STATE OF ALASKA

Department of Health 

Division of Public Assistance

TRANSMITTAL NUMBER: 2026-01

MANUAL: Heating Assistance Program

DATE: April 1, 2026

Several sections of the Heating Assistance Program Policy Manual have been revised in order to incorporate new policy, clarify existing policy, and align policies within our division's policy manuals.

If you have questions, please contact the Policy & Program Development Team at hss.dpa.policy@alaska.gov.

OVERVIEW OF CHANGES

MS 3001-5            DEFINITIONS

• Revised the "Energy Bill Credit Exceeds Maximum Allowed" reason for clarity.

MS 3002-1           TYPES OF HOUSEHOLDS

• Updated categorical eligibility criteria to include households participating in ATAP.Alaska Temporary Assistance Program

MS 3003-4           INCOME FROM SELF-EMPLOYMENT

• Updated the Self-Employment Annualization Standards used in examples to align with FYFiscal Year2026 calculations.

MS 3004-5           GRANT COMPUTATION

• Updated income amounts used in grant computation examples to reflect Federal Poverty Level (FPL) guidelines used for FYFiscal Year2026.

MS 3008-3           DISTRIBUTION OF GRANT BETWEEN HEATING AND ELECTRICITY

• Clarified that the heating/electric benefit split is a fixed 50/50 option only; partial or discretionary splits are not allowed. Exceptions apply only when issuing more than 50% to electricity to restore or prevent disconnection.