Community Assistance Programs

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LI-HEAP)

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LI-HEAP) is designed to assist low-income individuals with keeping heat in their homes in the winter and cooling in the summer with the goal of preventing a potential utility shut-off or restoring home energy. Individuals who meet the federal poverty income guidelines may apply to receive a one-time payment applied to their utility bill. Those using methods of energy other than gas or electricity, such as wood, kerosene or coal are eligible as well, alongside individuals whose energy costs are included in their rent.

Food stamp recipients receive their applications in the mail. Non-food stamp recipients apply in-person for services at the ARVAC office. The applicants must provide proof of income for the preceding month, proof of any checking, savings, or CD accounts, proof of the value of any real estate owned other than their home, a picture ID, social security numbers of everyone living in the house and all of their utility bills.

LI-HEAP Crisis (Crisis Intervention Program)

The Crisis Intervention Program prevents utility shut-offs through service loss prevention. Applicants must meet the same income guidelines as for the regular LI-HEAP Program and not have received Crisis Intervention assistance in the current fiscal year.

Effective September 30, 2021: ARVAC closed the Extended Winter, Summer Regular, and Summer Crisis LI-HEAP Assistance programs. The Winter LI-HEAP Assistance Programs opening date has not yet been released. For more information, please contact your local ARVAC Outreach Office.

Dream for Success (Assurance 16 Program)

The Assurance 16 Dream for Success Program is designed to assist low-income individuals and families to set, plan for, and reach short and long term goals that may be a barrier to the family/individual succeeding in self-sufficiency. These goals may include but are not limited to reducing energy burdens, maintaining a financial budget, obtaining financial education and coaching, securing resources for life-skills, receiving assistance with job searches, referrals for childcare, receiving education for secondary education, obtaining housing assistance, increasing leadership skills and social networks, and increasing life-skills.

During the Dream for Success Program, participants recognize their unique strengths and abilities and find ways to mitigate burdens specific to poverty and financial cash flow. ARVAC encourages and enables participants to utilize resources to for obtaining economic security and opportunities, health and wellness building and education, and engaging within their communities to reach self-sufficiency.

Participants go through a series of workshops that include but are not limited to energy and utility conservation education, financial literacy, household needs assessments and goal development. All of these services are delivered through heavy case management. During the workshops, participants receive weather protection products such as fans, weather strips, etc.

Senior Citizen Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)

The CSFP program assists seniors age 60 years and over by providing nutritional education, food sacks, nutritional assistance and nutritional recipes on a monthly basis. Applications may be received within the local outreach office.

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In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
1. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
2. Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
3. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)

The TEFAP Program provides food nutrition and education to individuals and families to alleviate some food costs and provide a means for families to make meals in the home. Food bags are issued quarterly within each of the nine counties and eligibility is based on household size and income.

Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG)—Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing

The Emergency Solutions Grant Homeless Prevention Program assists individuals and families in avoiding eviction of their homes. Each program is delivered through heavy case management and goal setting.

The Rapid Rehousing Program assists homeless individuals with transitioning into stable homes through assistance with case management, security and utility deposits, and up to three (3) months’ rent.