Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
LIHEAP is a federally-funded program that helps eligible, low income Navajo households living on the reservation pay their primary source of heating or cooling costs or with weatherizing their home to make it more energy efficient
LIHEAP applications are paused until mid-December while we process ones already submitted.
LIHEAP Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is Eligible for LIHEAP?
To be eligible for the Navajo Financial Assistance Unit’s LIHEAP, an applicant must meet the following criteria:
- Navajo tribal members living in the states of New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah. (All other Navajo tribal members living in other states should apply with their state LIHEAP programs.)
- An applicant must meet Financial Eligibility Criteria which includes monthly gross income not exceeding 60% of 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.
Where Does Funding for LIHEAP 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 for Children and Family Services, is responsible for helping Navajo tribal members living on the Navajo reservation** and in hardship situations with one of the following home energy needs:
- Heating Assistance: Purchase of firewood, coal, or pellets
- Heating Assistance: Payment to utility/propane company for home heating expense (Electricity, Natural Gas, or Propane)
- Cooling Assistance: Payment to utility company for electricity expense to cool their home (available only during the summer)
- 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)
- 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.
**Exceptions may apply for Navajo tribal members living off the Navajo Nation. Contact your local Financial Assistance Unit office for availability of services.
How are LIHEAP Benefit Payments Made?
LIHEAP benefit payments are 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 to which you applied.
Who Gets Priority for LIHEAP Benefits?
LIHEAP benefits are awarded to eligible households 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.
Priority will be given to eligible applicants in the following order:
- At least one eligible household member who is 60 years old and receiving disability income or has a disability that is verified by a physician or a federal agency
- At least one eligible household member who is receiving disability income or has a disability that is verified by a physician or a federal agency
- At least one eligible household member with young children who are five (5) years or younger
Applicants with LIHEAP credit on their energy account will not be eligible for LIHEAP assistance until the LIHEAP credit is depleted or fully used.