Help paying your electric bill in Alaska
Alaska got $12.2 million in the HHS table, about $45 for each of its 267,865 households. Income limit 150% of the poverty guideline; public line 800-478-7778. Heating help reached 5,150 households in FY2024.
Who to call in Alaska
- Alaska LIHEAP public line800-478-7778
- State program sitedhss.alaska.gov/dpa/Pages/hap/default.aspx
- Regulatory Commission of Alaska907-276-6222 (links checked 2026-10-02)
National LIHEAP line 1-866-674-6327; 211 for local help.
How heavy is the energy bill in Alaska?
11.2% of income in low-income households, 3.2% overall. Ranking, Alaska prices.
| Group | Count | Alaska detail | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 60% of median income | 66,593 households | 11.2% of income; $2,656 a year on $23,687 | rank 6 of 51 |
| All households | 264,376 households | 3.2%; $3,242 on $102,298 | rank 4 of 51 |
| Below poverty line | 25,818 households | 9.6% of 267,865 | U.S. 12.5%; rank 46 of 51 |
| Home price 2025 | 26.11 ¢/kWh | bill $147 a month at 564 kWh | U.S. 17.23 ¢, $151 |
CSV
CSVWhere Alaska's low-income bills bite hardest
- Highest burden: Copper River Census Area 30.4% (346 households); Dillingham Census Area 25.7% (558 households); Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area 24.2% (1,048 households); Bethel Census Area 21.8% (2,155 households).
- Most low-income households: Anchorage Municipality 22,909 (6.1%); Matanuska-Susitna Borough 10,290 (9.5%); Fairbanks North Star Borough 8,430 (10.3%).
22 counties.
Alaska in numbers
- Alaska ranks 16th of 51 on FY26 LIHEAP dollars per household ($45), 46th on households below the poverty line (9.6%) and 6th on low-income energy burden (11.2%).
- Per household below the poverty line (25,818 of them) the FY26 funds come to $471, rank 10th of 51: 27% of a typical year's electricity ($1,766). (even split, not a payment amount)
- 4,333 households got help in FY2022 against 66,593 at or below 60% of state median income in the 2022 LEAD file: about 7% (mixed years).
- Average heating benefit FY2022: $1,350, 76% of that year.
- Heating season: October 1 - April 30. Counted FY2024: heating, weatherization.
LIHEAP in Alaska: money, limits, people helped
| Measure | Alaska | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Funds FY2026 | $12,158,576 = $10,645,190 + $277,127 IIJA + $1,236,259 | FY26 table |
| Income limit | 150% of poverty guideline (how limits work: see guide) | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Benefits FY2026 | Heating: $350 minimum; $6,125 max Crisis: $6,125 maximum | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Helped FY2024 | Heating: 5,150 Year-round crisis: 813 Weatherization: 128 | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Program dates | Heating: October 1 - April 30 Winter Crisis: October 1 - June 30 Weatherization: year-round | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
CSV
CSVAm I likely eligible in Alaska?
Median household income in Alaska is $89,336, 217% of the four-person guideline; check line 150% (2026 guideline).
Shutoff rules and moratoria in Alaska
Alaska: cold weather: no rule listed; hot weather: no rule listed; health or age needs yes.
| Protection | Alaska |
|---|---|
| Health or age needs | "if a utility has been informed that a residence is occupied by a person seriously ill, elderly, with a disability, or dependent on life support systems, the utility shall provide the notice required by (1) of this subsection at least 30 days before the scheduled date of disconnection." |
Clearinghouse, April 2026; cites Alaska Administrative Code - Disconnection of Services.
