Pine Bluff-Jefferson County Economic Opportunities Commission stopped accepting applications for utility bill assistance Monday.
Regular and crisis funding ended for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), a project that helps residents pay home energy bills.
EOC administered LIHEAP in winter and summer months in Jefferson, Grant, Cleveland, Arkansas and Lincoln counties.
The program did not last all summer because of a 40 percent cut in LIHEAP fund, a press release said Monday.
“This funding is the saving grace for so many,” David Knight, executive director of EOC, said. “We are glad to bring this assistance to our energy consumers and energy providers. This program also helps keep energy cost down for all of us and is a huge assist to our communities.”
EOC is a private, non-profit organization which operates social programs and services targeting low income households. EOC works in conjunction with other agencies to provide assistance to low-income residents. Some of the services offered include housing, food, employment, weatherization and energy assistance.
Details: Call EOC at 536-0046.