Arkansas LIHEAP is a federally funded program that provides financial assistance towards home energy costs to around 60,000 households every year within the state. In addition to financial energy assistance, this Arkansas program also provides grants to low income families for weatherization expenses in order to make homes more energy efficient, therefore cutting down future energy costs. By aiding families in reducing energy cost, the program reduces the need for financial assistance.
If you are in need of utility assistance or your family would like to cut down on future energy costs through weatherization, it is worth reviewing the eligibility requirements that must be met in order to receive aid from these programs. By learning how to apply for assistance, you can expedite your application process and ensure that your application contains all the necessary documents needed to submit your application.
Learn About Types of LIHEAP Energy Assistance in Arkansas
By providing energy and heating assistance in Arkansas, the state safeguards the health and wellness of its residents, especially individuals who are more prone to serious illness if a home becomes too cold or too hot, such as the elderly, disabled individuals and very young children.
This low income home energy assistance program provides grants to eligible participants one time per year. Grants are deposited directly onto a participant’s utility account in order to pay for current past due amounts. Not only is this benefit available to qualifying Arkansas residents, but the state also provides expedited applications in the event of an emergency application. An emergency application occurs if a household receives a shut off notice from the utility company.
In addition to providing utility assistance, the program also provides grants for weatherization upgrades within a home. By providing financing for weatherization, Arkansas families will incur less energy costs moving forward and will need be in need of less financial assistance for utilities. If a household is deemed eligible for financial assistance with weatherization, a DOE trained Energy Auditor will visit the home to complete a full inspection of the energy, health and safety concerns within the home. Work on the home is then completing through use of local private-sector weatherization contractors and Community Action Agencies (CAA’s) crews in order to provide these home upgrades to households at no cost.
Energy assistance through weatherization may vary depending on the specific needs of a home. However, common weatherization measures include, but are not limited to:
- Air sealing.
- Insulation installation and repair.
- Minor repairs associated with weatherization.
- Weather-stripping.
This Arkansas LIHEAP program accepts applications for weatherization throughout the entire year.
Learn more about the types of LIHEAP assistance available in our downloadable guide.
What are the Arkansas LIHEAP requirements?
Before you apply for LIHEAP in Arkansas, you are strongly encouraged to familiarize yourself with the eligibility requirements that are associated with the program. By doing so, you will be able to better prepare for the application process and you may be able to determine whether or not you will qualify for regular or crisis assistance or for the weatherization program.
If you need utility assistance, the state may be able to provide aid to you if you are an Arkansas resident who is considered to be of low income. Income related limits are based upon 60 percent of the state median income level for both regular and crisis assistance. If you receive assistance from another program such as Medicaid, TANF or SNAP, you will likely be considered eligible for assistance through this program.
The LIHEAP weatherization program is only available to Arkansas residents who have incomes that do not exceed 200 percent of federal poverty guidelines. Weatherization is far more limited than assistance with utility bills when it comes to funding. Therefore, priority is based on a point system with higher priority provides to households that contain individuals who are elderly, children, Native American or disabled.
How to Apply for LIHEAP in Arkansas
To apply for utility bill assistance for low income families in Arkansas, you must contact your local Community Action Agency either in person or over the phone. An application for assistance cannot be submitted online or by mail at this time. For the Weatherization Assistance program, you may apply either at your local Community Action Agency or a non-profit organization that is serving your local community.
When applying for LIHEAP, it is important to know that you will need to provide several documents in order to complete your application as these documents will help case workers verify whether or not you are eligible to receive assistance from the program. The documents that must be included with your application are:
- Proof of identity, satisfied with an Arkansas drivers license or identification card.
- Your Social Security card or another document that displays your Social Security number.
- Proof of income for all adults who are 18 years of age or older in the home, such as with paycheck stubs, for a full month prior to the application.
- If you have minor children living within your home and you receive child support, you will need to provide proof of that income.
- A copy of both your current heating and electric bill.
To receive energy assistance or weatherization assistance, you will be required to provide information regarding each member of your household on your application, including names, birth dates and Social Security numbers.
Find out more about the LIHEAP application process in our free guide.
How much could LIHEAP pay in Arkansas?
Arkansas LIHEAP income guidelines will not only verify whether a household is eligible for assistance, but also the amount of benefits that may be applied to a household’s utility account. However, income levels are not the only factor when determining benefits. Benefits are also determined by the area that you live in, the type of energy your home uses, funding and availability. If you are awarded assistance, you will be informed on the amount of assistance that your household is eligible to receive. As stated previously, payments are made directly to a utility company and each household may only receive assistance once per year.
If you are applying for the LIHEAP weatherization program, it is important to keep in mind that funding is limited and therefore, benefits are not guaranteed. However, if your household is deemed eligible for assistance, the average grant size is up to $5,000, depending on the needs of the home.
How can I check the status of my LIHEAP application?
After applying for LIHEAP in Arkansas, you may check your application by contacting the Community Action Agency or nonprofit organization that you submitted your application through. There is currently no way to check your application status online. However, you may contact your local agency or organization by phone or in person in order to verify your application status.