Arkansas provides a network of social services and charitable programs to support people across the state, including the rural and working-class population. The state's assistance programs (listed below), whether financial aid or material goods, are primarily overseen by localized churches and nonprofits as well as the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS), which coordinates federal and state grant money that may help people pay bills.

Many programs, including rental, utility and food assistance are done in partnership between state offices and local nonprofit agencies, ensuring that help reaches residents in even the most remote Ozark or Delta regions. Oftentimes navigating the safety net in the Natural State requires a focus on both immediate crisis relief and long-term self-sufficiency. The state prioritizes families with children through the Transitional Employment Assistance (TEA) program and unique incentive programs like Arkansas Work Pays with charitable and faith based aid often filling the gaps.

Rental and Housing Assistance Programs

Housing assistance in Arkansas is geared toward keeping families in their current homes through emergency one-time payments, with funds also available to help pay mobile home lot rent. The focus is on rapid re-housing and rapid response for eviction notices.

Arkansas Section 8: Administered by local Public Housing Authorities in partnership with HUD, this program offers housing choice vouchers that help pay a portion of long term rent. The goal is to help low-income families and the elderly among others afford safe, sanitary housing in the private market. Learn about section 8 in Arkansas
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Government and Nonprofit Rent Help: Non-profit organizations, faith based grips and government programs try to provide grants to pay back rent or security deposits to stop an eviction or help families move into more affordable apartments. Find details on local rental assistance in Arkansas.
Eviction Prevention and Homeless Rehousing Programs: Federal funds from HUD and ESG are used for mediation and financial assistance to help tenants who are currently homeless or facing an immediate loss of housing. Learn about Arkansas eviction prevention services.

Short-term Housing and Motel Vouchers: Families who have already been displaced may access transitional homes, emergency shelters, and occasionally online motel vouchers through local charities. Continue reading about Arkansas transitional housing assistance.
Foreclosure Prevention and Mortgage Assistance: Nonprofit, HUD approved agencies, non-profits and some government programs work to help people facing a foreclosure. Read more about mortgage help in Arkansas.

Utility and Energy Bill Help

Utility help is critical in Arkansas, particularly for seniors and the vulnerable to combat high humidity and summer heat. Programs are often tiered between regular grants and emergency crisis funds with most utility companies such as Entergy, AEP and others also offer resources to their customers.

LIHEAP (Regular & Crisis Intervention): Provides one-time annual cash grants paid directly to energy suppliers. The "Crisis" component is specifically for households facing immediate shut-off or who are out of fuel. The Arkansas LIHEAP government assistance program also often normally includes the Weatherization Program, which is free energy-saving improvements like insulation and duct sealing, with a priority focus on the elderly and homes with children.
Utility Company Programs: Most electric and gas companies in the state offer some form of support to struggling customers. Whether payment plans or extensions, helping in finding and applying for charitable aid or something else, help is offered with details here at Arkansas energy company assistance.
Lifeline Telephone Assistance: Discounts on monthly bills or possibly free cell phones are provided from government mandated resources such as Lifeline, which is administered by the Public Service Commission in AR. Learn more about the Arkansas Lifeline program.

Statewide Cash and Public Assistance

The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) manages the state's public aid, including cash aid, health insurance, food stamps and other benefits. A unique feature of Arkansas aid is the Work Pays program, which acts as a bridge for families leaving the traditional government benefits system. It is a unique incentive program for former TEA recipients.

Online portal: https://access.arkansas.gov/Learn/Home. Customer service number: Call 1-855-372-1084.
Government benefits: Several other government and public assistance programs are available, with a focus on people living in poverty that need long-term help combined with self-sufficiency. Benefits include food, SNAP, ARKids and others as noted on our Arkansas public assistance guide.
Disability Benefits: Government and non-profit resources provide financial aid for medical equipment, rent, and utility bills for residents with a documented disability. Or individuals can also get help in applying for SSDI or SSI as part of disability help in Arkansas.
Arkansas Child Care Vouchers: DHS provides subsidies specifically for working parents, with specialized support for single moms and those transitioning from TEA to employment. Learn about Arkansas free or income-based child care assistance.

Local United Way 2-1-1 Resources

Arkansas uses the 2-1-1 system to provide localized referrals, with an online database and phone service as well. This free service is essential for finding smaller community charities that offer specific local grants.

Arkansas 2-1-1: A statewide referral service that connects residents with local grants for rent, food, and emergency needs. https://www.arkansas211.org/.

Emergency Financial Help and Food

Food insecurity in Arkansas, as well as one-time emergency financial assistance, is addressed through a massive network of regional hubs as well as charities. Local churches may also help people keep their power on or pay the rent. The Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance coordinates hunger prevention efforts across the state.

Salvation Army Arkansas & Oklahoma Division: This division offers a "Pathway of Hope" program that focuses on breaking the cycle of poverty through intensive case management, alongside emergency help with rent and utilities. Read more about financial assistance from Arkansas Salvation Army.
Food Assistance: Pantries and soup kitchens, many that coordinate with the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, help feed struggling people. A network of over 400 organizations, including the Arkansas Foodbank in Little Rock and the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas in Jonesboro are options too. They manage the "Arkansas Gleaning Project" to provide fresh produce to pantries and read more about free food pantries in Arkansas.
Community Action Agencies (CSBG): These non-profits provide Community Service Block Grant funds for emergency needs, including housing, home repairs and rent among other bills. Unique to some Arkansas CAAs are the possibility of car repair grants and transportation assistance for low-income families to maintain employment. Read more about assistance from Arkansas community action agencies.

Moderated Community Forum

We have a dedicated forum topic on assistance programs in Arkansas. There you may find other local organizations that help, learn about funding levels, and can ask for tips and suggestions from real people in the state.

Legal Consultations, Debt Help and Senior Services

Senior citizens can access support through the Area Agency on Aging as well as non-profits, while low-income families can protect their rights through specialized legal programs. A combination of nonprofits and government funds keep these programs running.

Arkansas Agency on Aging: Offers residents over 55 help with medical needs, transportation, and home care. Get help with medical needs, home delivered meals, home care, government health insurance including Medicare and other information with more details on Arkansas senior help and Agency on Aging.
Free Legal Aid: Programs, including those from the Center for Arkansas Legal Services, may provides free consultations for civil issues including illegal evictions, consumer debt, and domestic violence. Only civil cases are covered with seniors able to get advice no matter their income. More on free legal aid from lawyers in Arkansas.
Non-Profit Credit Counseling Services: Several national and local agencies operate in Arkansas. They offer consumers a number of free or low-cost credit repair and debt assistance programs. Find details about Arkansas credit counseling.

Local Help by County in Arkansas

Select a county or city in Arkansas below. There are often local financial assistance programs (often combined with those above) that may help struggling families.

Arkansas County (De Witt and Stuttgart)

Ashley County (Hamburg)

Baxter County (Mountain Home)

Benton County (Bentonville)

Boone County (Harrison)

Bradley County (Warren)

Calhoun County (Hampton)

Carrol County (Berryville and Eureka Springs)

Chicot County (Lake Village)

Clark County (Arkadelphia)

Cleveland County (Rison)

Columbia County (Magnolia)