Heating Assistance Program

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) - Update

With the federal government reopened, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has restarted funding for the 2026 LIHEAP program. The Alaska Division of Public Assistance has returned to normal operations. LIHEAP is fully open, and applications are being processed statewide. Benefits are being issued as usual, and emergency “no-heat” cases are still handled first. If you already applied, your application will continue through the normal review process. No service delays are expected. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and administered in Alaska by the Department of Health’s Division of Public Assistance.

Resources for Help

If you are facing a heating emergency or need immediate assistance, please contact:

Alaska 2-1-1 — Dial 2-1-1 or visit https://www.alaska211.org to connect with local energy assistance programs and community resources.
Energy Providers — Many utilities and fuel vendors offer payment plans or emergency assistance during this period.

Overview

The Heating Assistance Program (HAP) helps low-income Alaskans stay warm by covering some home heating costs. It’s open to homeowners and renters who meet the guidelines and provides a one-time benefit from October 1 to April 30 each year.

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 

FY 2026 Income Guidelines, by number of people in your household:

• 1 person = $2,443
• 2 people = $3,303
• 3 people = $4,162
• 4 people = $5,023
• 5 people = $5,883
• 6 people = $6,742
• Additional household members = Add $860 per person

How to sign up

A new application is posted after October 1 each year.

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

Submit your application in person, at  a Public Assistance office near you, or you can send it by mail, by fax, or by email.

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

Heating Assistance

• A one-time payment sent to the household’s heat utility vendor and added as a credit to their account.
• One benefit is issued per “season” which runs from October 1 through April 30.

Subsidized Rental Housing Utility Deposit (SRHUD)

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

Crisis Assistance

Provides a one-time payment to the renter's vendor in specific crisis situations. Applications for are accepted all year.

Resources