Several Assistance Programs Offered at Local ARVAC Office

BY MELANIE BUCK –

Energy assistance and more is available for those that qualify through the local ARVAC office in Mena. ARVAC, which stands for Arkansas River Valley Area Council, is a nonprofit community action agency corporation established in 1965 to promote economic and social development of the region. The organization serves a nine county area in the Arkansas River Valley. The agency’s headquarters office is in Dardanelle, AR. and has 10 satellite offices located throughout the area, including the office in Mena, located at 606 Pine Avenue (inside the Old Hospital).

Their annual summer LI-HEAP Program (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) is currently underway to provide assistance with electric bills for low income families and individuals. The program runs twice a year, in the summer and winter. In summer, they help with electric only to help with higher bills due to cooling costs. In winter, the program provides assistance with whatever heat source the person uses.

Requirements and documentation needed for the program include: Photo Identification, a copy of utility bills for all heating and cooling, and proof of income for everyone in the household over the age of 18. Also needed are proof of unemployment for anyone over 18 who is not employed within the household; earnings statement from previous employer with last day of employment if worked in the last two months; proof of social security, retirement, pension, disability, or workmen’s compensation; proof of child support; proof of utility allowance; contribution statement with name, address, and phone number of person making contribution; proof of TEA benefits (transitional employment assistance); and dates of birth and social security numbers for everyone in the household.

The LI-HEAP program began on June 5^th and will run until funding is depleted. Benefits are given on a first come, first serve basis. Mandy Dunlap, Mena’s ARVAC specialist, said the application process doesn’t take long when you have all of your information together and she can tell you if you are approved or denied in the same day.

There is also a Crisis Intervention Program, or CIP. This program is for people who have been given shut-off notices for their utilities. If approved for CIP, assistance is provided the same day.

Dunlap also wants to remind citizens of the TEFAP program (The Emergency Food Assistance Program), which distributes commodities to general public three times a year in Polk County. The next distribution date will be August 23^rd from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the old hospital building. Bring identification and proof of income.

Yet another program, and one that is not used by as many participants is CSFP, or the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, which distributes food once a month. The program is for people ages 60 and over. Distributions are made on the first Wednesday of every month. Dunlap said coming in prior to the distribution date to fill out an application and gain approval is necessary. “We only have around 114 participants every month and there could be many more we could help if more people knew about it,” said Dunlap.

To learn more about these programs, contact Dunlap at 479-394-4707.

About Author

Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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