TEXARKANA, Ark. (July 1, 2026) Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) is helping connect Arkansas customers to critical energy assistance during a special, one-day application event in Texarkana hosted by the Central Arkansas Development Council (CADC), Arkansas’ largest agency administering the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
The July 6 event is designed to make it easier for Southwest Arkansas residents to apply in person and access vital support.
“LIHEAP is a federal program that helps families keep their lights on and their homes safe during extreme heat,” said Valerie Ramsey, LIHEAP Program Administrator with CADC. “Events like this allow us to meet people where they are, answer questions face to face and help them apply before funds run out.”
The event launches Arkansas’ Summer Cooling Assistance Program, administered by CADC through the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) with the first event held in Mille County as part of the CADCs special mass intake events planned across five Arkansas counties during the program’s opening week. Mass Intake Days will be held in Miller, Ouachita, Union, Columbia and Pulaski counties from July 6-10. Residents in those counties must attend the designated event in their county to apply during the first week of the program.
EVENT DETAILS
- What: Apply for Help Paying Your Energy Bill (Federal LIHEAP Assistance)
- Time: 8 am. – 2 p.m.
- When: Monday, July 6
- Where: We Are Washington Community Development Center, 1900 Marietta St., Texarkana, Arkansas
HELP ON SITE FROM CADC and SWEPCO
“We believe in the value of cultivating partnerships for long-term impact and maximizing the use of volunteers in meaningful efforts to assist the low income,” explained CADC CEO Randy Morris. “We are looking forward to our SWEPCO utility partners joining us for this special event in Texarkana.”
SWEPCO customer service and energy efficiency teams will be on site alongside CADC staff to help make the application process easier and less stressful for customers.
“By being on site with CADC, our teams can help customers understand their bills, confirm account information, and connect them with every resource available, all in one place,” said Paul Pratt, SWEPCO’s Vice President, Customer Experience and New Business Development.
SWEPCO utility customers can get help with:
- Completing LIHEAP applications
- Checking current utility balances
- Learning about SWEPCO’s payment plans and other bill assistance options
- Getting information on SWEPCO’s available energy efficiency incentives, appliance incentives, and home weatherization programs.
SWEPCO serves more than 126,000 customers across western Arkansas.
“Power for Good is SWEPCO’s commitment to using energy as a force for positive change,” Pratt added. “By investing in partnerships, volunteerism and community-based programs, SWEPCO supports initiatives that create stability, opportunity and resilience across the communities it serves. We are proud to volunteer with CADC and We Are Washington to help more families access federal assistance and stay safe and cool this summer.”
For more information, including local schedules and application sites, is available at CADC.com/Utility-Assistance or by calling CADC at 501-326-6229