Keep Cool: Help for Arkansans with Big Electric Bills

When it's as hot as it has been this summer, many Arkansans face crippling energy bills simply from trying to keep their homes at bearable temperatures.

Because of that, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel issued today's consumer alert to inform Arkansans about the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

"The heat we are experiencing this summer is uncomfortable for many of us, but for those who can't afford to cool their homes, it can be more than uncomfortable, it can be deadly. That's why we want to make sure that people who are unable to pay for electricity know that there is help available," said Attorney General Dustin McDaniel.
 
During the week of July 11, the Central Arkansas Development Council has scheduled six Mass Intake Days throughout the state to assist low income citizens. Applications are accepted for both regular and crisis assistance.

The program assists households with electricity only. Eligible households must meet income guidelines and furnish proof of all household income for the month prior to applying.
 
Income guidelines to qualify for assistance are: For a household of one, monthly "countable" income is $1,471. For each additional person in the household, add $453. Countable income includes check stubs, child support, unemployment, housing utility assistance, SSI, SSA, TEA, VAS and retirement benefits.
 
To qualify for crisis assistance, individuals must have a disconnect notice with a disconnect date within seven days of the application date. All households receiving food stamps are potentially eligible to receive this assistance; however, the program is not limited to food stamp recipients.
 
To apply for assistance, the household should bring a copy of the current utility bill, social security numbers, and proof-of- income and date of birth for all household members. Clients must have a working knowledge of household resources. Additional information may be required during the interview process.
 
Failure to provide the verification requested may result in a delay or denial of assistance. The agency will need up 35 days to make payment. For more information, call your local Central Arkansas Development Council office. A list of offices is located at http://www.cadc.com.
 
Locations and dates for the Mass Intake Dates are:
 
Clark County
July 12
1PM to 4PM
CADC Senior Activity Center
1305 North 10th Street
Arkadelphia
 
Columbia County
July 15
9AM to 2PM
American Legion Post No. 3
325 Legion Drive
Magnolia
 
Ouachita County
July 13
9AM to 2PM
Carnes Park Teen Town Center Building
955 Adams
Camden
 
Pulaski County
July 11 & 12
9AM to 2PM
Arkansas State Fairgrounds Arts and Crafts Building
2600 Howard Street
Little Rock
 
Saline County
July 11
8AM to 1PM
CADC Benton Head Start
321 Edison Avenue
Benton
 
Union County
July 14
9AM to 2PM
TAC House
1101 North West Avenue
El Dorado
 
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is a local-state-federal program begun in 1981 to help people of low and moderate income pay for home energy. The program is operated by 16 private, nonprofit community action agencies throughout Arkansas, in cooperation with the state's electric and gas utilities and other energy providers.  In Arkansas, the program provides financial assistance to approximately 60,000 households each year.
 
The Central Arkansas Development Council is only one of many community action agencies that make Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program applications available to citizens.  Consumers who do not reside in central Arkansas may visit the Arkansas Community Action Agencies Association at http://www.acaaa.org to find information about their local community action agency.