Area served: Conway, Franklin, Johnson, Logan, Perry, Polk, Pope, Scott, Yell

Arkansas Community Action Agencies (CAAs) offers a variety of opportunities for Arkansas citizens on low or moderate incomes to increase the stability of their families and their levels of self-sufficiency.
People on low incomes are given the opportunity to become committed members of their communities through volunteering and other civic activities.
People with disabilities and the elderly are offered with support and emergency services that help them maintain an independent life status.
Babies, children and young people are offered with development services to enable them to reach their full potential.

Arkansas CAAs work with a network of community partners to offer opportunities for families and improve living conditions in low-income communities.
Services offered:
Energy Efficiency and Utility Assistance Programs
Utility costs for low-income families consume a considerable amount of their monthly income.
Increasing the energy efficiency of these families not only reduces their utility costs, but also reduces energy consumption.
LIHEAP
Arkansas Community Action Agencies offer energy assistance to low-income households through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which is funded by the federal government.
This program is run on a first-come, first-served basis.
Funding is limited.

LIHEAP Regular Assistance Program
A fixed benefit based on the monthly income and size of the family.
Income guidelines are reviewed annually.
Generally, LIHEAP benefits are paid directly to utilities on behalf of the applicant.
Qualified households can receive assistance once for each program.
LIHEAP Crisis Intervention Program
Offers assistance to low-income families to avoid disconnection or to restore service after disconnection.
State policy determines the maximum amount of aid available per family.
Benefits are paid directly to utilities.
Qualified families can receive assistance once per program.
A copy of a disconnection notice is required.

Information needed to apply:
Proof of residency
Proof of income for all members of the family and from all sources that was received in the month preceding the request for assistance may include proof of income:

Copies of check stubs showing pre-tax wages for full time, part time or self-employment.

Statement from Employment Security Department for all unemployed adults
Statement from the Office of Child Support Enforcement, if one or more natural parents are not in the household

Copy of grant letter or bank statement with automatic payments from Social Security, SSI, Veterans administration or other pensions or invalidity benefits.

Identifying information for all family members (names, dates of birth, social security numbers) o Copy of utility bill.

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 Arkansas River Valley Area Council (ARVAC) LIHEAP Utility Assistance service before? If so, please help our website users by answer these questions below.