Heating Assistance Program

Overview

The Division of Public Assistance’s Heating Assistance Programs (HAP) help low-income eligible Alaskans stay warm by covering some home heating costs. Applicants may receive a one-time benefit annually.

Two programs are administered to support this mission. They are:

• Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for households with income up to 150% of the federal poverty income guidelines. LIHEAP is funded by the federal government. The State of Alaska’s 2026 Season LIHEAP Model Plan outlines the administration of the program.   
• The Alaska Affordable Heating Program (AAHP) for households with income above 150% and up to 225% of the federal poverty income guidelines. AAHP is funded by the State of Alaska General Fund. 

Who qualifies?

To qualify, your household must:

• Have at least $200 in out-of-pocket heating costs per year
• Not exceed the maximum monthly income limits for that year 

2026-2027 Heating Assistance Season Guidelines:

• 1 person = $3,739 
• 2 people = $5,071 
• 3 people = $6,401 
• 4 people = $7,733 
• 5 people = $9,065 
• 6 people = $10,395 
• Additional household members = Add $1,331 per person

How to sign up

A new application is available after September 1 each year. The program begins issuing grants on the first working day in October.

The same application is used for all our programs: Heating Assistance, Crisis Assistance and SRHUD. 

You can submit your application in the following ways:

• In person or by mail at a Public Assistance office near you
• Online at the Alaska Connect Portal
• Fax to 888-269-6520
• Email to hss.dpa.offices@alaska.gov

Please make sure your application includes all required signatures, even if you are sending it by email.

The last day to apply for non-crisis heating assistance is April 30 each year.

How to use

Households are limited to one benefit per season from one of the three options: 

Heating Assistance

• Applications are accepted October 1st through April 30th
• A one-time payment sent to the household’s approved heating fuel or electric heat is added as a credit to their account

Crisis Assistance

• Applications for crisis assistance are accepted September 1st through June 30th
• Provides a one-time payment to the eligible applicant’s vendor in the following crisis situations:
  • Out of primary heating fuel or within 48 hours of running out of primary fuel
  • The primary heating fuel or electric service has been disconnected or is within 48 hours of service disconnection
  • Received an eviction for non-payment of rent when heat is included in a non-subsidized rental payment

Subsidized Rental Housing Utility Deposit (SRHUD)

• Applications are accepted all year
• Assists with deposits to establish service in subsidized rental housing where heat is included in the rent, but the renter pays for their own electric

Resources