Rule text read, 2 October 2026: 3 AAC 52.450 (Disconnection of service) with 3 AAC 52.445 (Deferred payment agreements) and 3 AAC 52.400 (Application). Alaska has no cold or hot weather shutoff ban in this rule. Utilities must mail or deliver 15 days written notice, 30 days if a seriously ill, elderly, disabled or life-support-dependent person lives there, and then try personal contact 3 working days before cutoff. No disconnection on Fridays or the day before a holiday; hardship customers are entitled to a payment plan of up to 12 months. Quote: “at least 15 days before the scheduled date of disconnection, mail or deliver to the customer a written notice”. Source: text of the rule (state official (Alaska Legislature AAC print view); also read on Cornell LII https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/alaska/3-AAC-52.450 (source of effective dates)).
| Point | Alaska: 3 AAC 52.450 (Disconnection of service) with 3 AAC 52.445 (Deferred payment agreements) and 3 AAC 52.400 (Application) |
|---|---|
| Winter / cold | no season or temperature ban found in the text read |
| Heat | no season or temperature ban found in the text read |
| Who is protected | If the utility knows the residence has a person seriously ill, elderly, with a disability, or dependent on life support, the written notice must be given at least 30 days before disconnection; if told after a notice issued, the disconnection date is extended by 15 days. Disconnection is also barred while a customer in a timely deferred-payment negotiation or compliant with a plan, or while a disputed bill is under investigation (undisputed part must still be paid). |
| Notice | Standard: written notice mailed or delivered at least 15 days before disconnection (copy to designated third party); then attempt personal contact (phone, or visit with Shut-Off Notice) not less than 3 working days before disconnection. Disconnect only Monday 8 a.m. to Thursday 5 p.m. within 10 days of the Shut-Off Notice date; not on a Friday or day before a holiday. Nonpayment ground: bill unpaid 40 days after initial rendering. |
| Payment plan | 3 AAC 52.445: for a residential customer showing economic hardship, utility may not refuse to restore or continue service unless the customer refuses a deferred payment plan: pay one-third or less down, remaining balance in installments over up to 12 months (plan at least 3 months unless customer agrees shorter). |
| Who the rule covers | 3 AAC 52.400(a): 3 AAC 52.400-52.500 apply to all electric utilities subject to the Regulatory Commission of Alaska jurisdiction. Co-op or muni treatment not stated in the text read. |
| Complaints | Notice must give the commission phone, address and website and state the customer may file a complaint with the commission under 3 AAC 48.120 or 48.130. Commission phone number not read this session. |
Did not read utility tariffs, 3 AAC 48 complaint procedure, AS 42.05 statutes, or any state or utility assistance program.
Paraphrase, not legal advice. Rules change; see the shutoff rules guide.
Utility and state bill programs in Alaska
- Power Cost Equalization Program (PCE) PCE program provides economic assistance to customers in rural areas of Alaska where the kilowatt-hour charge for electricity can be three to five times higher than the charge in more urban areas of the state.
- General Relief Assistance (GRA) GRA provides for the basic needs of Alaskans not eligible for other state assistance programs. Examples of basic needs include shelter, and utilities.
- MOST USED LINKS Model Plans States/Territories Tribes Policy Manuals States/Territories Tribes Benefits States/Territories Tribes Income Eligibility States/Territories Tribes Categorical Eligibility States/Territories Tribes Funding...
Excerpts, section of 20 Apr 2026. Utilities: none.
Alaska on the map
5 steps if you get a shutoff notice in Alaska
- Note the notice date.
- Call the utility (Regulatory Commission of Alaska sets rules).
- Call 800-478-7778 or 211.
- Ask about protection for your season or health needs.
- Unresolved: Regulatory Commission of Alaska, 907-276-6222.
Sources
Linked above; list on the hub.
Last verified: 2 October 2026. Not legal advice.
Questions
Is LIHEAP money enough for an Alaska bill?
$471 per poor household, 27% of $1,766.
How much LIHEAP money does Alaska get?
$12.2 million in FY2026, $45 per household, rank 16 of 51.
What income limit does Alaska use for LIHEAP?
$51,225 for three people at 150% of the guideline; median household income $89,336; FY2022 heating standard 148% for four.
How do I apply for LIHEAP in Alaska?
Call 800-478-7778. Site: http://dhss.alaska.gov/dpa/Pages/hap/default.aspx
Can Alaska utilities cut power in winter or summer?
Cold months: no rule listed. Hot months: no rule listed.
How big is the energy burden in Alaska?
11.2% of income for low-income households, 3.2% for all; $2,656 a year for the first group.
How many Alaska households got energy help?
4,333 in FY2022, 5,150 heating in FY2024, average heating benefit $1,350.