Heating Assistance Program

LIHEAP Funding Update

The ongoing federal government shutdown has delayed the release of new federal funds for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Until Congress passes a new appropriation, states cannot receive their Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 LIHEAP funding.

The Alaska Department of Health’s Division of Public Assistance (DPA) continues to operate the LIHEAP program using remaining carryover funds from the FY2025 federal award. These funds are being used to keep the program open and assist households while we wait for the release of FY2026 funding.

Based on current spending and application trends, DPA expects these carryover funds to be fully used by mid-November 2025. Once Congress approves a spending measure, it typically takes four to six weeks for new LIHEAP funds to be processed and released to states. If Congress acts in late November or early December, Alaska could receive its new funding by mid- to late December.

To manage the remaining funds responsibly and serve those most in need, DPA is taking the following steps:

1. Prioritizing Crisis Applications – DPA will focus on households experiencing a heating emergency or at immediate risk of losing heat.
2. Continuing to Process Regular Applications in the Order Received – Regular applications will continue to be reviewed in the order they are received to maintain fairness and consistency.
3. Delaying Benefit Payments Once Carryover Funds Are Spent – When the remaining FY2025 funds are fully used, DPA will continue to accept and process new applications. However, benefit pledges and payments will be delayed until FY2026 federal funds are available.

This plan ensures that the program remains open, prioritizes households in crisis, and prevents over-obligation of funds while awaiting the next federal allocation.

DPA will share updates as soon as more information about FY2026 LIHEAP funding becomes available.

LIHEAP is a federally funded program through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and is 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.orgwww.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