The Low Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program provides payments for utilities used for heating homes directly to the utility companies, allowing low income families in Northwest Arkansas to heat their homes during the winter.
Winter Assistance helps low-income families pay their utility bills. Crisis Assistance helps those who are in danger of having their heat shut off, or who have run out of fuel for their heating systems.
LiHEAP assistance is available for households using electricity, natural gas, wood, or propane to heat their homes. The program begins in January each year, and assistance is given until the funds available are depleted.
Families receiving government assistance will receive an application form in the mail and may not need to apply in person. Other households may apply for assistance as well.
How LiHEAP Works
The Low Income Heating and Energy Assistance program helps low-income households with their energy costs in winter as part of the federal Low Income Home Energy Program. Families receiving food stamps or having an elderly or disabled person in the household and those who are facing utilities shut-off or need wood or propane for heat may apply for assistance.
Criteria for eligibility:
- You must live in Washington County. The Low Income Home Energy Program is available elsewhere, but EOA administers it for Washington County only.
- Your household income must be 125% of the government-defined poverty level, or less. The 2011 Federal Poverty Guidelines are shown in the table below:
| Persons in family | Poverty guideline |
| 1 | $11,170 |
| 2 | $15,130 |
| 3 | $19,090 |
| 4 | $23,050 |
| 5 | $27,010 |
| 6 | $30,970 |
| 7 | $34,930 |
| 8 | $38,890 |
For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $3,960 for each additional person.
How to apply
Where:
Apply at the Family Resource Center
614 East Emma
Springdale, Arkansas
When:
Visit between 8:00 and 11:00 a.m. or 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. to apply for assistance. If your work schedule interferes with your application, you may send someone with all needed documents and a signed letter giving your permission for that person to apply on your behalf.
What to bring:
You must bring proof of your income and household size. Pay stubs or tax return forms provide proof of income. If you have no income, bring proof of your means of support.
- Bring your most recent utility bill. For Crisis Assistance, you must bring a shut-off notice.
- If additional information is needed, you will have 10 days to provide it.
If you currently receive assistance in the form of food stamps (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, EOA will have received your information from the State of Arkansas, and we will send you an application in the mail. If you do not currently receive assistance, you must bring evidence of need, such as a disconnect notice from the utility company.