Areas served:

Bradley, Drew, Desha, Ashley, Chicot.

Arkansas Community Action Agencies (CAAs) offer a variety of opportunities for low- and moderate-income Arkansans to increase the stability of their families and levels of self-sufficiency.

Low-income people have opportunities to be engaged as members of their communities through volunteering and other civic activities.

People with disabilities and the elderly are equipped with support and emergency services that help them maintain independent living status.

Infants, children, and young people receive development services that enable them to reach their full potential.

Arkansas CAA works with a network of social partners to provide opportunities for families and improve living conditions in low-income communities.

Services provided:

Programs for energy efficiency and assistance to utilities.

Utility costs for low-income households consume a significant part of their monthly income.

Improving the energy efficiency of these homes will not only reduce your utility bills but also reduce your energy consumption.

LIHEAP

Arkansas Community Action Agencies to help with public services for low-income families under the federally funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

This program works on a first-come, first-served basis.
Funding is limited.

LIHEAP Regular Assistance Program
Payment of fixed benefits is provided on the basis of the monthly income and size of the household.

The income guidelines are revised annually.

In general, LIHEAP services are paid directly to public service companies on behalf of the applicant.

Eligible families may receive assistance per program once.

LIHEAP Crisis Intervention Program

Provides assistance to low-income families to avoid disconnection or to restore service after disconnecting.

State policy determines the maximum amount of aid available per household.

Benefits are paid directly to the utility company.

Eligible families may receive assistance once per program.

A copy of a shut-off notification notice is needed.

Information required for the application.

Requirements Needed:

Proof of Residency

Proof of income for all members of the household and from all sources that were received in the month.

Proof of income:

- Copies of the control slips showing pay before tax for full-time, part-time, or self-employed persons

- Statement by the Department of Employment Security for all unemployed adults

- Statement by the Office for the Application of Child Support, if one or more natural parents are not in the family

- Copy of the letter of award or bank statement showing automatic deposits from Social Security,  veterans administration, or other pensions or disability benefits

- Identification of members of all households (name, date of birth, social security number) 

- Copy of utility charges

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance program is called LIHEAP. They assist low income people and families with their heating and cooling bills. This program is therefore, a year long program that is available 12 months a year. To qualify for the LIHEAP assistance, you need to qualify. We provide the current Federal Poverty Rates nationwide below.

You are automatically qualified for LIHEAP assistance if you participate in the SNAP food stamps program, TANF Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or the SSI program through Social Security.

Federal Poverty Guidelines for 2024

Persons In Family	Earnings (100% Fed Poverty Guideline)
1	$15,060
2	$20,440
3	$25,820
4	$31,200
5	$36,580
6	$41,960
7	$47,340
8	$52,720

*Alaska and Hawaii have different rates for HUD federal poverty guidelines.
These numbers above represent 100% of the Federal Poverty Rate. In order to get legal aid from some offices, they use a sliding fee scale. When they use a sliding fee scale, the 100% rate can be different than 100%. In those cases, using for example a 200% federal poverty level, you will only need double the 100% number listed above to 200%.

User questions & answers

Have you used the Southeast Arkansas Community Action LIHEAP Utility Assistance service before? If so, please help our website users by answer these questions below.