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Utilities and phone
Heating Assistance Program (HAP) (LIHEAP) in Alaska
Alaska's Heating Assistance Program pays part of your home heating cost once each winter, usually as a credit with your fuel dealer or electric company.
Alaska also runs its own state-funded program for households whose income is a little too high for LIHEAP, and homes with someone 60 or older get $175 more.
How to apply in Alaska
- Online
- alaskaconnect.ilinx.com
- By phone
- 1-800-478-7778
- In person
- Take your application to a Public Assistance office near you. You can also fax the Heating Assistance form to 888-269-6520 or email it to hss.dpa.offices@alaska.gov. One application covers heating help, crisis help and utility deposits.
- By mail
- Mail the application to a Public Assistance office near you. Make sure every required signature is on it.
Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.
Apply on the official siteWho may qualify in Alaska
| Monthly income limit, one person (2026–27 season) | $3,739 a month for one person Source: Alaska Department of Health, Division of Public Assistance (source 1) |
|---|---|
| Monthly income limit, two people (2026–27 season) | $5,071 a month for two people Source: Alaska Department of Health, Division of Public Assistance (source 1) |
| Which program covers which incomes | LIHEAP covers incomes up to 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. The state-funded Alaska Affordable Heating Program covers incomes above 150% and up to 225%. Source: Alaska Department of Health, Division of Public Assistance (source 1) |
| Which income counts | Income for everyone in the home in the month before the state receives your application. Send proof; for Social Security or a pension, send the year-end statement or award letter. Bank statements are not accepted as proof. |
| Heating cost | At least $200 a year in heating costs you pay yourself Source: Alaska Department of Health, Division of Public Assistance (source 1) |
| Tribal heating programs | You can't get state heating assistance if you are eligible to apply through a tribal organization |
What you may get
| Heating help, estimated range (FY 2026 state plan; the 2027 figures were not posted) | $350 to $6,125, paid once a season to your fuel dealer or electric company Source: LIHEAP Clearinghouse (source 3) |
|---|---|
| Extra for older adults (FY 2026 state plan) | $175 more for a home with someone 60 or older, a person with a disability, or a child under 6 (one increase per home) Source: LIHEAP Clearinghouse (source 3) |
| Crisis help | One payment to your vendor if you are out of heating fuel or within 48 hours of running out, your heat or electric service is shut off or will be within 48 hours, or you have an eviction notice for unpaid rent that includes heat Source: Alaska Department of Health, Division of Public Assistance (source 1) |
Dates, renewals and waiting lists
| Heating application period (every season, including 2026–27) | Oct. 1 to April 30. The new application comes out after Sept. 1, and payments start on the first working day in October. Source: Alaska Department of Health, Division of Public Assistance (source 1) |
|---|---|
| Crisis application period | Sept. 1 to June 30, with payments starting Oct. 1 Source: Alaska Department of Health, Division of Public Assistance (source 1) |
| Early sign-up for older adults (FY 2026 state plan) | Homes with someone 60 or older that got LIHEAP the year before are put on the early mailing list and get their application packet before everyone else Source: LIHEAP Clearinghouse (source 3) |
How Alaska is different
Where Alaska's rules differ from the federal rules for LIHEAP heating and cooling help.
- State-funded Alaska Affordable Heating Program for incomes above 150% and up to 225% of the federal poverty guidelines
- $175 added to the benefit for a home with someone 60 or older
- Early application mailings for homes with someone 60 or older that got help the year before
Sources: Alaska Department of Health, Division of Public Assistance (source 1), LIHEAP Clearinghouse (source 3)
Good to know
- Each home can get one benefit a season: heating help, crisis help, or a utility deposit for subsidized housing.
- It can take up to 45 days to process a complete application. Keep paying your bills while you wait, and if you are behind, ask your fuel or electric company for a payment plan and tell them you applied.
- You can ask for half of your grant to go to your electric company, but only when you apply.
- To check on your application, call 1-800-478-7778 and stay on the line for a person instead of choosing the automated system.
- Weatherization programs may lower your heating cost with energy-saving repairs; the state lists local weatherization agencies on its heating assistance questions page.
Sources: Alaska Department of Health, Division of Public Assistance (source 1), Alaska Department of Health (source 2)
Free help
Free help with this in Alaska
Division of Senior and Disabilities Services
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in Alaska
Help with heating and cooling bills in another state
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- Alaska Department of Health, Division of Public Assistance, Heating Assistance Program (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Alaska Department of Health, Heating Assistance FAQ (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- LIHEAP Clearinghouse, Alaska FY 2026 LIHEAP Model Plan (copy of the state's plan posted by the LIHEAP Clearinghouse) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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