While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the LIHEAP program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
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The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides assistance for energy costs to low-income households. LIHEAP is a federal program that is administered by individual states, territories, and tribes. In Utah, LIHEAP, also known as the Heat Energy Assistance Target (HEAT) Program, is administered by the Housing and Community Development Agency of Utah.
Learn more about LIHEAP by reviewing the federal program fact sheet here.
For more information about LIHEAP in Utah, click here.
The Housing and Community Development Agency of Utah oversees LIHEAP benefits and provides financial assistance for heating and cooling expenses to qualified households. Financial assistance can include payment for:
For more information about LIHEAP’s heating assistance initiative in Utah, see the Utah state 2022 LIHEAP Detailed Model Plan here.
LIHEAP Crisis Assistance, like standard LIHEAP benefits, is a cash grant provided to the utility companies of eligible individuals in certain situations.
If your household meets all the eligibility requirements above and has an energy-related crisis, you may qualify for LIHEAP Crisis Assistance.
The state of Utah defines a “crisis situation” as one where a household:
A “life-threatening crisis situation” also qualifies a household for Crisis Assistance. This occurs when:
For qualifying households, the maximum annual benefit amount for LIHEAP Crisis Assistance is a one-time payment of $2,000.
Learn more about Crisis Assistance on page 12 of the Detailed Model Plan here.
To determine the amount of energy assistance for which you are eligible, the Housing and Community Development Agency of Utah will consider:
Also, whether you are eligible for regular LIHEAP payments or Crisis Assistance payments will influence your maximum benefit amount.
As of 2024, the maximum annual benefit amount for heating or cooling in Utah is $950 and the minimum annual benefit amount is $290.
To qualify for LIHEAP in Utah, you must meet the following requirements:
The Housing and Community Development Agency of Utah prioritizes households with elderly, disabled or young members. Elderly is considered 60 years or older, and young is considered five years old or younger.
Learn more about the LIHEAP financial eligibility requirements in Utah here.
If you or a member of your family participates in the benefit programs below, then you may automatically be eligible for LIHEAP based on your income:
Eligible households can only apply for LIHEAP heating assistance from October 1st until March 31st and LIHEAP cooling assistance from April 1st until September 30th each year. LIHEAP applications cannot be submitted year-round.
To apply for LIHEAP in Utah, complete the following three steps:
Learn what documents and information you need to complete the process by reading the top of the application form here.
To apply for LIHEAP online, click here.
To apply for LIHEAP by phone, call (866) 205-4357.
To apply for LIHEAP in person, find your nearest Heat Energy Assistance Target (HEAT) office and contact information here.
To apply in person, access the Utah LIHEAP application here and print and fill it out before returning it to your local HEAT office.
If you applied online or by phone, you will not need to print a physical application.
If you do not have access to a printer or the internet to print out the paper application, you can visit your local HEAT office for a physical copy. Click here to find the HEAT office closest to you.
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact your nearest Heat Energy Assistance Target office. Find your nearest HEAT office here.
When applying for Utah LIHEAP benefits, you will need to provide:
The state will need the following documents and information to confirm your eligibility for LIHEAP benefits:
Learn more about the documentation needed during the LIHEAP application process by reviewing the application here.
You can call the HEAT office where you applied directly to check your application status.
Click here to find your local office and contact information.
The Housing and Community Development Agency of Utah will notify you within 30 days of receiving your application if you are approved to receive benefits. All LIHEAP payments are made to the heating or energy provider directly. Benefit payments will not be sent to you.
If you are denied Utah LIHEAP benefits, you may request a hearing to appeal the decision within 30 days of when you received the denial.
You can appeal your LIHEAP benefit decision and file a fair hearing request by phone, mail and fax.
To file an appeal by phone, call (877) 837-3247 and be sure to have your determination letter on hand.
To file an appeal by fax, fill out the Fair Hearing Request form found here and submit it to (877) 824-6534.
To request a fair hearing by mail, complete the request form found here and mail it to the following address:
Department of Workforce Services – Fair Hearings
P.O. Box 143245
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-3245
If you have any questions about how to request a fair hearing, call (877) 837-3247.
If you have questions about LIHEAP benefits in Utah or require further assistance, contact your local Housing and Community Development agency office. Find your nearest Heat Energy Assistance Target (HEAT) office and contact information here.
You can also contact the HEAT Association of Utah phone line at (866) 205-4357.
If you have a disability, hearing impediment or speech impediment, you can receive assistance with your application by calling (801) 526-9240 or 711.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and compiled a guide that we believe is simple to use and easy to understand. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing detailed information on the process.
Our free LIHEAP Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply for LIHEAP, program eligibility and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view our free guide here.
Last Updated: February 2, 2024