Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) (Arizona)

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) (Arizona) is sponsored by Arizona Department of Economic Security. A federally funded program that helps low-income households pay their heating/cooling bills, minimize energy crises, and make energy costs more affordable. Also offers supplemental utility assistance benefits.

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az. gov/liheap) * Arizona Rental Assistance Program * Short-Term Crisis Services * Community Action Agencies * Low Income Household Water Assistance Program * Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program # Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) ### **New:** Supplemental Utility Assistance Benefits To help with rising energy costs, DES is providing extra utility payments to eligible households.

If you were approved for LIHEAP or Power AZ on or after March 23, 2026, you qualify automatically with no application needed. DES will apply this credit directly to your utility account and send you an email notification as soon as your payment is issued. ### Power AZ is Now Available Power AZ is a new state program that expands access to utility assistance to even more Arizona households.

Learn more about it on this page. 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 Plan - FY25"), and LIHEAP Policy.

Power AZ is a state program that expands access to utility assistance provided through LIHEAP to include Arizona households with income up to 100% State Median Income (SMI). Power AZ is administered alongside LIHEAP. Applicants will complete the combined utility assistance application online in the A-to-Z Arizona Portal or using a paper application.

The application will be screened for eligibility for both Power AZ and LIHEAP. Eligibility requirements for Power AZ are the same as LIHEAP, except that households whose income exceeds the LIHEAP threshold may qualify. Due to the different income requirements, applicants may only be approved for and receive standard benefits from one of these programs during an eligibility period; not both.

The income eligibility threshold for Power AZ is up to 100% State Median Income (SMI). Power AZ Maximum Household Income Power AZ provides both regular and crisis benefits to approved households. Eligibility is limited to one (1) standard benefit and one (1) crisis benefit in a 12-month period.

Power AZ benefits are calculated using the Power AZ Benefit Matrix. The Power AZ Benefit Matrix mirrors the LIHEAP Benefit Matrix, except that it uses 100% SMI for benefit calculation and income eligibility receives a flat one (1) point allocation. See Appendix B of the Power AZ Policy.

Grievances and fraud safeguards for Power AZ are handled in the same manner as LIHEAP. For assistance, please visit your local Community Action Agency or contact the Child and Community Services Division at 1-866 494-1981. The call center is available 8:00 a.

m. to 5:00 p. m.

, Monday through Friday. To qualify for LIHEAP a household must (1) require assistance with payments for energy-related utilities, (2) meet citizenship or immigration requirements, and (3) have an income that falls within the program guidelines. If you or a member of your household currently receive DES Nutrition Assistance or DES Cash Assistance benefits, you are categorically eligible for LIHEAP.

This means you are automatically considered to meet LIHEAP income requirements. Your existing income information on file with DES will be used from your prior application. 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).

More information on the benefits applicants may qualify for can be found in the “Benefits” section. 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 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 Standard 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: 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 $4,535. Their income equals 44% of the maximum, which has three points applied. 2,000/4,535 = 0.

44 x 100 = 44% 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% 2 points are added for households that utilize deliverable/portal fuel NOTE: Only one point per category is allowed A household may receive up to the following benefit based upon their household’s evaluated points: 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 for applications received on or after October 12, 2024.

Eligible Households may request LIHEAP benefits for more than one energy utility. In these cases, the applicant must indicate the order in which benefits will be paid by selecting a number from Priority 1 (highest priority) to Priority 5 (lowest priority). Once an application is approved, LIHEAP benefits will be paid directly to each energy utility account in order of priority.

If the LIHEAP benefit can pay the full balance for Priority 1, leftover benefits will be applied to Priority 2, and so on until the full benefit has been paid. If all of your energy utilities are paid in full, any leftover amounts will be paid to your Priority 1 benefit as a credit toward future bills. Applicants can apply for LIHEAP by using the A-to-Z Arizona Portal.

Applicants unable to apply online may apply by using a paper application (see “FAQs for LIHEAP Applicants” section for links). Applicants will need to provide a copy of their current utility bill, photo ID, citizenship or immigration documentation, disconnection notice (if any), and proof of income. Failure to provide the required documentation may delay eligibility determination.

**Note:** Households that are categorically eligible based on current enrollment in DES Cash Assistance or Nutrition Assistance are not required to provide proof of income documents. Your income will be verified based on your existing information on file with DES from your prior application.

For questions about LIHEAP, or for assistance completing a LIHEAP application or grievance, please visit your local Community Action Agency or contact the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program service line at 1-866 494-1981. The call center is available 8:00 a. m.

to 5:00 p. m. , Monday through Friday.

You have the right to file a grievance when your application is not acted on in a timely manner or if you disagree with the application decision. There are two grievance options: **Option 1** - You may request Administrative Review by submitting this Decision Review form (link is external) within 10 calendar days from the date of the application decision.

Administrative Review is an internal review of the decision, and the fastest way for you to have your case reviewed. If you are not satisfied with the Administrative Review decision, you may appeal by submitting the Appeal Request form") within 20 calendar days of the decision. **Option 2** - You may immediately appeal, without Administrative Review, to have your application decision reviewed by the administrative court.

If you request an appeal, you cannot request an Administrative Review. Any questions regarding the program decision will be addressed during a pre-hearing conference. You can file an appeal by submitting an Appeal Request form within 20 calendar days of the application decision.

DES will mitigate fraud by verifying the identities of LIHEAP applicants before an application is submitted by using the identity verification service ID. me (link is external). During the application process, applicants will receive a notice through their selected method of communication with a unique link and instructions on how to use ID.

me. Applicants may submit a paper application, along with a government-issued identification to verify their identity if ID. me is not used.

Individuals who suspect fraud or believe they may have been a victim of identity theft and believe their personal information was used to file a fraudulent application for LIHEAP can submit a fraud report online to DES or contact the fraud hotline at 1 (800) 251-2436 or (602) 542-9449. When reporting potential fraud, please be prepared to provide identifying information that will help locate the application in our systems.

LIHEAP is administered in accordance with federal regulations, the Arizona LIHEAP State Plan Plan - FY25"), and LIHEAP Policy. Power AZ is administered in accordance withPower AZ Policy.

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