Money and Debt

How it Works:

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps low-income households with home energy costs by administering Regular Assistance and Crisis Intervention Programs. Each program provides financial assistance to eligible households with a one-time per year payment to the household's energy supplier or, under certain circumstances, to the applicant. The Crisis Intervention Program helps eligible households facing energy-related emergencies.

How to Qualify

To qualify for this program, you must:

• be a resident of Arkansas
• need financial assistance for home energy costs
• have a household annual income (before taxes) that does not exceed the appropriate amount listed below

How to Apply:

If you are eligible and wish to participate, contact your nearest Community Action Agency by visiting https://www.acaaa.org/. You may call, email, or write them expressing your desire to apply.

Contact:

Phone: (501) 682-8726

How it Works:

The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) helps low-income households reduce their heating and cooling bills by providing full-scale home energy conservation services. Services provided by the program result in a more comfortable, safe home and a permanent improvement in the lives of occupants. The program is operational year round.

After a household is determined eligible, the local agency schedules an energy inspection of the home. A United States Department of Energy (DOE)-trained Energy Auditor completes a full inspection of the energy, health, and safety concerns of the home and completes a Work Order/Job Write-Up. A network of Community Action Agencies (CAAs) use crews or local private-sector weatherization contractors to complete the work at no cost to the occupants.

Typical measures:

• air sealing
• attic and sidewall insulation
• weather-stripping
• minor repairs associated with the weatherization work
• replacing broken windows
• caulking and weather-stripping doors and windows
• insulating un-insulated ceilings, walls, and floors
• tuning up storm windows, thermostats, and furnaces
• health and safety measures required prior to weatherizing the house

How to Qualify:

Households with incomes that lie within 200% of Poverty Guidelines as determined by the DOE may be eligible for the Weatherization Assistance Program. In addition, those households with a member receiving SSI are categorically eligible.

Due to limited funding, priority points are awarded to households with members who are elderly, handicapped, children under seven, or Native Americans.

How to Apply:

Applicants must apply and be determined eligible for the Weatherization Assistance Program. The Head of Household may apply to the local Community Action Agency (CAA). Applicants are required to provide household income information.

Find your local CAA by visiting https://www.acaaa.org/.