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Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

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FAQs for Applicants

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The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded program that helps low income households pay their heating/cooling bills, minimize crises, and make energy costs more affordable. The LIHEAP program is administered in accordance with federal regulations, the Arizona LIHEAP State Plan, and LIHEAP Policy.

Eligibility

To qualify for LIHEAP, the applicant must require assistance with payments for energy-related utilities, and have an income that falls within the program guidelines. More information on the benefits applicants may qualify for can be found in the “Benefits” section below.

LIHEAP provides both regular and crisis benefits. Crisis benefits are a separate benefit that a household may receive if their regular LIHEAP benefit has been exhausted, and the household has received an energy utility shut-off or delinquency notice or equivalent (eviction notice, if utilities are included in rent; less than seven (7) days of energy remaining for portable or pre-paid energy).

The availability of LIHEAP assistance is not guaranteed and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. LIHEAP eligibility is limited to once in a 12-month period for a Regular LIHEAP benefit and once in a 12-month period for a Crisis LIHEAP benefit.

LIHEAP Maximum Household Income
Household Size Monthly Gross Income Limit
1 $2,646
2 $3,460
3 $4,274
4 $5,089
5 $5,903
6 $6,717
7 $6,870
8 $7,022
9 $7,262
10 $7,935
11 $8,607
12 $9,280
13 $9,952
14 $10,625
15 $11,297
Each additional over 15 $672

Benefits

The amount of LIHEAP benefit that an eligible household receives is determined based on a household’s (1) income, (2) energy burden, and (3) household demographics. Based on these criteria, points are allocated to the household; the more points a household receives, the household will qualify for a higher Regular LIHEAP benefit. This system prioritizes households with a higher need (such as households with lower incomes or higher utility costs) and households with vulnerable household members (such as individuals with disabilities or individuals 60 years or older).

Points are evaluated based on the following:

  1. Income Eligibility:

    Total Monthly Gross Income Divided by the Monthly Gross Income Limit for the Household Size = % Income

    Example:  A household of three has a gross monthly income of $2,000, and the maximum income to qualify for a household of three is $4,674. Their income equals 46% of the maximum, which has three points applied.

    2,000/4,274 = 0.46 x 100 = 46%

    Percent of Poverty Points Applied
    0% to 20% 5 points
    21% to 40% 4 points
    41% to 60% 3 points
    61% to 80% 2 points
    81% to 100% 1 point

  2. Energy Burden:

    Monthly Utility Cost Divided by Monthly Gross Income = % of Energy Burden

    Example: A household with a gross monthly income of $2,000 has an electric bill of $350. The energy burden percentage is 17.5%, which has three points applied.

    350/2,000 = 0.175 x 100 = 17.5%

    Energy Burden Percentage Points Applied
    5% or less 0 points
    6% to 10% 1 point
    11% to 15% 2 points
    16% to 20% 3 points
    21% to 25% 4 points
    26% to 30% 5 points
    31% or over 6 points

    2 points are added for households who utilize deliverable/portal fuel

  3. Energy Need:

    Energy Need Points Applied
    Elderly 1 point
    Disabled 1 point
    Child age 6 or younger 1 point
    Veteran 1 point

    NOTE: Only one Point per Category is Allowed

    A household may receive up to the following benefit based upon their household’s evaluated points:

    Points Benefit
    1 to 4 $160
    5 to 8 $320
    9 to 12 $480
    13 or over $640

    Crisis assistance is also available for applicants who have exhausted their full Regular LIHEAP benefit. Crisis assistance may be awarded once per twelve-month eligibility period, based upon need, up to a maximum of $500.

    NOTE: LIHEAP benefit amounts and points are subject to change annually based upon federal funding. The information contained on this page is effective October 12, 2024.

Contact Us

Contact the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program hotline at 1-866 494-1981. The call center is available 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

How to Apply

Applicants can apply for Energy Utility assistance safely from their own homes using the LIHEAP online portal. Applicants unable to apply online may apply by phone through the LIHEAP hotline at 1-866 494-1981 or by using a paper application (see “FAQs for LIHEAP Applicants” section for links).

Applicants interested in utility assistance will need to provide a copy of their current utility bill, photo ID, disconnection notice (if any), proof of income. Failure to provide the required documentation may delay eligibility determination.

Apply for LIHEAP Online
 

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