The program runs from October 1st through April 30th each year.
CONTACT US:
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HOURS
8:00am-5:00pm
Monday-Friday
LOCATION
Chief Peter John Tribal Building
122 1st Ave
Fairbanks, AK 99701
Our Staff & Services
Sarah Wheeler, Energy Assistance Coordinator
My name is Sarah Wheeler, and I am the Energy Assistance Coordinator for Tanana Chiefs Conference. I am passionate about serving the people in our communities and helping families access the resources they need. Every day, I enjoy learning more about Alaska Native culture and traditions, and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve our communities and to learn from the people and traditions that make Alaska so unique. Outside of work, you’ll usually find me gathering wild berries, hunting and fishing with my husband, preserving the food we harvest, and spending time on our homestead. I love living as self-sufficiently as possible and embracing the Alaskan lifestyle through gardening, canning, and making the most of what the land provides.
Mary Rauch, Energy Assistance Support Specialist
My name is Mary Rauch. I was born and raised in Tok, Alaska, and moved to Fairbanks in 2025. I am a proud mother to my son. In March 2026, I began working for Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) as an Energy Assistance Support Specialist. I enjoy helping others and supporting communities throughout Interior Alaska.
In my free time, I love traveling, reading, spending time with family, beading, picking berries, and hiking. I value my Alaska roots and enjoy the many outdoor activities and traditions that keep me connected to my family and culture.
We are able to serve non-Native and Native residents in:
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Services can only be provided for Native residents in and around Anderson, Clear, Delta Junction, and the Fairbanks area.
Below you will find the Income Limits for the 2025 Energy Assistance Program Year, effective 10/1/24 based on the 60% SMI.
Village FY 2027 Income Guidelines
| Family Size | Net Monthly Income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $3,344.83 |
| 2 | $4,374.08 |
| 3 | $5,403.25 |
| 4 | $6,432.50 |
| 5 | $7,461.67 |
| 6 | $8,490.83 |
| 7 | $8,683.88 |
| 8 | $8,876.50 |
| 9 | $9,069.83 |
| 10 | $9,262.80 |
| 11 | $9,455.78 |
| 12 | $9,648.75 |
Payments from Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD), Old Age Benefit, and Senior Assistance Program do not count as income.
In order to process your application in a timely manner we need the following information:
- Please, make sure the application is completed and signed.
- EACH adult in your household (18 years & older) needs to sign the Energy Assistance Release of Information Form.
- Include income verification for all countable income for Household from the PREVIOUS month from which you complete and sign your application. Example: If you sign your application in October, we need all income for your household for September. For Pay Stubs, we go by the PAYDATE not the pay period.
- Provide a copy of the head of household’s State ID, Social Security card, and the most recent heating receipt from your vendor with your application. Clients residing in the Fairbanks area must also provide a copy of their Tribal ID.
- Applications have to be signed by the Tribal Administrator or Tribal Workforce Development Specialist (TWDS) Worker.
- We are accepting Elder Applications starting September 1st.
An Energy Assistance Crisis Payment is available one time per season per eligible household.
Public Comment Opportunity
Tanana Chiefs Conference is seeking public comments on the proposed Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) plan. Your feedback is important and helps guide our services. Please share your comments by completing the form at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XPMSDDS