LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansans will soon be able to apply for financial assistance for electricity bills starting on July 8 through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
LIHEAP operates on a first-come-first-served basis, allowing residential households to apply for assistance with both heating and cooling costs during the summer and winter.
Arkansas LIHEAP offers two types of benefit payments:
- Regular: A one-time payment based on the household income and the number of household members.
- Crisis: A one-time payment if you are facing disconnection, have a past due balance or the bill is prepaid for less than seven days.
"It’s the amount of income that’s in the household, what type of utility they’re seeking assistance with, and the number of people that’s in that household," said Todd Anderson with the Central Arkansas Development Council, which is the organization that will operate LIHEAP in most of Central Arkansas.
According to the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment (ADEE), in the summer of 2023, 44,278 Arkansans were served while 46,121 were served during that year's winter program.
This year, a total of $27 million was allocated to the program. ADEE added that about half of the funding was spent during the winter program.
The chart below can help determine if your household is eligible for LIHEAP assistance:
Click here to find the community-based organization that services your community.