Arkansas LIHEAP — the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program — helps low-income Arkansas households pay both heating and cooling bills year-round. The program is federally funded and administered by the Arkansas Division of Energy and Environment (Arkansas Energy Office) through a statewide network of local Community Action Agencies (CAAs). Arkansas is one of the few states where heating assistance, cooling assistance, and both crisis programs operate year-round — not on seasonal windows.
Arkansas also has an important auto-enrollment feature: households already receiving Arkansas SNAP (food stamps) automatically qualify for LIHEAP benefits and do not need to demonstrate income separately.
What Does Arkansas LIHEAP Cover?
Regular Heating Assistance — a one-time payment per year toward your winter utility bills, sent directly to your energy company. Benefit range: $60 minimum to $570 maximum. Amount varies by household income, size, and energy costs.
Regular Cooling Assistance — a one-time payment toward summer cooling bills, paid directly to your utility provider. Benefit range: $60 minimum to $344 maximum.
Winter Crisis Assistance — emergency help when your household faces an immediate heating crisis: a shutoff notice, broken heating equipment, or a dangerous cold-weather situation. Maximum: $600. Available year-round.
Summer Crisis Assistance — emergency help for a summer cooling emergency — shutoff notice, broken air conditioning, or dangerous heat conditions. Maximum: $600. Available year-round.
Weatherization Assistance — a related program for home energy efficiency upgrades (insulation, sealing, heating/cooling equipment improvements). Income limit: 200% FPL. Available year-round through CAAs. Weatherization investments permanently lower energy costs rather than just paying a bill.
Each eligible household receives one regular heating benefit and one regular cooling benefit per program year. Crisis benefits are in addition to regular benefits for households that qualify.
Arkansas LIHEAP Income Limits 2026
Arkansas uses 60% of State Median Income (SMI) as its income threshold for heating, cooling, and crisis assistance — the same higher-income approach as Arizona. For households of 8 or more members, Arkansas uses 150% FPL instead. Weatherization uses 200% FPL.
The 60% SMI threshold is generally more generous than 150% FPL for smaller household sizes, qualifying more Arkansas families than a strict FPL cap would. For a national breakdown of how states set their income thresholds, see the LIHEAP eligibility guide.
| Household Size | Monthly Gross Income Limit (60% SMI) |
|---|---|
| 1 | ~$2,553 |
| 2 | ~$3,335 |
| 3 | ~$4,117 |
| 4 | ~$4,897 |
| 5 | ~$5,679 |
| 6 | ~$6,461 |
| 7 | ~$7,241 |
| 8+ | 150% FPL applies |
60% SMI figures update when Arkansas’s state median income is revised. Confirm exact 2026 limits by calling 888-233-0326 or contacting your local CAA.
Categorical eligibility — SNAP auto-qualifies: Households already receiving food stamps will automatically receive LIHEAP benefits in Arkansas. If you receive Arkansas SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), your household automatically qualifies for LIHEAP without needing a separate income review. Bring your SNAP award letter or EBT card to your appointment as proof of enrollment.
No asset limit: Arkansas LIHEAP has no asset test.
Year-Round Program — A Key Arkansas Advantage
Most states run LIHEAP on seasonal windows — heating only in winter, cooling only in summer. Arkansas runs all four of its LIHEAP programs year-round, including both crisis programs. This means:
- You can apply for heating or cooling assistance at any time of year
- Crisis assistance is available in any month — not just during winter or summer peaks
- If you miss the initial funding window, you may still receive assistance later in the year if additional federal funds are allocated
However, funding is still limited. LIHEAP funds are distributed until exhausted, and some local CAAs may pause intake when their current allocation is spent. Apply as early as possible and recheck with your local agency if you’re told funds are temporarily unavailable.
Who Qualifies for Arkansas LIHEAP
To be eligible for Arkansas LIHEAP, your household must meet all of the following:
- Arkansas residency: You must live in Arkansas
- Income: Household gross monthly income at or below 60% SMI (or 150% FPL for 8+ member households), or currently enrolled in SNAP (categorical eligibility)
- Energy need: You must have a home energy cost — an active utility account or fuel purchase, or rent that includes energy costs
Priority given to:
- Households with members aged 60 or older
- Households with members who have disabilities
- Households with young children
Renters with utilities included in rent: Arkansas does allow renters whose heating and cooling costs are included in their rent to receive LIHEAP. If utilities are included, you will need to provide a full copy of your lease agreement instead of a utility bill.
Crisis applications: For winter and summer crisis programs, your household will typically need to show a disconnection notice or demonstrate an immediate energy emergency at the time of application.
How to Apply for LIHEAP in Arkansas
Step 1 — Find Your Local Community Action Agency
Arkansas LIHEAP is distributed exclusively through local Community Action Agencies (CAAs) — not through a state portal or the DHS county offices. You must apply at the CAA serving your county.
