Area Served:

Calhoun, Clark, Columbia, Dallas, Hot Spring, Lonoke, Montgomery, Pike, Pulaski, Ouachita, Saline, Union Counties.

Arkansas Community Action Agencies (CAAs) provide various opportunities for low- and middle-income residents of Arkansas to improve the stability and self-sufficiency of their households.

People on low incomes have the opportunity to be committed members of their community through volunteering and other civic activities.

Support services and emergency services are provided for people with disabilities and seniors to help them maintain their independent living conditions.

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

Arkansas CAAs work with a network of community partners to provide opportunities for families and improve living conditions in low-income communities.

Services Provided:

Energy efficiency and utility assistance programs.

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

Increasing energy efficiency for these homes not only reduces their utility costs but also reduces energy consumption.

LIHEAP

Arkansas community action agencies provide utility assistance to low-income households through the federally-funded Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

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

LIHEAP Regular Assistance Program.

Provides for the payment of a fixed benefit based on monthly income and household size.

The Income Guidelines are updated annually.

In general, LIHEAP benefits are paid directly to utility companies on behalf of the applicant.

Qualified families can receive assistance once per program.

LIHEAP Crisis Intervention Program

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

State policy determines the maximum amount of assistance available per family.

Benefits are paid directly to the utilities.

Eligible households may receive assistance once per program.

A copy of a closing notice is required.

Information required to apply.

Proof of Residence

Proof of income for all members of the household and from all sources that were 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 by the Employment Security Department for all unemployed adults

- A certificate from the Office of Child Support if one or more biological parents are not in the family.

- A copy of a certificate or bank statement showing automatic deposit of social security, SSI, Department of Veterans Affairs, or other pensions or disability allowances. 

- Identification information for all household members (name, date of birth, social security number) 

- Copy of utility bills

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 Central Arkansas Development Council (CADC) Benton LIHEAP Utility Assistance service before? If so, please help our website users by answer these questions below.