CADC runs out of LIHEAP money, still accepting crisis applications

LITTLE ROCK, AR -- The Central Arkansas Development Council is no longer accepting applications for the regular summer Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Funds for the program have been depleted.

However, applications for crisis energy assistance, which services customers who have a disconnect notice within 7 days of cut off, are still being accepted.

When people can't pay their bills, Entergy's cut off policy is to first send a letter to customers. After that, the company will start calling. If there is still no response on the overdue account, the lights go off.

"So we give customers every chance and sometimes we still have to do shut off service," said Entergy spokesperson David Lewis.

Lewis recommends that customers having trouble paying their bills should pick up the phone now and try to work out a payment plan - don't avoid the problem.

"We don't want to cut anyone off, but sometimes it is just unavoidable," Lewis said.