Last updated: May 20, 2026
Bottom line
If you are a single mother in Arkansas and your electric, gas, propane, wood, water, sewer, phone, or internet bill is too high, start with energy help first. The main statewide program is Arkansas LIHEAP, which helps eligible households with heating costs in winter and cooling costs in summer. You apply through the local Community Action agency for your county, not directly through the state office.
LIHEAP is not the only path. You may also be able to ask your utility company for a payment plan, use local charity help, apply for home weatherization, check phone or internet discounts, or file a utility complaint if a regulated utility is not following the rules.
Help is usually limited by funding, season, county office rules, and your household situation. Do not wait until the shutoff date if you can avoid it.
If your service is off or about to be shut off
Take these steps today. First, call the utility company and ask for the exact amount needed to stop shutoff or restore service. Ask if a payment arrangement, extension, medical note process, or hardship program is available.
Next, contact the Community Action agency for your county using the CBO map on the Arkansas Energy Office site. Tell them you have a shutoff notice, service is off, or you have a child, pregnancy, disability, older adult, or medical issue in the home.
You can also search Arkansas 211 or call 2-1-1 for nearby rent, utility, food, shelter, and family support options. If you are in Little Rock, the city lists several local utility help paths on its utility help page for electric, gas, water, and sewer accounts.
Where to start
Use this order if you are trying to lower a bill or stop a shutoff.
1. Find your county agency
Arkansas LIHEAP uses Community Action agencies across all 75 counties. Use the state county agency map and choose the county where you live.
2. Call your utility
Ask about payment extensions, payment arrangements, hardship programs, budget billing, medical forms, and the exact balance needed to keep service on.
3. Search local help
Use Findhelp by ZIP code and Arkansas 211. Local churches, city funds, and charities may open and close aid during the year.
4. Fix the bigger gap
If other bills are causing the utility problem, check Arkansas emergency help, food benefits, child care help, rent help, or job-loss support.
Quick help table
| Need | Best first contact | What to ask | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heating or cooling bill | County Community Action agency | Ask for LIHEAP regular or crisis help. | Funds and application dates can run out. |
| Shutoff notice | Utility company and LIHEAP agency | Ask what amount stops shutoff today. | Apply early; approval may not be immediate. |
| Very high bills | Weatherization provider | Ask for an energy audit and repairs. | Weatherization can have a waitlist. |
| Phone or internet bill | USAC Lifeline | Ask if SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, or income qualifies. | Only one Lifeline benefit is allowed per household. |
| Problem with regulated utility | Arkansas PSC Consumer Services | Ask how to file an informal complaint. | PSC rules do not cover every utility type. |
Arkansas LIHEAP
LIHEAP stands for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. In Arkansas, it can help eligible residential households with home energy bills. The state says the program lowers energy burden by helping with heating costs in winter and cooling costs in summer.
The Arkansas Energy Office says applications are handled by Community Action agencies and other community-based organizations. The state office does not process applications. You should apply through the agency for the county where you live.
Arkansas also has the GetLIHEAP portal for online applications and document uploads. The portal notes that submitting an application does not guarantee approval because decisions are made by the Arkansas Energy Office through local Community Action agencies.
What LIHEAP may help with
- Electric bills for heating or cooling.
- Natural gas bills.
- Propane, wood, pellets, fuel oil, or other eligible home energy sources.
- Energy crisis help when the household has a shutoff notice, service is off, or another energy emergency.
When to apply
The Arkansas Energy Office says LIHEAP applications are typically accepted through local agencies from January to April 30 and from July to September 30. Those dates can change, and funds can run out before a season ends. Always check with your county agency before making plans based on a date.
As of this update, the Arkansas Energy Office page says LIHEAP is open. Because program status can change quickly, the safest step is to check the state LIHEAP page and call your county agency the same day.
Who may qualify
Eligibility depends on household income, household size, residence, energy bill, and program rules. You do not qualify just because you are a single mother, but your household size, income, children, disability, age, and energy burden may matter. The state posts an income chart on its LIHEAP page, and local agencies can tell you which documents they need.
