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While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the LIHEAP program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
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The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides assistance for energy costs to low-income households. LIHEAP is a federal program that is administered by individual states, territories, and tribes. In Alaska, LIHEAP is administered by the Division of Public Assistance under the Heating Assistance Program (HAP).
Learn more about LIHEAP by reviewing the federal program fact sheet here.
For more information about LIHEAP in Alaska, click here.
The Division of Public Assistance of Alaska oversees LIHEAP benefits and provides financial assistance for heating expenses to qualified households. Financial assistance can include payment for:
For more information about LIHEAP’s heating assistance initiative in Alaska, see the 2022 Alaska state LIHEAP Detailed Model Plan here.
Alaska’s LIHEAP program does not provide financial compensation for cooling expenses. However, it does assist with cooling emergencies if applicants qualify for Crisis Assistance.
LIHEAP Crisis Assistance, like standard LIHEAP benefits, is a cash grant provided to the utility companies of eligible individuals in certain situations.
If your household meets all the eligibility requirements above and has an energy-related crisis, you may qualify for LIHEAP Crisis Assistance.
The state of Alaska defines a “crisis situation” as one where a household:
A “life-threatening crisis situation” also qualifies a household for Crisis Assistance. This occurs when the temperature is at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
For qualifying households, the maximum annual benefit amount for LIHEAP Crisis Assistance is a one-time payment of $5,775, as of 2022.
Learn more about Crisis Assistance in Alaska on page 12 of the Detailed Model Plan here.
To determine the amount of energy assistance for which you are eligible, the Division of Public Assistance of Alaska will consider:
Also, whether you are eligible for regular LIHEAP payments or Crisis Assistance payments will influence your maximum benefit amount.
As of 2022, the maximum annual benefit amount in Alaska is $5,775 for heating and the minimum annual benefit amount is $330.
To qualify for LIHEAP in Alaska, you must meet the following requirements:
The Division of Public Assistance of Alaska prioritizes households with elderly, disabled or young members. Elderly is considered 60 years or older, and young is considered five years old or younger.
Learn more about the LIHEAP financial eligibility requirements in Alaska here.
If you or a member of your family participates in the benefit programs below, then you may automatically be eligible for LIHEAP based on your income:
Eligible households can only apply for LIHEAP assistance from October 1st until April 30th each year. LIHEAP applications cannot be submitted year-round.
To apply for LIHEAP in Alaska, complete the following three steps:
Learn what documents and information you need to complete the process here.
Find your nearest Division of Public Assistance office and contact information here. You can also find physical and mailing addresses, email addresses, and fax numbers on the last page of the application.
Access the Alaska LIHEAP application here.
To apply in person, contact your nearest Division of Public Assistance office. Find your nearest office here.
To apply by mail, email or fax, send the application to the Public Assistance Office near you. Contact information, including fax numbers, are on the last page of the application and here.
Note that applications for Crisis Assistance, for households that meet the state definition of a crisis, can be submitted year-round.
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact your nearest Division of Public Assistance office. Find your nearest office here.
When applying for Alaska LIHEAP benefits, you will need to provide:
The state will need the following documents and information to confirm your eligibility for LIHEAP benefits:
Learn more about the documentation needed during the LIHEAP application process here.
You can call the Division of Public Assistance office where you applied to directly to check your application status. You can also call the 24-hour information hotline at:
Click here to find your local office and contact information.
The Division of Public Assistance of Alaska will notify you within 30 days of receiving your application if you are approved to receive benefits. All LIHEAP payments are made to the heating or energy provider directly. Benefit payments will not be sent to you.
If you are denied Alaska LIHEAP benefits, you may request a hearing to appeal the decision by writing a statement to your local Division of Public Assistance office where you applied within 30 days of when you received the denial. Find your nearest local office here.
If the representative cannot resolve the dispute, you can request a hearing with the Division of Public Health in person, by phone, or in writing.
To request by writing, access the Fair Hearing Request form here.
Once the Division of Public Health receives the appeal, they will set up a hearing and notify you of the date, time and location.
If you have questions about the appeal process, contact the Heating Assistance Office:
You can also call Alaska’s Statewide Agency Hotline at 211.
If you have questions about LIHEAP benefits in Alaska or require further assistance, contact your local Division of Public Assistance office. Find your nearest Division of Public Assistance office and contact information here.
You can also contact the Heating Assistance Office by phone at (800) 470-3058 or (907) 465-3058 (Juneau). Or, call Alaska’s Statewide Agency Hotline at 211.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and compiled a guide that we believe is simple to use and easy to understand. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing detailed information on the process.
Our free LIHEAP Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply for LIHEAP, program eligibility and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.
Last Updated: September 16, 2022