2024 Application for Heating Assistance
Proof of Income & Work Statement
- If you do not have copies of your pay stubs received in the month prior to the date you sign your application, please download a copy of a Work Statement your employer can complete and return to us.
Emergency/Expedited Application Processing
If you are out of heating fuel or are within 48 hours of having your utilities disconnected, or require heat and/or electric service for a life threatening medical condition, you may qualify for expedited processing.
- If your expedite request involves your electric or natural gas account, you must provide a copy of your shutoff notice with a shutoff date within 48 hours of when you request expedited processing. If your shutoff notice is for a date outside of this time period, your request for expedited processing will be denied. In other words, if your power is going to be shut off a week from now and you apply for expedited processing today, your application will not be expedited because it isn’t within 48 hours. It will be returned to the general work queue. Or;
- If you heat with oil, propane, or another deliverable fuel, an e-mail from your vendor to hss.dpa.policy!alaska.gov with the words “Emergency Heating Request” in the subject line. Or;
- If at least one household member uses medical support equipment (e.g. kidney dialysis machine, oxygen concentrator, intermittent positive pressure breathing machine, infant respiratory failure alarm, cardiac monitor, etc.) prescribed by a licensed medical professional that requires electricity or fuel to operate, your expedite request should include a letter from the licensed medical professional confirming the medical condition and need for electric or heating.
Please make sure to check the box, “I am requesting expedited processing” and attach a copy of your shut-off notice or doctor’s note to your application. If you meet any of these criteria, your application will be pulled and worked ahead of everyone else’s. The vendor will be called with a pledge for your benefit. If not, if will be returned to the work queue.
Once denied for expedited processing, you cannot reapply for expedite again this season.
How Are Benefits Determined?
Heating Assistances uses a point system to determine award amounts. Multiple factors; including the community the applicant resides in, how they heat their home, the size of their heated living space, their income, and whether or not an elder, disabled person or child under the age of 6 reside in the home; impact the number of points a household receives. The State then multiplies the final number of points by the amount per point they can pay based upon anticipated funding. See also:
Approved Vendors
Heating Assistance payments are sent to approved vendors and then credited onto the customer’s account with their vendor. Approved Vendors are vendors that have a current, signed agreement with the State of Alaska to provide these services. We require that clients use an approved vendor to ensure that the money is being used for its intended purpose, to offset heating costs, and to prevent cases of waste, fraud and abuse.
If your vendor is not on this list, please e-mail us at
hss.dpa.policy@alaska.gov. Please provide us with your vendor’s name, address, phone number, and e-mail address (if you have it). We will contact your vendor about becoming an approved vendor with the program.
Tribal Heating Assistance
The Heating Assistance Program is administered by the State of Alaska and 13 Tribal Agencies across Alaska. A resident cannot receive a LIHEAP benefit from the State and one of the Tribal Agencies. It is important you apply with the correct agency because the applications and eligibility criteria differ depending upon who you apply with. Our Tribal Health Organizations document has a listing of the Tribal Agencies, the communities they serve, and their contact information. If you live in an area served by one of these agencies, you will need to contact them directly to get an application.
Energy Saving Tips
There are three things that impact your energy bills: how efficient your appliances are, whether or not your home has been weatherized, and your everyday habits. Here are a few tips to get you started on your way to lower bills today:
- Use a timer when plugging in cars.
- Turn off lights and use energy efficient bulbs or smart lighting options like compact fluorescent lights (CLFs) or LED lights.
- Turn off electronics including televisions, computers, and games when not in use.
- Use a warm blanket instead of space heaters.
- Clean filters (furnace and dryer lint screen).
- Minimize heat tape use.
- Don’t leave the refrigerator door open while deciding what you need.
- Save hot water by using low flow shower heads, low-flow aerators, variable flow valves and washing full loads of laundry in cold water.
- Put clear plastic on the inside of windows in winter to help keep the warm air inside.
- Dress warmly and lower the thermostat.
- Unplug appliances when not in use, or use power strips.
- Showers use less energy than baths.
- Turn down your hot water heater temperature to 120 degrees.
- Use the most efficient appliance. For example, cooking in a microwave saves energy and time.
For more information on ways to save energy and useful tips, check out the following websites:
Weatherization Information
Your home may be using more energy than it needs to because of air leaks or inefficient systems. There are some free program, educational classes, and do-it-yourself information available to help you seal up those leaks and get more out of your heating dollars.
Checking On Your Application – The IVR Hotline
You can check to see if we received your application or find out your grant amount by calling our 24-hour information hotline:
- Anchorage 907-269-5777 or
- all other areas toll free 888-804-6330
You will be asked:
- Your application number. This number was listed on your Notice of Receipt of Heating Assistance Application.
- Your security code is the last four digits of your social security number.
Other Programs and Resources
211 – Alaska’s Statewide Agency Hotline. Dial 211, let them know what community you live in and what type of help you are looking for. They will direct you to agencies in your area who can assist.
Unmet Needs – Program designed to assist America's service members who have been deployed in the last six years and have run into unexpected financial difficulties as a result of deployment or other military-related activity. The program provides financial aid of up to $5,000 to assist with basic life needs in the form of a grant - not a loan - so no repayment is required. To further ease the burden, we pay the creditor directly. For more information call 866-789-6333 or email them at
unmetneeds@vfw.org.