Government benefit programs from DHS in Arkansas.
The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) runs a number of public assistance programs for the low income and people living in poverty. In some cases cash assistance can be provided to pay for basic needs or people get government benefits that help with food and medical care. The goal of these various social services is to ensure people become self-sufficient over the long term and find details on DHS government assistance programs in your area of Arkansas below.
Details of the DHS programs are also on the Access Arkansas website. Hundreds of thousands of Arkansas families benefit from these government resources and public aid programs. They can be very effective at offering short term help in an emergency situation. However a focus is always on providing case management to struggling people as the benefits, whether food, government money, or something else are generally time limited.
Food benefits from DHS public assistance programs
Food stamps, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), is the main government food assistance program that is used to minimize and/or end hunger in Arkansas. Low income households, including seniors and disabled, who receive aid from this resource can buy the food they need for a healthy diet. The Department of Human Services will provide people on SNAP benefits with an EBT card to pay for groceries or even hot restaurant meals that SNAP pay for at some places.
Summer Food Service Program as well as the National School Lunch Program distribute free food and meals to the students and the youth. The programs work with the federal government public assistance resource known as Commodity Distribution Program. Food pantries, churches, and soup kitchens across Arkansas all provide food to kids from low-income families.
Arkansas DHS health insurance services
Medicaid from DHS is the primary public health care program that is offered to the low income and people living in poverty in Arkansas. The government funded program can help pay for medically necessary health care costs and medical services. Both the state and federal government pay for the service and resulting medical as well as dental treatments. All types of health care can be covered by the benefit.
- The Medicaid Program pays only for covered medical and health services. Doctors and hospitals are directly reimbursed by Medicaid in Arkansas. The government assistance program can pay for medications, surgery, physicals and other costs can be paid for by Medicaid. Note this public benefit is only for very low income families, the disabled, or Arkansas residents living in poverty. If not qualified, then find other sources of financial help for paying medical bills, which anyone can use.
ARKids in the state’s version of CHIP. The program provides health care insurance and medical care for children who are uninsured or whose families can’t afford to pay their medical bills. In general, the age limit is 17 and under. There are different plans offered by ARKids so it also provided flexibility. DHS case workers will help the resident determine the best option for their family.
Other free or low-income insurance is provided. Low income Arkansas families, and those living in poverty, can apply for free health insurance from a combination of non-profit as well as public programs. There is everything from Medicaid to federal government resources like CHIP, non-profit, faith based care and state programs. Using public funds, there may be help in medical or dental care, prescription drugs, diabetes, obesity, and so much more. Find a list of government free health insurance.
Financial help from DHS government aid in Arkansas
TANF benefits (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) is a cash assistance program for very low-income families as well as single people. The money from the government will help cover costs for the household as the recipient gains self-sufficiency. The public assistance program, including cash for a single person, will help pay for clothes, utilities, food and other costs the household has. The government assistance program is time limited and money from the government is only available for a defined period of time based on factors outline on Access Arkansas.
If you need help paying for child care while you work, look for a job, or attend job training, then the free Arkansas Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) may be able to help. It is a federal and state benefit that arranges income based daycare. CCAP will provide cash assistance for those costs. Help is offered for qualified low income families as well as single moms or dads. Continue with free child care in Arkansas.
Eligible refugees who arrive in Arkansas can get financial help from the Refugee Resettlement Program. Both cash assistance and medical care can be provided for several months. The free cash from Department of Human Services in Arkansas helps the refugee pay their bills for a period of time while they acclimate to the state and country. Most of it is “time based”, meaning the government will only help for a limited period. They encourage self-sufficiency along with employment with any public assistance paid out. Even working from home may be an option.
Arkansas Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)can help people save money on their energy bills. Free energy conservation materials can be installed in homes and apartments to lower utility bills. Improvements made to homes can include weather-stripping, insulation of ceilings, duct sealing, replacement of broken windows, repairs to AC units as well as health and safety measures. Or get free caulking of doors and windows that are required prior to weatherization.
DHS and community action arrange LIHEAP grants. Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program is offered for paying electric and utility bills. Grant money can pay your bill on a monthly basis. Or, if you are faced with an emergency and your power is about to be disconnected, then financial assistance can be provided to deal with the emergency situation as part of crisis LIHEAP or other benefits listed on Access Arkansas. Funding is limited from this government funded program, so apply for financial help early in the season.
The Arkansas Emergency Services Unit coordinates and runs all individual assistance programs for victims of disasters such as floods, hurricanes, or fires. Funds, grants, and material may all be provided to impacted families including free emergency hotel rooms.
Additional cash assistance is offered from the TEA Program. Temporary assistance can be paid out to help needy families with children or a pregnant member pay their bills and for their basic needs. In addition, participants most commit to finding a job. The goal is to build self-sufficiency and help people become less dependent on public assistance and government benefits. The Arkansas Department of Workforce Service runs this program. Find more details on cash assistance in Arkansas.
Applying for public aid in Arkansas
Other government benefits are offered and there are also job training programs, social workers for the low-income and other aid. It is possible to apply online at Access Arkansas from this service here. https://access.arkansas.gov/Learn/Home with the helpline at 1-855-372-1084
There are also in person DHS sites as well as benefits per county including the DHS benefits in Pulaski County. Or call the Arkansas Department of Human Services at 1-800-482-8988 for information on public assistance and to learn how to apply.
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