Arizona State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in Arizona. Trained counselors go through your costs and choices with you, and they don't sell plans.
Utilities and phone
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in Arizona
Arizona's LIHEAP helps pay heating and cooling bills all year, with crisis help when you have a shut-off notice.
The state Department of Economic Security takes applications through one statewide online portal, by mail or fax, or by appointment with a community action agency. Older adults get a higher benefit, and those in the Senior Utility Assistance Program can renew with a shorter form.
How to apply in Arizona
- In person
- Apply online through the DES portal, where you first confirm who you are with ID.me, or send a paper application by mail or fax. You can also apply by appointment with a local community action agency. Every method needs a government-issued photo ID.
- Who runs it
- Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES), Child and Community Services Division
Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.
Apply on the official siteWho may qualify in Arizona
| Income limit (FY 2026 state plan; the dollar amounts are on the DES website, which we could not open) | 60% of the state median income for households of up to 9 people; 150% of the federal poverty level for 10 or more |
|---|---|
| Subsidized housing | If you get a utility reimbursement that is larger than your monthly utility bill, you are not eligible |
| ID | A government-issued photo ID, whichever way you apply |
Source: LIHEAP Clearinghouse (source 1)
What you may get
| Heating help, estimated range (FY 2026 state plan) | $160 to $640. Homes with someone 60 or older get an extra point in the benefit formula, which raises the amount. |
|---|---|
| Cooling help, estimated range (FY 2026 state plan) | $160 to $640 |
| Crisis help, all year (FY 2026 state plan) | Up to $500 if you have a shut-off or past-due notice, your regular benefit does not cover the whole bill, you have an eviction notice and utilities are in your rent, or you have seven days or less of propane, wood or prepaid service left. You must also get the regular benefit. |
Source: LIHEAP Clearinghouse (source 1)
Dates, renewals and waiting lists
| Heating months (FY 2026 state plan; applications are taken all year) | Nov. 1 to March 31 in Apache, Cochise, Coconino, Graham, Greenlee, Navajo, Santa Cruz and Yavapai counties; Dec. 1 to March 31 in Gila, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Pima, Pinal and Yuma counties |
|---|---|
| Cooling months (FY 2026 state plan) | April 1 to Oct. 31 in the northern and eastern counties listed above; April 1 to Nov. 30 in the others |
| Early sign-up for older adults (FY 2026 state plan) | No early or faster processing for older adults unless they are in a crisis. Instead, homes with someone 60 or older get a higher benefit, and older adults in the Senior Utility Assistance Program renew with a shorter application and get the top benefit on the chart. |
Source: LIHEAP Clearinghouse (source 1)
How Arizona is different
Where Arizona's rules differ from the federal rules for LIHEAP heating and cooling help.
- Senior Utility Assistance Program: older adults can renew with a shorter application, get the maximum benefit on the chart, and have funding set aside for them
- Homes with someone 60 or older, a veteran, a person with a disability or a young child get extra points that raise the benefit
- Heating, cooling and crisis help are offered all year, with money set aside month by month
Source: LIHEAP Clearinghouse (source 1)
Good to know
- The online application sends a referral to the weatherization program, which needs its own application.
Source: LIHEAP Clearinghouse (source 1)
Free help
Free help with this in Arizona
Division of Aging and Adult Services
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in Arizona
Help with heating and cooling bills in another state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- 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
- LIHEAP Clearinghouse, Arizona 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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