Arkansas financial assistance directory
Low-Income Help and Resources in Arkansas
If household costs are hard to manage, Arkansas has programs that may help with food, housing, utilities, healthcare, child care, and other basic needs. Start with the statewide options below, then follow the local application route when a program is handled by a county, community action agency, housing authority, or other regional provider.
Money Fit serves Arkansas residents statewide. If debt or monthly payments are also part of the problem, call 800-432-0310 or start a confidential debt review.
Where to start
The best starting point depends on whether the need involves a state benefit, a local service, or housing and utility assistance. Eligibility, funding, waiting lists, and application methods vary by program.
Apply for SNAP, cash, or health coverage
Access Arkansas is the current state portal for SNAP, Transitional Employment Assistance, Medicaid, ARKids First, and other health coverage programs.
Find local help statewide
Arkansas Community Action Agencies serve all 75 counties and can connect households with local energy, housing, food, employment, emergency, and family-support programs.
Housing or utility assistance
LIHEAP is currently open and applications go through the community-based organization serving your county. Housing and shelter programs are also administered locally.
Arkansas 211 changed operations in 2026. Its current service area is limited to Benton, Madison, and Washington counties. Residents elsewhere should use Access Arkansas, a DHS county office, a Community Action Agency, or the program-specific resources below. Arkansas 211 can still mobilize statewide during disasters.
Food assistance
For ongoing grocery help, start with Arkansas SNAP or WIC when it fits the household. For food needed sooner, use the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance and regional food-bank network.
Arkansas SNAP
SNAP provides monthly grocery benefits to eligible Arkansas households. Access Arkansas can be used to apply, manage a case, report changes, and upload requested documents.
DHS assistance: 855-372-1084
Arkansas WIC
WIC provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals for eligible pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum participants, infants, and children under age five. WIC services are available through Local Health Units and other approved clinics.
Arkansas WIC: 501-661-2508
Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance
The Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance works with regional food banks and local pantries across all 75 counties. Its emergency-resources directory helps residents identify the food bank or pantry network serving their area.
Housing, rent, and utility help
Arkansas energy assistance, weatherization, affordable housing, rental assistance, and emergency shelter are handled through different local organizations. Funding and waiting lists can change quickly.
Arkansas LIHEAP
LIHEAP may help eligible households with winter heating or summer cooling costs. The program is currently open, and applications must be made through the community-based organization serving the applicant's county.
Arkansas Weatherization Assistance Program
Weatherization may help qualifying households reduce energy use and address certain health and safety concerns through approved home improvements. Five regional providers serve all 75 Arkansas counties.
Arkansas Development Finance Authority Apartment Finder
Use ADFA's county-based apartment listings to locate affordable rental properties financed through state housing programs. Contact the property directly to confirm availability, rent, accessibility, and eligibility.
Local public housing authorities
Public housing and Housing Choice Voucher programs are managed by local housing authorities. Waiting-list status differs by jurisdiction, so residents should contact the agency serving their community directly.
HUD public housing help: 800-955-2232
Shelter and homelessness help
HUD's Find Shelter tool can locate nearby shelters, food pantries, health clinics, and clothing resources. Community Action Agencies may also know about local rent, utility, homelessness-prevention, and emergency programs.
Legal Aid of Arkansas
Legal Aid of Arkansas now serves all 75 counties and may help eligible low-income residents with eviction, landlord-tenant issues, public benefits, consumer matters, and other civil legal problems. Advice or representation is not guaranteed.
Statewide helpline: 800-952-9243
Healthcare coverage and clinics
Arkansas Medicaid and ARKids First cover different eligibility groups. Access Arkansas is the main state application portal, while community health centers and Medicaid transportation may help residents reach care.
Arkansas Medicaid
Arkansas Medicaid provides health coverage through several programs for eligible children, adults, pregnant people, older adults, people with disabilities, and residents who need long-term services. Access Arkansas can be used to apply and manage a case.
DHS assistance: 855-372-1084
ARKids First
ARKids First provides health coverage for eligible Arkansas children under age 19 through Medicaid and CHIP pathways. Access Arkansas can be used to apply and determine which coverage may fit.
ARKids First Helpline: 888-474-8275
Medicaid non-emergency transportation
Eligible Medicaid members may be able to receive transportation to covered medical appointments when they do not have another way to get there. Scheduling and authorization rules depend on the trip and member's coverage.
Transportation helpline: 888-987-1200
Community health centers
Federally supported health centers provide primary care and may offer dental, pharmacy, behavioral health, and other services. Health centers serve insured and uninsured patients and use sliding-fee programs based on income and family size.
Child care, family, and cash assistance
Arkansas uses separate programs for child care assistance, temporary family cash support, regulated child care searches, and early childhood services.
