Help paying your electric bill in Arkansas
Arkansas got $35.1 million in the HHS table, about $30 for each of its 1,189,160 households. Income limit 60% of state median income; public line 888-233-0326. Heating help reached 29,299 households in FY2024.
Who to call in Arkansas
- Arkansas LIHEAP public line888-233-0326
- State program siteadeq.state.ar.us/energy
- Arkansas Public Service Commissionno phone listed · apscservices.info · complaint form (links checked 2026-10-02)
How heavy is the energy bill in Arkansas?
10.9% of income in low-income households, 2.8% overall. Ranking, Arkansas prices.
| Group | Count | Arkansas detail | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 60% of median income | 320,973 households | 10.9% of income; $1,804 a year on $16,543 | rank 9 of 51 |
| All households | 1,171,694 households | 2.8%; $2,116 on $75,495 | rank 15 of 51 |
| Below poverty line | 192,034 households | 16.1% of 1,189,160 | U.S. 12.5%; rank 6 of 51 |
| Home price 2025 | 12.84 ¢/kWh | bill $138 a month at 1,074 kWh | U.S. 17.30 ¢, $152 |
CSV
CSVWhere Arkansas's low-income bills bite hardest
- Highest burden: Nevada County 20.3% (1,186 households); Mississippi County 18.1% (4,970 households); Chicot County 15.2% (1,702 households); Lee County 14.8% (1,229 households).
- Most low-income households: Pulaski County 42,424 (11.1%); Washington County 22,548 (9.6%); Benton County 15,195 (9.2%).
75 counties.
Arkansas in numbers
- Arkansas ranks 35th of 51 on FY26 LIHEAP dollars per household ($30), 6th on households below the poverty line (16.1%) and 9th on low-income energy burden (10.9%).
- Per household below the poverty line (192,034 of them) the FY26 funds come to $183, rank 38th of 51: 11% of a typical year's electricity ($1,655). (even split, not a payment amount)
- 70,425 households got help in FY2022 against 320,973 at or below 60% of state median income in the 2022 LEAD file: about 22% (mixed years).
- Average heating benefit FY2022: $248, 15% of that year.
- Counted FY2024: heating, cooling, winter crisis, summer crisis, weatherization.
- Neighbours: FY26 dollars per household run from $19 (Texas) to $37 (Missouri); low-income burden from 8.4% (Texas) to 12.4% (Mississippi). Arkansas: $30 and 10.9%.
LIHEAP in Arkansas: money, limits, people helped
| Measure | Arkansas | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Funds FY2026 | $35,109,772 = $31,485,775 + $125,577 IIJA + $3,498,420 | FY26 table |
| Income limit | Heating, Cooling, Crisis: 60% State Median Income (8+ household members at 150% Federal Poverty Level) Weatherization: 200% Federal Poverty Level | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Benefits FY2026 | Heating $60 minimum, $570 maximum, Cooling: $60 minimum $344 maximum Winter Crisis: $600 maximum Summer Crisis: $600 maximum | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Helped FY2024 | Heating: 29,299 Cooling: 24,954 Winter Crisis: 25,073 Summer Crisis: 19,851 Weatherization: 340 | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Program dates | no data | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
CSV
CSVAm I likely eligible in Arkansas?
Arkansas sets its limit at 60% of state median income; no estimate here. Median household income is $58,773.
Shutoff rules and moratoria in Arkansas
Arkansas: cold weather by dates and temperature; hot weather by temperature; health or age needs yes.
| Protection | Arkansas |
|---|---|
| Colder months, by date | November 1 - March 31 |
| Cold temperature | 32°F and below |
| Hot temperature | 95°F and above |
| Health or age needs | “An electric or gas utility cannot suspend service to a customer who is identified as 65 years or older or handicapped if the National Weather forecast predicts a temperature of 95 degrees Fahrenheit will occur during the next twenty-four hours.” |
Clearinghouse, April 2026; cites Arkansas Suspension of Service; Arkansas Law Help - Utility Suspensions.
