The HEAT Program helps households pay their power and gas bills year-round. We offer crisis assistance year-round. If you live in Salt Lake County or Tooele County and you need help with your heating or cooling costs, apply today.
For families on a tight budget, utility bills can account for a high portion of household income, leaving little money left for savings or other expenses. The HEAT program helps households cover their utility bills to avoid shut-off, gain energy education to decrease the cost of utilities, and budgeting to reach self-reliance.
HEAT offers yearly assistance for income-eligible households for power and gas bills. Clients are eligible once per season, which runs from October 1 – September 30. Water and other utilities are not covered at this time. If approved, clients can choose what portion of their benefit they would like to go towards gas and electric based on their household needs.
Crisis assistance is available for those with a qualified crisis and a 48-hour shut-off notice. Please note that a 48-hour shut-off notice does not guarantee you an expedited appointment or application and that you are responsible to keep paying your utility bills. Crisis assistance is available in addition to regular seasonal assistance.
The Home Electric Lifeline Program (HELP) provides qualified Rocky Mountain Power (RMP) customers with discounts on their monthly electric bills. The best way to apply for HELP is to apply for HEAT and get the benefit of both programs. If you have applied for HEAT or Crisis assistance and have Rocky Mountain Power for your electricity, you have already received the monthly discount of $13.47 a month which adds up to $161.64 per year. If you want to apply for HELP separately, print the application and follow the instructions at the bottom. For assistance call (801) 359-2444 or toll-free 844-214-3090.
General
Applicant must be the person responsible for the utilities and at least one household member needs to be a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen (see pages 7-8 of the HEAT Policy Manual).
By income
Households who make 150% or less of the federal poverty level are eligible for services. Precedence is given to elderly and disabled households, as well as those with children under the age of six.
By location
Utah Community Action’s HEAT program serves Salt Lake and Tooele Counties. For utility assistance in other counties, click here.
Here is what to expect when applying for HEAT. Once you submit HEAT application, please note that it will take 6-8 weeks to process. After that time, you will receive an approval or denial letter by mail. If approved, it will take 6-10 days after that for the HEAT benefit to show in your utility accounts.
Submit your HEAT application by mail, fax, drop-off, email or complete an application online. You can also schedule an appointment to submit your application by calling (801) 359-2444. All applications options are processed at similar speeds.
Once your application has been submitted, a HEAT worker will reach out to you for additional information if needed. To expedite your application, please submit all additional materials in a timely manner to your HEAT worker.
After your HEAT worker and an editor have reviewed your application, it will be denied or approved. If you are approved you will receive a letter in the mail and the benefits will show in your utility accounts in 6-10 days. If you are denied, you are able to reapply.
The HEAT utility assistance program is still accepting applications for seasonal and crisis assistance! There are several ways to apply for our HEAT program. If you need help with the application process, please call (801) 359-2444.
During phone appointments, HEAT staff will guide you through the application process and answer any questions you may have. To schedule an appointment, call (801) 359-2444.
You might qualify to submit your HEAT application online. Click below to see if you’re eligible. Apply Online
