office of Community Servcies or U.S. Department of Health and Human Services nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the the Office of Community Services.