Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
What is the Low Income Household Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)?
LIHEAP is a federally-funded program that helps low-income households pay their heating or cooling bills, minimize home energy crisis, and make energy costs more affordable.
Who is eligible for LIHEAP?
To qualify for LIHEAP, your household income must be at or below 60% of the state median income. Navajo tribal members living in the states of New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah will be referred to the Navajo Financial Assistance Unit to apply for LIHEAP. All other Navajo tribal members living in other states should apply with their state LIHEAP programs.
Where do the LIHEAP funds come from?
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Office of Community Services, an Office of the Administration for Children & Families, provides the funding for this program. LIHEAP is then administered at the state and tribal levels.
The Financial Assistance Unit, an office under the Navajo Division of Social Services, is responsible to help Navajo tribal members in hardship situations and living on the Navajo reservation with one of the following home energy assistance:
**Exceptions may apply for Navajo tribal members living off the Navajo Nation. Contact your local Financial Assistance Unit office for availability of services.
- Heating Assistance: Purchase of firewood, coal, or pellets; or
- Heating Assistance: Payment to utility/propane company for home heating expense (Electricity, Natural Gas, or Propane); or
- Cooling Assistance: Payment to utility company for electricity expense to cool their home (available only during the summer); or
- Weatherization Assistance: Minor home repair of a home to make it more energy efficient; or repair or purchase of a heating unit (wood/coal burning stove or furnace), or cooling unit (evaporative cooler); or
- Crisis Assistance: Energy crisis intervention may be provided to eligible households when the safety and well-being of a vulnerable household member, such as an elderly person, disabled person, or a child aged 5 years and under, is at risk.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for LIHEAP, an applicant must meet the following criteria:
- An applicant must meet Financial Eligibility Criteria which includes monthly gross income not exceeding 60% of Arizona State Median Income for a household.
- Households with member(s) receiving benefits from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), will be deemed categorically eligible to receive LIHEAP benefits.
Payment Information
LIHEAP benefit payments is paid directly to utility providers or vendors on behalf of approved households. Applications approved for firewood, coal, or pellets is paid directly to the household applicant for which receipts are required to be submitted to the Navajo Financial Assistance Unit office that approved the application, within sixty (60) working days from receiving LIHEAP benefits. You can check the status of your application and benefit payment by calling the Navajo Financial Assistance Unit office you applied with.
LIHEAP benefits awarded to eligible households is on a first come, first serve basis each fiscal year. The fiscal year is generally beginning on October 1st and ending on September 30th of the following year.
The priority is provided as follows:
- 1. Priority One is given to household members who are sixty (60) years and older and receiving disability income, or has a disability that is verified by a physician or federal agency;
- Priority Two is given to household members who are sixty (60) years and older;
- Priority Three is given to household members who are receiving disability income or has a disability that is verified by a physician or federal agency;
- Priority Four is given to household members with young children who are five (5) years old or younger; and
- Priority Five is given to household members who do not meet 1, 2, 3, or 4 above.
Applicants with LIHEAP credit on their energy account will not be eligible for LIHEAP assistance until the LIHEAP credit is depleted or fully used.
