Tribal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Frequently Asked Questions

What is LIHEAP?

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded program that assists low-income households with home energy bills, energy crises, weatherization, and minor energy-related home repairs. For more than 40 years, the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) has partnered with Community Action Agencies (CAAs) across the state to administer this critical assistance program at the local level.

How do the Arizona Tribes administer LIHEAP?

The federal LIHEAP statute allows Indian tribes and tribal organizations that wish to assist low-income households in meeting the costs of home energy to apply for a LIHEAP block grant. As of FY 2014, Tribes have received LIHEAP funds allowing them to directly operate LIHEAP programs. The only tribe within Arizona that partners with DES to operate a LIHEAP program is the Tohono O’odham Nation.

If a client is a tribal member, but does not live on tribal land, where should they go for LIHEAP assistance?

If an individual in the household is a member of a tribe that administers LIHEAP, whether they live on or off tribal land, the household can contact their tribe for assistance. If their tribe has expended their LIHEAP funds, they may visit their local Community Action Agency or apply for LIHEAP through the DES portal. This Community Action Agencies website contains the contact information and location for each CAA.

How do clients contact their tribe if they need LIHEAP assistance?

This LIHEAP Map Tribal Contact Listing website contains the contact information for each tribe administering LIHEAP.

If the tribe has spent all their LIHEAP funding, do clients have additional options?

If the tribe has expended all their LIHEAP funds, then the individual or household may go to their local Community Action Agency for assistance or apply online through the DES Housing Stability and Utility Assistance portal.

In this situation, if a tribal member previously applied for assistance through their tribe’s program and was not determined eligible, can they reapply for assistance through DES?

While eligibility requirements between the tribal and State programs are closely aligned, an individual who believes they may be eligible for assistance are encouraged to apply and the DES team will determine if they are able to receive assistance.

In this situation, if a tribal member previously received assistance through their tribe’s program, can they apply for additional assistance through DES?

Tribal members who have received assistance through their tribal program in the last 12 months will not be eligible to receive State LIHEAP benefits, regardless of the amount they initially received. However, if they have not yet received the supplemental benefits for applicable crisis situations, they may be eligible for the additional assistance.

If a tribal member only has a PO box and not a physical address, how should they verify their residency within Arizona when applying for assistance through DES?

When applying for benefits through DES, tribal members should describe their location in the address field and add their P.O. box as a second address.