Heating Assistance FAQ

Starting October 1 each year, you can get an application in three ways:

• Visit any Division of Public Assistance (DPA) office
• Download it online
• Call us at 800-478-7778

Important: If you apply online, you’ll need to download, print, fill out, and send the form. Right now, you can’t submit it online.

What to Include with Your Application:

• A copy of your heat and electric bills
• Proof of income from the month before you sign the form
• A copy of your Social Security card, tribal ID, or Alaska ID

Important: Make sure your form is filled out completely and signed.

How to Turn It In:

Drop it off at any DPA office

Fax to 888-269-6520

Email to: hss.dpa.offices@alaska.gov

You will get a Notice of Action (NOA) in the mail. It will tell you if you’re:

• Approved (and how much money you’ll get)
• Denied
• Or if we need more information

Your heating vendor will also get a NOA. If you're approved, they should get paid within one week after the NOA is sent.

Check Your Status by Phone
Call the IVR Hotline:

• 888-804-6330 (or 907-269-5777 in Anchorage)
• Use a touch-tone phone (not a rotary phone)

Follow these steps:

• Press 1 to enter the system
• Press 3 for heating assistance updates
• Listen to any messages, then press 1
• Enter your application number (from your receipt notice)
• Enter your security code (last 4 digits of your Social Security number)

It can take up to 45 days to process your application. Keep paying your heating and utility bills during this time.

If your bills are past due or you’re low on fuel, call your utility or fuel company. Ask about a deferred payment plan and let them know you’ve applied for Heating Assistance.

To avoid delays, make sure your application is complete, signed, and easy to read.

Include the full name, date of birth, Social Security number, and ethnicity for everyone in your household.

Include proof of income:

• If someone worked last month, attach their pay stubs. If you don’t have them, your employer can fill out Form B.
• For seasonal work, send pay stubs from the past 12 months or have your employer fill out Form C.
• If you're self-employed, fill out Form A, list your income and expenses for the last 12 months, and include your most recent tax return.

Other documents you may need:

• Recent fuel and electric bills
• Wood receipts (at least $200) or receipts for supplies if you gather your own wood
• If you live in a mobile home, RV, or boat, list the length and width of the heated area
• If heat is included in your rent, include your lease and a recent rent receipt
• If you got a disconnect notice within 48 hours, attach a copy and request emergency help
• If you live in Section 8 or subsidized housing, include your rental housing worksheet
• A copy of the head of household’s Social Security card or government-issued ID

You can get one grant per season. The season is from October 1 to September 30.

Heating Assistance is based on a point system. Points are given for where you live, your fuel type, home type, household size, and income. If your points are too low, you may not qualify.

How we determine benefits

FY 2022 Community Points Listing

In most cases, your grant is sent to your fuel or electric company.

If heat is included in your rent and you don’t live in subsidized housing, you may still qualify for Heating Assistance.

If you live in subsidized housing and heat is included in your rent, you do not qualify for Heating Assistance. But you may qualify for SRHUD (Subsidized Rental Housing Utility Deposit).

If you live in Section 8 or subsidized housing and you pay for your own heat, you can apply for Heating Assistance.

SRHUD Help
You may qualify for SRHUD if you live in subsidized housing, heat is included in your rent, and you need help paying a deposit to start electric or general-use gas service.

If you pay for your own heat, you do not qualify for SRHUD.

No. You must live in the home to qualify.

Send copies of all pay stubs and other income received the month before you sign your application. This applies to everyone in your household.

If you are a seasonal worker or self-employed, use Form B or C in the application packet to figure out your monthly income.

For people with seasonal, self-employment, or changing work hours, we use the past 12 months of income to decide if you qualify.

Examples:
If you sign your application in September, send income from August.
If you sign in January, send income from December.
If you sign in October, send income from September.
If you sign in February, send income from January.

Use the chart in your packet to help decide if you should apply for the 2022–2023 winter season.

Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) and Senior Benefits are not counted when deciding if you qualify for Heating Assistance. But please list them to help us understand how you pay your bills.

Once you get your grant, it can only be moved if you switch to a new heat or electric company. If you move, contact the Heating Assistance office for help.

If you want 25% of your grant to go to your electric company, check “yes” on Question 21, fill out Question 23, and include a copy of your electric bill. You must ask for this when you apply—changes can't be made later.

Your benefit amount is based on:

• Your income from the month before you sign the application (or a 12-month average if you’re seasonal or self-employed)
• How many people live in your household and home
• Your main heat source
• The type of home you live in (apartment, trailer, etc.)
• If your rent is subsidized (like through ASHA, HUD, or Section 8)
• How many bedrooms are in your home
• The community you live in

This information is entered into our system to calculate your grant.