Rule text read, 2 October 2026: 23 CAR 455-601 to 455-619 (Arkansas PSC General Service Rules), esp. 455-604, 455-613, 455-615, 455-617, 455-618. Arkansas bars residential electric and gas suspension on any day NWS forecasts 32 F or lower in the next 24 hours. Elderly or disabled registered customers also get a 95 F hot-day bar. A physician certificate postpones suspension 30 days (one renewal). The November to March moratorium applies to low-income gas customers, not electric. Notice is 5 days written. Quote: “may not suspend residential service on a day when the National Weather Service forecasts that a temperature of thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit”. Source: text of the rule (state official (APSC rules PDF); consumer page https://apsc.arkansas.gov/consumer-services/suspension-of-service/).
| Point | Arkansas: 23 CAR 455-601 to 455-619 (Arkansas PSC General Service Rules), esp. 455-604, 455-613, 455-615, 455-617, 455-618 |
|---|---|
| Winter / cold | 455-615(a): electric and gas utilities may not suspend residential service on a day when the NWS forecasts 32 F or lower at any time in the following 24 hours. The Nov 1 to Mar 31 moratorium in 455-615(b) is for gas utilities and low-income gas customers only; no calendar-date ban for electric found in the text read. |
| Heat | 455-618(f): electric and gas utilities may not suspend residential service to an elderly customer or customer with a disability on a day when the NWS forecasts 95 F or higher in the following 24 hours (gas: only air-conditioning customers). Applies to identified (registered) customers only. |
| Who is protected | Medical (455-617): physician certificate that suspension would pose substantial risk of death or gravely impair health; utility must postpone suspension 30 days after being notified, certificate due within 7 days, one renewal of up to 30 more days, one certificate per household per year. Elderly (65+) and disabled (455-618): two contact attempts at least 72 hours before suspension, or 24 hours written notice if contact fails; offer of payment plan or levelized billing. |
| Notice | 455-604: written notice at least 5 calendar days before suspension, first-class mail to last known address; if mailed, the 5 days start 3 calendar days after mailing; if delivered to premises, left in conspicuous place. No prior notice needed for some causes (e.g. broken payment agreement, tampering, safety hazard). No suspension in last hour of office hours or on day before the office is closed. |
| Payment plan | 455-613: utility must offer a delayed payment agreement to a qualifying residential customer: down payment up to 1/4 of overdue bill, equal installments for at least 3 months; may decline if customer broke an agreement in last 12 months or deadline on shut-off notice has passed; interest allowed. |
| Who the rule covers | 455-101: the part applies to all whose activities bring them under APSC jurisdiction except telecommunications providers. Co-op or muni treatment not stated in the text read. |
| Complaints | Shut-off notice must tell customers with unresolved complaints they may contact the Arkansas PSC (455-607(12)). APSC consumer page (read this session): complaints 501-682-1718, toll free 1-800-482-1164 (toll free in Arkansas). |
Did not read utility-specific tariffs, co-op/muni treatment, 455-619 tenant rules in full, or the Special Rules Electric.
Paraphrase, not legal advice. Rules change; see the shutoff rules guide.
Utility and state bill programs in Arkansas
- Entergy Sales Tax Exemption Registered customers with an annual household income of less than $12,000 are exempted from the sales tax on the first 500 kWh each month. To qualify, a customer will need to fill out a registration form and...
- Emergency Charitable Assistance Please note these charitable funds are last resort emergency funds with limited resources and limited times of operation.
- Benton Utilities Share Program The Share Program is a voluntary program customers participate in to help the elderly, handicapped, and families struggling to make ends meet.
- Black Hills Energy Arkansas Black Hills Cares An energy assistance program offering financial aid to members of the residential community who need assistance to pay for their home heating expenses. Assistance is generally offered during the heating season.
Excerpts, section of 20 Apr 2026. Utilities: American Electric Power, Black Hills Energy, CenterPoint Energy, Empire District Electric, Entergy.
Next to Arkansas
Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas. Most FY26 funds per household: Missouri, $37. Arkansas: $30. All 51.
Arkansas on the map
5 steps if you get a shutoff notice in Arkansas
- Note the notice date.
- Call the utility (Arkansas Public Service Commission sets rules).
- Call 888-233-0326 or 211.
- Ask about dates and temperature-based or health protection.
- Unresolved: Arkansas Public Service Commission.
Sources
Linked above; list on the hub.
Last verified: 2 October 2026. Not legal advice.
Questions
Is LIHEAP money enough for a Arkansas bill?
$183 per poor household, 11% of $1,655.
How much LIHEAP money does Arkansas get?
$35.1 million in FY2026, $30 per household, rank 35 of 51.
What income limit does Arkansas use for LIHEAP?
60% of state median income; median household income $58,773; FY2022 heating standard 162% for four.
How do I apply for LIHEAP in Arkansas?
Call 888-233-0326. Site: https://www.adeq.state.ar.us/energy/
Can Arkansas utilities cut power in winter or summer?
dates and temperature for cold; temperature for heat. November 1 - March 31 32°F and below
How big is the energy burden in Arkansas?
10.9% of income for low-income households, 2.8% for all; $1,804 a year for the first group.
How many Arkansas households got energy help?
70,425 in FY2022, 29,299 heating in FY2024, average heating benefit $248.