AMERICANS in the state of Alaska will receive a one-time payment to help them with their heating costs.
Alaska’s Heat Assistance Program is open to low-income households in the state and supports recipients between October and April every year.
Alaska is supporting residents who cannot pay their energy bills[/caption]
It comes shortly after Alaska paid out its Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) to residents who stayed in the state for an entire calendar year.
There are two main criteria that you need to meet to qualify for the Heat Assistance Program.
Firstly, you must spend at least $200 a year on heating costs.
You must also not exceed the monthly income thresholds set by the program.
This determines that the more people per household, the lower the monthly threshold is that they cannot cross.
The thresholds are:
- 1 person = $2,350
- 2 people = $3,192
- 3 people = $4,033
- 4 people = $4,875
- 5 people = $5,715
- 6 people = $6,556
For households of more than six people, they need to add an extra $841 per person.
A new application will be opened after October 1, and you can find it by clicking this link.
An application can be submitted at a local Public Assistance Office, and it can also be sent by mail or email.
You can find your local Public Assistance Office by heading to the website.
MORE SUPPORT
This form is the same one used to sign up for other financial support programs in Alaska, including Crisis Assistance and the Subsidized Rental Housing Utility Deposit (SRHUD).
SRHUD helps with deposits to establish subsidized rental buildings where heat is included in the rent.
Renters do pay for their own electricity and gas for cooking, and applications are open year-round.
Crisis Assistance is a one-time payment paid in specific crises, and applications are also accepted all year round.
LIHEAP PROGRAM
LIHEAP is a federal grant and aid program, but unlike other federal programs such as SNAP, states have leeway in setting eligibility guidelines.
To check eligibility and apply, visit your state’s website or call the National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) project.
NEAR is a free service providing more information on where to apply.
Other ways to apply:
- Call the toll-free phone number at 1-866-674-6327
- Send an e-mail to energy@ncat.org
- Contact your State’s LIHEAP office
PERMANENT FUND DIVIDEND
Alaska started sending out its PFD to citizens back in August worth $1,702.
The payment is made up of two components: $1,440 from the actual fund, and $262 as a bonus due to rising oil prices.
It is still being sent out in waves to those in Alaska based on when they had the “Eligible-Not Paid” status on their application.
The first wave went out on September 11; the second will not go out until October 2.
Those in the final wave will not be paid until October 23.