Tip
If your bill is in someone else’s name, ask the agency before you apply. Programs may need proof that you live in the home and that the utility account belongs to an adult living there.
Weatherization help for high bills
Weatherization is different from bill payment help. The Arkansas WAP program helps eligible homes use less energy. It may include an energy audit, air sealing, insulation, weather-stripping, heating or cooling repairs, safety items, LED bulbs, and small repairs tied to weatherization work.
The state says WAP works through local providers and is available to income-eligible Arkansans in eligible housing units. It is meant for homes that are very energy inefficient. It does not pay your monthly bill, but it can help lower future bills if your home is approved and work is completed.
To ask for this help, contact the WAP provider for your county. Renters should ask the provider what landlord permission is needed before work can be done.
| Program | Main purpose | Good for | Not good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| LIHEAP | Bill payment help | Current heating or cooling costs | Long-term home repair needs |
| Crisis LIHEAP | Emergency energy help | Shutoff notice or service off | Non-energy bills |
| Weatherization | Lower future use | Drafty, inefficient homes | Same-day shutoff help |
| Utility hardship fund | Extra bill aid | Customers of that utility | Households outside the service area |
Utility company help
Before you apply for outside help, call your utility company. Ask for all options, not just one. Some customers may qualify for a payment extension, payment arrangement, average monthly billing, medical certification process, third-party notification, or a hardship fund.
Entergy Arkansas customers can start with the Entergy Bill Toolkit. Entergy also lists Power to Care, which provides emergency bill help through local nonprofit agencies for older adults and people with disabilities in crisis.
SWEPCO says its payment help page includes payment extensions, payment arrangements, LIHEAP information, and Neighbor to Neighbor assistance. The Dollar Energy Fund page says the Arkansas Utility Assistance Program helps eligible SWEPCO customers with grants applied directly to the bill, subject to program rules and funding.
If your utility is a city utility, water district, rural electric cooperative, or smaller gas provider, the help path may be different. Call customer service and ask for the hardship department, billing assistance, or a supervisor who handles shutoff prevention.
Phone and internet discounts
For phone or internet costs, check Lifeline. The USAC Lifeline site says Lifeline can lower the monthly cost of phone, internet, or bundled service for eligible households. A household may qualify by income or by participation in certain benefits, such as SNAP or Medicaid.
After approval, you must choose a participating provider. Use the company search tool to look for providers near your ZIP code. The old Affordable Connectivity Program is no longer a good path for new applicants, so do not rely on old pages that still promise ACP help.
If you need computer or internet help for work, school, benefits forms, or children’s homework, the ASMOM guide to technology help may give you more local starting points.
Shutoff notices, complaints, and appeals
If you have a shutoff notice, do not assume an application will stop disconnection. Ask the utility what it needs from you and ask the assistance agency whether they can send a pledge or notice to the utility if you are approved.
If the utility is regulated by the Arkansas Public Service Commission and you cannot fix a billing or service problem with the company, contact APSC Consumer Services. The PSC also has a complaint page for problems you cannot resolve directly. For shutoff basics, check the PSC suspension guide and ask what applies to your account.
If you disagree with a LIHEAP decision or face a long delay, the Arkansas Energy Office has a benefits appeal page. You can also ask your local agency for its written appeal process.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting until the day service is scheduled to be cut off.
- Applying in the wrong county.
- Uploading unreadable photos of bills or pay stubs.
- Submitting more than one LIHEAP application when the program says not to.
- Ignoring mail, email, text, or voicemail from the agency.
- Paying anyone who says there is a LIHEAP application fee.
