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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 Arizona, LIHEAP is administered by Community Action Program agencies of Arizona.
Learn more about LIHEAP by reviewing the federal program fact sheet here.
For more information about LIHEAP in Arizona, click here.
The Community Action Program agencies of Arizona oversees LIHEAP benefits and provides financial assistance for heating and cooling expenses to qualified households. Financial assistance can include payment for:
For more information about LIHEAP’s heating assistance initiative in Arizona, see the 2022 Arizona state LIHEAP Detailed Model Plan here.
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 Arizona defines a “crisis situation” as one where a household:
A “life-threatening crisis situation” also qualifies a household for Crisis Assistance. This occurs when:
For qualifying households, the maximum annual benefit amount for LIHEAP Crisis Assistance is a one-time payment of $1,000.
Learn more about Crisis Assistance on page 13 of the 2022 Detailed Model Plan here.
To determine the amount of energy assistance for which you are eligible, the Community Action Program agencies of Arizona 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 heating and cooling benefit amount in Arizona is $1,200, and the minimum annual heating and cooling benefit amount is $75.
To qualify for LIHEAP in Arizona, you must meet the following requirements:
The Community Action Program agencies of Arizona prioritize 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 Arizona 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:
Each year, eligible households can only apply for:
To apply for LIHEAP in Arizona, complete the following three steps:
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 Community Action Partnership (CAP) office. Find your nearest CAP office here.
When applying for Arizona 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 Community Action Partnership office where you applied to directly to check your application status.
Click here to find your local office and contact information.
The Community Action Program agencies of Arizona 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 Arizona LIHEAP benefits, you may request a hearing to appeal the decision by writing a statement to your local Community Action Partnership (CAP) office where you applied within 10 working days of when you received the denial. Find your nearest local CAP office here.
If the CAP representative cannot resolve the dispute, you can request a hearing with the Department of Economic Security. To begin this process, access the Hearing Request form here and mail it to:
Arizona Department of Economic Security
Appeals
P.O. Box 19009
Phoenix, AZ 85005-9009
Once the Department of Economic Security 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 your local Community Action Partnership office. Find your nearest Community Action Partnership (CAP) office and contact information here.
If you have questions about LIHEAP benefits in Arizona or require further assistance, contact your local Community Action Partnership office. Find your nearest Community Action Partnership (CAP) office and contact information here.
You call the Department of Economic Security benefits phone line at (602) 542-4791.
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