School Readiness Assistance Program
School Readiness Assistance may help eligible families pay for child care. Funding is limited, and families may be placed on a county waiting list when funds are not available. Certain priority groups may receive different treatment under current program rules.
Program help: 800-322-8176
Arkansas child care search
Families can search regulated child care providers through the Arkansas Office of Early Childhood portal. Provider details, availability, and participation in assistance programs should be confirmed directly with the provider.
Transitional Employment Assistance
TEA provides short-term financial help and employment-related support to eligible families with children. Benefits may include cash assistance, job training, child care, and transportation support under program rules.
Head Start and Early Head Start
Head Start programs provide early learning, health, nutrition, and family support for eligible young children and families. Local programs handle eligibility, applications, openings, and waiting lists.
Locator help: 866-763-6481
Work, legal help, and essential services
Job loss, a legal problem, or loss of affordable phone or internet service can quickly affect housing, healthcare, and the ability to apply for other assistance.
Arkansas unemployment insurance
Eligible workers who lose work through no fault of their own may be able to receive temporary unemployment benefits. Claims are filed through the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services.
Unemployment assistance: 844-908-2178
Arkansas Workforce Centers
Arkansas Workforce Centers provide no-cost job-search help, career guidance, training referrals, veteran services, employer connections, and other workforce services. Arkansas JobLink provides statewide online job-search tools.
Legal Aid of Arkansas
Legal Aid of Arkansas provides free civil legal services to eligible low-income residents and now serves all 75 counties. Its priority areas include housing, public benefits, consumer matters, family law, bankruptcy, and other civil issues.
Statewide helpline: 800-952-9243
Federal Lifeline benefit
Lifeline may reduce the monthly cost of qualifying phone or broadband service. Eligibility can be based on income or participation in programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, or Federal Public Housing Assistance. Enhanced support may be available on qualifying Tribal lands.
Lifeline Support Center: 800-234-9473
Older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers
Arkansas aging and disability programs can help residents locate meals, transportation, caregiver support, in-home services, long-term-care information, benefits counseling, and safety protections.
Choices in Living Resource Center
The Choices in Living Resource Center helps older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers, and families understand long-term services and supports, Medicaid options, home and community services, and local resources.
Resource Center: 866-801-3435
Area Agencies on Aging
Area Agencies on Aging coordinate local programs such as meals, transportation, caregiver support, senior centers, benefits counseling, and other services for older adults and families.
Arkansas Adult Protective Services
Adult Protective Services receives and investigates reports involving suspected maltreatment, neglect, self-neglect, or exploitation of endangered or impaired adults. Call 911 first when someone faces immediate danger.
Adult Maltreatment Hotline: 800-482-8049
Crisis, safety, and disaster resources
If someone is in immediate danger, has a life-threatening medical emergency, or cannot stay safe, call 911.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 for free, confidential, 24-hour support involving mental health, suicide, substance use, or emotional distress. Arkansas DHS also maintains a weekday support line for help locating treatment and recovery services.
Call or text: 988
Mental Health & Addiction Support: 844-763-0198
Arkansas domestic violence services
The Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence connects survivors with local advocacy, shelter, safety planning, and support services. The National Domestic Violence Hotline remains available 24 hours a day.
Arkansas hotline: 800-269-4668
National hotline: 800-799-7233
Arkansas 211
Arkansas 211 is operated by Hark at Excellerate Foundation and currently serves Benton, Madison, and Washington counties. It can also mobilize statewide during disasters.
Call: 211 or 866-489-6983
Text: ZIP code to 898211
Arkansas and federal disaster assistance
The Arkansas Division of Emergency Management posts current disaster information and recovery guidance. Federal assistance may become available after a presidential disaster declaration and applies only to eligible losses and designated locations.
ADEM: 501-683-6700
FEMA Helpline: 800-621-3362
Review the household budget and unsecured debt together
Public assistance may help with food, housing, healthcare, child care, or utilities while credit cards, medical bills, collections, personal loans, or payday loans continue taking money from the rest of the budget. Money Fit nonprofit credit counseling can help Arkansas residents review income, expenses, debts, and possible next steps.
A debt management plan may help organize eligible unsecured debts into one monthly payment to Money Fit, which then sends payments to participating creditors. It is not a new loan or debt settlement. Creditor participation, concessions, account treatment, fees, and payment changes can vary.
Money Fit does not provide cash assistance, food benefits, rent assistance, utility benefits, government benefits, or emergency grants. The counseling form below is for help reviewing debt and monthly payments.
Open the Money Fit debt review form
Share a few details so Money Fit can respond to your request. Your information stays with Money Fit and is not sent to a marketplace of lenders or debt companies.
Related Money Fit resources
These resources can help with debt, housing, financial education, and assistance in other states.