Documents checklist
Each office can ask for different proof. Use this checklist before you apply so you do not lose time.
| Document | Why it matters | Helpful notes |
|---|---|---|
| Photo ID | Shows identity. | Ask what to do if your ID is expired or missing. |
| Social Security information | Used for household members. | The state lists cards for adults and numbers for minors. |
| Most recent utility bill | Shows account, address, and amount due. | Bring shutoff notices and account numbers too. |
| Proof of income | Shows whether your household is within rules. | Pay stubs, benefit letters, unemployment, or child support proof may be requested. |
| Proof of address | Shows county and residence. | A current utility bill may help prove residency. |
| Medical or hardship proof | May support a crisis request. | Ask before sending private medical papers. |
Backup options if utility aid is not enough
Utility help may not cover the full bill. If your budget is short because rent, food, child care, or health costs are using all your money, look at the wider problem too.
- For cash aid, check Arkansas TANF.
- For groceries, use the SNAP guide.
- For pregnancy, babies, and young children, read Arkansas WIC.
- For rent pressure, start with Arkansas housing help.
- For child care costs, check child care help.
- For doctor visits and medicine, see Arkansas health care.
- If job loss caused the crisis, use job loss help.
- For local nonprofits and basic needs, see community support.
- If disability affects income or energy needs, check disability assistance.
- If a bill, lease, or shutoff problem may need legal help, read Arkansas legal help.
- For furniture, beds, and household basics after a move, see household item help.
- For a wider state list, start with Arkansas benefits.
Phone scripts
Calling your Community Action agency
“Hi, I live in [county] and need help with my utility bill. I am a single parent with [number] children. My service is [still on / scheduled for shutoff / already off]. Can you tell me if LIHEAP or crisis help is open, what documents you need, and how I should apply?”
Calling the utility company
“Hi, I am trying to prevent a shutoff. What is the exact amount needed today to stop disconnection or restore service? Do I qualify for a payment extension, payment arrangement, hardship fund, medical form, budget billing, or third-party notice?”
Calling 211 or a local charity
“Hi, I need utility help in [city or county]. I have already contacted [utility company or LIHEAP office]. Are there any local funds, churches, city programs, or nonprofits helping with electric, gas, water, propane, or internet bills this week?”
Calling the PSC
“Hi, I have tried to resolve a billing or shutoff problem with my utility company. Is this utility regulated by the Arkansas Public Service Commission, and can Consumer Services explain my options or complaint steps?”
Resumen en español
Si necesita ayuda con la luz, gas, calefacción, aire acondicionado, agua, teléfono o internet en Arkansas, empiece con LIHEAP y la agencia de Community Action de su condado. Llame también a la compañía de servicios públicos y pregunte por un plan de pago, extensión, ayuda por crisis o programa de dificultad económica.
Si tiene aviso de corte, no espere. Pregunte cuánto debe pagar para detener el corte y pida ayuda el mismo día. También puede llamar al 2-1-1 para buscar ayuda local. La ayuda no está garantizada y puede depender de fondos, fechas, ingresos, documentos y reglas locales.
FAQ
Can single mothers in Arkansas get help with electric bills?
Yes, some single mothers may qualify for LIHEAP, crisis help, payment plans, utility hardship funds, or local charity help. Eligibility depends on income, household size, county, bill type, funding, and program rules.
Do I apply for LIHEAP through the Arkansas Energy Office?
No. The Arkansas Energy Office says applications must be submitted through the Community Action agency or community-based organization that serves your county. The state office does not process LIHEAP applications directly.
Can LIHEAP stop a shutoff?
It may help in some crisis cases, but it is not safe to assume an application will stop shutoff. Call your utility and local LIHEAP agency right away and ask what proof or pledge is needed.
What if LIHEAP is closed or out of funds?
Ask your utility about payment arrangements and hardship programs, call 2-1-1, search local charities, and ask your Community Action agency about other programs. Weatherization may help lower future bills but is not same-day bill payment help.
Can I get help with water or sewer bills?
LIHEAP is for home energy bills, not regular water and sewer bills. For water or sewer help, call your water provider, city, county, Community Action agency, or 2-1-1 to ask about local funds.
Is there help with phone or internet bills?
Lifeline may lower monthly phone, internet, or bundled service costs for eligible households. You must apply and then use the benefit with a participating company.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified May 20, 2026, next review August 20, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.