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)
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 | 26.09 ¢/kWh | bill $147 a month at 564 kWh | U.S. 17.30 ¢, $152 |
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 ($1,765). (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 by none listed; hot weather by none 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... |
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. The program seeks...
- 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. GRA can provide limited assistance for clothing, transportation, food, medical...
- 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 none listed-based or health protection.
- 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 a Alaska bill?
$471 per poor household, 27% of $1,765.
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?
none listed for cold; none listed for heat.
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.