LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program)

Program Type: Energy assistance for low-income households

Geographic Scope: Crawford-Sebastian counties, AR

Overview:
LIHEAP provides assistance with home energy costs for eligible low-income households. The program offers both Regular Assistance and Crisis Assistance.

Assistance Types

• Regular Assistance: Standard energy assistance
• Crisis Assistance: Emergency energy assistance for urgent situations

Decision Timeline

• Regular Assistance: Written decision within 30 days of complete application
• Emergency Crisis: Decision within 18 hours of complete application
• Crisis: Decision within 48 hours of complete application

Payment Timeline

• Regular Assistance: Payment issued within 35 days of approval
• Crisis: Payment issued within 20 days of approval

Eligibility Requirements

• Legal residents of the United States
• Must meet income guidelines
• Household size determined by legal residents only
• Income of illegal noncitizens included in total household income calculation

Rights of Applicants

• Right to be treated with dignity, respect, and courtesy
• Right to submit application by any accepted means (in-person, mail, online, email)
• Right to receive application without required interview
• Right to submit at any subgrantee office in your area
• Right to home-based application submission if applicant has disability
• Right to receive assistance regardless of race, color, sex, age, handicap, religion, national origin, or political belief
• Right to written notice of decision within specified timeframes
• Right to appeal any decision
• Right to confidential experience

How to Apply

Online Application:

1. Fill out the LIHEAP application completely online
2. Save the completed application
3. Gather all required supporting documents
4. Email completed application and documents to [email protected]

Paper Application:

1. Print the application and required documents
2. Fill out completely and legibly
3. Drop off or mail to: 1617 South Zero Street, Fort Smith, AR 72901
4. Or email scanned copies to [email protected]

Required Documents (all must be in PDF format if emailed)

• Contribution Statement
• Earnings Statement
• Zero Income Form (if applicable)
• Odd Job Income documentation (if applicable)
• Expense documentation

Application Requirements

• Applicant responsible for good-faith effort to fully complete application
• Must provide sufficient information about circumstances for accurate eligibility determination
• Must provide accurate and complete information
• Signature authorizes CSCDC/AEO to investigate household members and use application as information release
• Information may be released to energy suppliers and Arkansas Energy Office for research, evaluation, and analysis

Important Notes

• Submitting application authorizes release of information to energy supplier and Arkansas Energy Office
• Utility service provider has no control over disclosed data
• False or fraudulent information can result in repayment of benefits plus penalties or criminal prosecution
• Withholding information can result in disallowance of future benefits
• Right to appeal any decision, including denial or delays