- Phone: Call the Arkansas LIHEAP public inquiry line at 888-233-0326
- Online locator: Find your county’s CAA at the Arkansas Energy Office website (energy.arkansas.gov) or through the statewide CAA network
- Dial 211 for a referral to your local energy assistance provider
For a general walkthrough of what to expect during the application process, see how to apply for LIHEAP. You can also find the direct LIHEAP contact number for Arkansas in the LIHEAP phone number directory.
Step 2 — Gather Required Documents
Bring all of the following to your CAA appointment:
- Government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, or other government ID)
- Social Security card or number for all household members aged 18 and older
- Proof of income for the 4 weeks prior to application — pay stubs, benefit award letters (SNAP, SSI, Social Security, TANF, etc.), or a completed Zero Income form if no income
- Most recent heating and cooling bills — both, if applying for both programs
- If utilities are included in rent: a full copy of your current lease agreement
- Additional documents may be required by your specific CAA to verify household composition or other eligibility factors
Step 3 — Visit or Contact Your CAA
Most Arkansas CAAs require in-person appointments or have specific intake days. Contact your local agency before arriving — some CAAs limit daily intake (for example, Central Arkansas’s CAPCA takes the first 10 in-person applications on Mondays and Wednesdays during the heating season). Call ahead to confirm current intake procedures.
Step 4 — Benefit Payment
Once approved, your CAA transfers your LIHEAP benefit directly to your utility provider as a credit on your account. In crisis situations where the household needs more immediate financial relief, payments may be issued directly to the household. Processing time is typically 7–30 days for regular assistance; crisis cases are handled faster.
To check the status of a submitted application, see how to track your LIHEAP application status.
Arkansas LIHEAP Funding 2026
Arkansas received $35,109,772 in federal LIHEAP funding for FY 2026, including an additional $125,577 from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. In FY 2024, Arkansas served 29,299 heating households, 24,954 cooling households, 25,073 winter crisis households, and 19,851 summer crisis households — one of the higher crisis-assistance utilization rates among Southern states. Browse LIHEAP funding by state to compare Arkansas’s allocation with other states.
Arkansas Utility Company Assistance
Several Arkansas utility companies also offer their own bill assistance programs that can supplement LIHEAP:
Entergy Arkansas Sales Tax Exemption — registered Entergy customers with an annual household income below $12,000 are exempted from state sales tax on the first 500 kWh each month. This is an ongoing discount that applies automatically once registered, not a one-time payment.
Entergy Arkansas bill assistance programs — contact Entergy Arkansas directly at entergy.com/arkansas or call the number on your bill for additional low-income assistance options.
Arkansas Oklahoma Gas (AOG) / Summit Utilities — contact your provider directly for hardship assistance programs.
Additional Resources for Arkansas Families
Arkansas SNAP: Check Arkansas SNAP income limits and see how to apply for SNAP in Arkansas. Remember — SNAP enrollment automatically qualifies your household for Arkansas LIHEAP.
Arkansas Medicaid: Check Arkansas Medicaid eligibility and income limits.
WIC: For families with a pregnant woman, breastfeeding mother, or child under 5. Check Arkansas WIC income eligibility.
211: Dial 211 for referrals to local food, utility, housing, and other assistance programs across Arkansas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is LIHEAP in Arkansas?
LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) helps low-income Arkansas households pay heating and cooling bills. Arkansas’s LIHEAP is administered by the Arkansas Energy Office through local Community Action Agencies and runs year-round for both regular and crisis assistance. Arkansas SNAP recipients are automatically eligible.
What are the income limits for Arkansas LIHEAP?
Arkansas uses 60% of State Median Income for most households, and 150% FPL for households of 8 or more people. Households receiving SNAP are automatically income-eligible. Call 888-233-0326 or contact your local CAA to confirm current figures.
Does Arkansas LIHEAP run year-round?
Yes — Arkansas is one of the few states where heating assistance, cooling assistance, winter crisis, and summer crisis programs all operate year-round. However, funds are limited and local agencies may pause intake when their current allocation is exhausted.
Do I automatically qualify if I receive SNAP?
Yes — Arkansas households receiving SNAP (food stamps) automatically qualify for LIHEAP without a separate income review. Bring your SNAP award letter or EBT card to your CAA appointment.
How much is Arkansas LIHEAP worth?
Heating assistance ranges from $60 to $570. Cooling assistance ranges from $60 to $344. Winter and summer crisis assistance are each capped at $600. Exact amounts depend on your income, household size, and energy costs.
How do I apply for LIHEAP in Arkansas?
Apply through your local Community Action Agency — not through a state portal or DHS office. Call 888-233-0326 to find your county’s agency, or dial 211. Bring your photo ID, Social Security numbers, proof of income for the prior 4 weeks, and your most recent utility bills.
For current Arkansas LIHEAP information and to find your local Community Action Agency, call 888-233-0326 or visit energy.arkansas.gov. Income limits and benefit amounts may be updated when state median income figures are revised — confirm current figures with your local CAA.