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While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the LIHEAP program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
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The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides assistance for energy costs to low-income households. LIHEAP is a federal program that is administered by individual states, territories, and tribes. In Arkansas, LIHEAP is administered by the Department of Energy and Environment, Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ) also referred to as the Arkansas Energy Office.
Learn more about LIHEAP by reviewing the federal program fact sheet here.
For more information about LIHEAP in Arkansas, click here.
The Arkansas Energy Office oversees LIHEAP benefits and provides financial assistance for heating and cooling expenses to qualified households through community-based organizations (CBOs). Financial assistance can include payment for:
For more information about LIHEAP’s heating assistance initiative in Arkansas, see the Arkansas state 2022 LIHEAP Detailed Model Plan here.
LIHEAP Crisis Assistance, like standard LIHEAP benefits, is a cash grant provided to the utility companies of eligible individuals in certain situations.
If your household meets all the eligibility requirements above and has an energy-related crisis, you may qualify for LIHEAP Crisis Assistance.
The state of Arkansas defines a “crisis situation” as one where a household:
A “life-threatening crisis situation” also qualifies a household for Crisis Assistance. This occurs when:
For qualifying households, the maximum annual benefit amount for LIHEAP Crisis Assistance is a one-time payment of $2,000.
Learn more about Crisis Assistance on page 12 of the Detailed Model Plan, which you can download from the Arizona LIHEAP web page. Find it under the “Forms and Other Resources” tab here.
To determine the amount of energy assistance for which you are eligible, the Arkansas CBO will consider:
Also, whether you are eligible for regular LIHEAP payments or Crisis Assistance payments will influence your maximum benefit amount.
As of 2022, the maximum annual benefit amount in Arkansas is $950 for heating and $574 for cooling, and the minimum annual benefit amount is $100 for heating and cooling.
To qualify for LIHEAP in Arkansas, you must meet the following requirements:
The CBOs in Arkansas prioritizes households with elderly, disabled or young members. Elderly is considered 60 years or older, and young is considered five years old or younger.
Learn more about the LIHEAP financial eligibility requirements in Arkansas here.
If you or a member of your family participates in the benefit programs below, then you may automatically be eligible for LIHEAP based on your income:
Eligible households can only apply for LIHEAP assistance beginning in January (winter program) and July (summer program) annually. Specific dates differ each year.
To apply for LIHEAP in Arkansas, complete the following three steps:
Learn what documents and information you need to complete the process here.
Find your nearest community-based organization and contact information here.
Access the Arkansas LIHEAP application here.
Note that applications for Crisis Assistance, for households that meet the state definition of a crisis, can be submitted year-round.
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact your nearest CBO or Community Action Agency (CAA) office. Find your nearest CBO here or CAA office here.
When applying for Arkansas LIHEAP benefits, you will need to provide:
The state will need the following documents and information to confirm your eligibility for LIHEAP benefits:
Learn more about the documentation needed during the LIHEAP application process here.
You can call the CBO where you applied to directly to check your application status.
Click here to find your local office and contact information.
The CBO where you applied will notify you within 30 days of receiving your application if you are approved to receive benefits unless you are eligible for Crisis Assistance, then the CBO will notify you within 18 or 48 hours.
All LIHEAP payments are made to the heating or energy provider directly. Benefit payments will not be sent to you.
If you are denied Arkansas LIHEAP benefits, you may request a hearing to appeal the decision by writing a statement to your local community-based organization where you applied within 30 days of when you received the denial. Find your nearest local CBO office here.
If the CBO representative cannot resolve the dispute, you can request a hearing with the Arkansas Energy Office. To begin this process, use the “Request for Appeal Hearing” form, which you can find here, and mail it to:
Division of Environmental Quality
Arkansas Energy Office
5301 Northshore Drive
North Little Rock, AR 72118-5317
Once the Arkansas Energy Office receives the appeal, they will set up a hearing and notify you of the date, time and location.
If you have questions about the appeal process, contact the Arkansas Energy Office at (501) 682-0744.
If you have questions about LIHEAP benefits in Arkansas or require further assistance, contact your local Community Action Agency office. Find your nearest community-based organization (CBO) and contact information here.
You can also contact the CAA Association of Arkansas’ phone line at (501) 372-0807.
For general questions, call the Arkansas Energy Office at (501) 682-0744.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and compiled a guide that we believe is simple to use and easy to understand. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing detailed information on the process.
Our free LIHEAP Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply for LIHEAP, program eligibility requirements and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.
Last Updated: September 16, 2022