Utility Bill Assistance

 

Arizona Low Income Energy Assistance Program LIHEAP

The Arizona Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program provides money and cash grants to qualified low income families. The funds come from a federal government funded block grant, and aid is offered to seniors, disabled and other qualified low-income households in Arizona. Many Community Action Agencies and social service groups assist low income residents through this program, and they accept applications.

Grants can help pay for home heating costs, and sometimes money may be offered for summer cooling or air conditioning bills. The objective is to keep those who are most at-risk or vulnerable safe and help ensure their utilities remain on.

The Arizona LIHEAP program offers financial and emergency assistance to individuals with disabilities, low-income households with young children and the elderly. A focus is on them as these groups are the most vulnerable to issues that could result from their power being disconnected. For example, they may have health risks associated with inadequately heated or cooled homes. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps low-income households with high energy costs and who pay a lot of their income towards their bills. The federal government, from LIHEAP, requires that the highest level of cash assistance be provided to the lowest income households that have the highest energy consumption, taking into account the number of family members.

Unfortunately studies show that when people cannot afford to pay their utility bills, or when their power is disconnected, some will seek alternatives that are usually dangerous. They may turn to heating or cooling methods malfunctioning portable heaters, inadequate fans, charcoal heaters or even unsafe space heaters. Others may also simply turn the air conditioner or heat down and be at risk from a dangerously uncomfortable home. LIHEAP is federally funded to help low-income and working poor households in Arizona cope with their high energy costs. It can help them keep their homes health and safe so they do not turn to these alternative methods.

 

 

 

 

 

LIHEAP also has a crisis intervention component. This can provide immediate response to address and resolve any potentially life-threatening situations, such as when someone uses medical equipment and they need to have utilities to keep that powered.

In addition to financial aid, the client education component of the utility assistance program provides advice and guidance to Arizona clients. It will, among other things, encourage reduction of energy use through energy efficiency, promote energy awareness, encourage regular utility payments, and offer weatherization services.

City of Phoenix - Human Services Department
200 West Washington, 18th Floor
Phoenix, AZ 85003
Telephone :(602) 262-4520

Coconino County Community Services Dept.
2625 N. King Street
Flagstaff, AZ 86004
Telephone :(928) 679-7425
Support Coconino County.

Community Action Human Resources Agency
109 N. Sunshine Boulevard
Eloy, AZ 85131
Telephone:(520) 466-1112
Offers LIHEAP in Pinal County Arizona.

Gila County Community Action
5515 S. Apache Avenue, Suite 200
Globe, AZ 85501
Telephone: (928) 425-7631

Glendale Community Action Program
5949 W. Northern Avenue, Suite 205
Glendale, AZ 85301
Telephone number is (623) 930-2854

Maricopa County Human Services Department
234 N. Central Ave., Suite 3000
Phoenix, AZ 85004-2208
Telephone:(602) 506-5911

Mesa Community Action Network (MesaCAN)
868 E. University Drive
Mesa, AZ 85203
Telephone:(480) 833-9200

Northern Arizona Council of Government
119 E. Aspen Avenue
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Telephone:(928) 774-1895
The counties of Apache, Navajo, Yavapai, and Coconino are supported by this agency.

Pima County Community Action Agency
2797 E. Ajo Way, 3rd Floor
Tucson, AZ 85713
(520) 243-6748

 

 

 

Southeastern Arizona Community Action Program, Inc.
283 W. 5th Street
Safford, AZ 85546
Call (928) 428-4653
Counties - Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, Santa Cruz

Western Arizona Council of Governments
224 South 3rd Avenue
Yuma, AZ 85364
Primary phone:(928) 782-1886
Yuma, LaPaz, Mohave County