Record numbers of applications have been processed for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, a spokesman said.
The Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Economic Opportunities Commission Inc. processed more than 1,000 LIHEAP applications in the first two days. The applications totaled more than $145,000 in benefits being paid this week, David Knight, EOC executive director, said Tuesday in a press release.
LIHEAP provides assistance for Arkansas residents who have problems paying heating bills or are running out of fuel.
Knight said some clients are reporting that they have not applied for LIHEAP funding.
“If this is so, you need to visit your local EOC office as quickly as possible. Funds took a large cut this year nationally and need to be delivered as quickly as possible,” he said.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
In July, residents told The Commercial that they stood in long lines to apply for LIHEAP.
Knight said EOC hired more people for processing LIHEAP applications this year.
“The intent was to quickly move the applications through the system and to help create jobs, even though short term, in the community. Also, PBJCEOC took part in the Turning the Tide on Poverty and was able to take over 300 applications just in one day,” Knight said.
Turning the Tide on Poverty was held Jan. 9 at the Pine Bluff Convention Center and combined an update on the local progress of the anti-poverty initiative with a resource fair.
“The extra staff plus the event partnership is helping with the application overload,” Knight said, “with growing fuel cost and lack of employment, the need is tremendous this year but the staff has been excellent at managing so much community need.”
In Jefferson County, applications are accepted at the EOC, 817 S. Cherry St.
Details: Call the toll free number at 1-800-277-1313 or visit the EOC offices in Jefferson, Grant, Cleveland, Lincoln or Arkansas counties.