Eligibility Criteria
Program Benefits
Required Documentation
Applicant Scenarios
Common LIHEAP Terms
100

What is the maximum income threshold for household of 4 to qualify for LIHEAP in Arkansas?

What is $4,514

100

This type of assistance is provided to households that are at risk of having their utilities disconnected due to non-payment, and it is available as an emergency intervention.

What is Crisis Assistance

100

This document must be provided by the applicant to prove their income from all sources, including wages, government benefits, and child support.

What is an Income Verification or Pay Stub?

100

This applicant calls because their electricity bill has increased significantly after moving to a new apartment. They’ve been living in the apartment for three months, but their heating costs have been unusually high, and they need help paying their energy bill. The applicant is a 27-year-old single woman with no children, working full-time at a retail job. Who is Maria Sanchez, and what assistance is she eligible for?

Maria may be eligible for Regular Heating Assistance based on her income and energy bill. If she is behind on payments, she could also apply for Crisis Assistance.

100

This is the document an applicant must submit that shows their monthly energy consumption and costs from their utility provider, and is used to determine the amount of assistance they may receive.

What is a Utility Bill?

200

What is the maximum income threshold for household of 1 to qualify for LIHEAP in Arkansas?

What is $2347.00

200

This type of assistance helps eligible households pay for home heating or cooling costs, typically offered as a one-time payment per year.

What is Regular

200

This document, provided by utility companies, shows the applicant’s energy usage and payment history for the past few months and is required to determine eligibility.

What is a Utility Bill (or Energy Bill)?

200

This applicant is a married couple with three children. They live in a home they own and have an electric heating system. They recently received a disconnect notice from their electric provider because they’ve fallen behind on their bills due to temporary job loss. The household income is $1,800 per month, with the husband earning $1,200 and the wife earning $600. They have a $300 utility bill they are unable to pay. Who are John and Lily Edwards, and what assistance should they apply for?

John and Lily may be eligible for Crisis Assistance due to the threat of utility disconnection. Their household income is also within the income limits for Regular Heating Assistance, so they may qualify for both types of assistance.

200

This is the maximum amount of money an applicant can earn before they become ineligible for LIHEAP, and it is based on household size and income.

What is the Income Limit?

300

What is the maximum income threshold for a household of 2 to qualify for LIHEAP in Arkansas?

What is $3070.00

300

Households that use this energy source (other than electricity or natural gas) may qualify for additional LIHEAP assistance to help cover the costs of this fuel.

What is Propane (or Fuel Oil/Wood)?

300

This identification document is required to verify the applicant's identity and must be issued by a government authority.

What is a Government-issued ID (e.g., Driver's License or State ID)?

300

This applicant is a 72-year-old widow who lives alone in a mobile home. She uses propane for heating and has a fixed income from Social Security ($1,000 per month). Her propane tank is almost empty, and she cannot afford to refill it. She has received a disconnect notice from her propane supplier. She also has medical issues that require her to keep the house at a consistent temperature. Who is Betty Wilson, and what assistance is available to her?

Betty is eligible for Crisis Assistance to prevent propane disconnection. She may also qualify for additional assistance due to her medical needs and age, possibly receiving priority for her case.

300

This is the type of energy that an applicant uses, such as electricity, gas, propane, or oil. LIHEAP assists households with this type of energy to help cover their heating or cooling costs.

What is an Energy Source?

400

What is the maximum income threshold for a household of 3 qualify for LIHEAP in Arkansas?

What is $3792.00

400

This program benefit is available during the summer months to assist with the high costs of cooling, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly or those with disabilities.

What is Summer Cooling Assistance?

400

This document is required when the applicant is seeking Crisis Assistance and provides proof of a disconnection notice from their utility provider.

What is a Disconnect Notice or Shutoff Notice?

400

This applicant is a college student living in an apartment and working part-time while attending school. He has an income of $800 per month from his part-time job. He uses an electric heater to stay warm in his apartment during the winter months. His electric bill is about $120 per month, and he is asking if he can get help paying it. He has no dependents and lives alone. Who is Jason Taylor, and is he eligible for assistance?

Jason is eligible for Regular Heating Assistance based on his income, as he meets the program’s income guidelines. However, as a full-time student, he may need to provide additional documentation (e.g., school enrollment verification).

400

This is the term used to describe when a household is at risk of losing their heating or cooling services due to non-payment of bills.

What is a Utility Disconnection or Shutoff Notice?

500

What is the maximum income threshold for a household of 5 to qualify for LIHEAP in Arkansas?

What is $5236.00

500

This program benefit assists households that are having difficulty paying for both their heating and cooling costs, and it may be available even if the household hasn’t yet received a disconnection notice.

What is Energy Crisis Assistance?

500

When applying for LIHEAP, households with non-wage income (such as child support, Social Security, or unemployment benefits) must submit documentation of this income.

What is an Income Verification Letter or Benefit Award Letter (e.g., Social Security or Unemployment letter)?

500

This applicant is a 64-year-old woman who lives with her 15-year-old daughter in a house with an electric furnace. She works full-time at a local restaurant, earning $1,400 per month, and her daughter is a high school student. The household’s electricity bill is $250 per month, and they are behind by $100. The applicant has recently received a disconnect notice and is seeking help paying her bill. She also wants to know if there is assistance for cooling costs in the summer. Who is Tamara Roberts, and what assistance is she eligible for?

Tamara is eligible for Crisis Assistance due to the disconnect notice, as well as Regular Heating Assistance. While her primary concern is heating, she may also be eligible for Summer Cooling Assistance for the next season if her electricity bill increases during the warmer months.

500

This is a special type of LIHEAP assistance provided to vulnerable populations, such as elderly or disabled individuals, who need priority support for heating or cooling their homes.

What is Priority Assistance? or What is Priority Enrollment