Assistance programs Benton County Arkansas and Betonville.
Below is a list of organizations that give financial help to the poor and struggling in Benton County. Qualified applicants may be given grants to help with the following costs. Funds from charities or churches can assist with security deposits; medical or dental bills; rent; mortgages; utility bills; clothing and more. When an agency can’t assist, they can help low income families apply for emergency financial assistance from the county or state government grant programs.
Financial help for bills in Benton County
The Salvation Army, which can be called at 479-636-8522, offers crisis assistance and other forms of financial aid, when resources allow. The goal of the agency is to provide very short term assistance with emergency. They can offer free food, rental and utility bill assistance, clothing, furniture, shelter, and household items. In addition, receive access to disaster services, seasonal service (such as holiday gifts), travel aid, counseling and rehabilitation. Students from K to 12 can also be given free back to school supplies. There may be support for other needs as they may arise, such as vouchers for prescriptions.
Second location of the Salvation Army is Siloam Springs. This center offers many of the same programs and resources as indicated above. 1971 Highway 412 East, Siloam Springs, Arkansas 72761, Call (479) 524-2084. Find more information on Benton County Salvation Army.
Rent assistance program, as well as help with other housing costs, is offered by the United Way of Northwest Arkansas distributes money from the Emergency Food and Shelter Program to local agencies and charities. Those agencies will then accept applications from people across Benton County, and provide funds as possible. The program has several components, and they can include one month’s utility bill payment, free food, rent, and housing in a hotel or motel if needed. 100 Parkwood St., Lowell, AR 72745. Call 479-750-1221. The local agencies actually distribute aid, not the United Way.
Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Arkansas – Benton County – Several resources are offered, such as assistance with utility bills for their clients. Other services include Food, free legal services, Public assistance programs, transportation, and referrals.
The non-profit also helps the elderly with home care, and offer respite services. Or apply for personal care assistance. The address is 1410 Southeast 14th Street, Bentonville, Arkansas 72712, call (479) 273-9424. Or more details on help from Northwest Arkansas Agency on aging office.
First Baptist Church of Bentonville – Offers emergency rental and utility bill assistance for people with a limited income. You need to make an appointment. Funds are limited. May also be able to refer low income families to other social services and government programs. 220 South Main Street, Bentonville, AR 72712, phone number is (479) 273-3379. Find how to get help from Bentonville First Baptist Church.
Helping Hands – Bentonville - Financial assistance is based on first come first serve. Utility assistance is offered, and the non-profit serves 25 applicants per day. May also have other services, such as free food, groceries, and help around the holidays, including Christmas. They also operate a low cost thrift store for the public. 320 Airport Road, Bentonville, Arkansas 72712, call (479) 273-2511, or find more details Helping Hands services.
Decatur Care - Offers an assistance program that provides cash grants and financial assistance for people who are at risk for having their utilities shut off. Specifically, some of the services offered include discounted utility services; and can offer disconnection protection. 1104 School Avenue, Decatur, Arkansas 72722, phone (479) 752-3514
Samaritan Community Center – Offers the Emergency Needs Assistance Program in Northwest Arkansas. Families in need and a crisis may qualify for aid. The two main programs are the Food Pantry and Care Advocate (social worker), and most people who receive help are below the poverty level. There are also free meals, a clinic for medical, as well as resale or thrift store. Telephone: 479-636-4198, or find more information on Samaritan Community Center assistance programs.
Care and Share Inc. may have vouchers for emergency needs. They will be for basic needs. 103 Huntington Street, Gravette, Arkansas 72736. Call (479) 344-6114.
Catholic Charities, including St. Stephen Benevolent, try to help the poor. The unemployed, women facing domestic violence, working poor, and others can get help, no matter the faith or religion. Whether food, clothes, a few dollars to help with bills, shelter, or something else, resources are offered. More on Benton County Catholic Charities assistance programs.
Office of Human Concern, Inc. offers a number of assistance programs, with a focus on senior citizens and the elderly. Call them at (479) 636-7301.
- Gain access to the weatherization programs, as well as money to pay energy bills. The Office of Human Concern, Inc. runs the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), which is a federal government funded assistance program designed to assist low-income, elderly, and disabled households with paying for their home energy bills. On the other hand, the federal government funded Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) can help people lower their energy bills by providing free energy conservation resources to reduce energy costs for low-income families in Benton County.
- Congregate meals are served at local Benton County activity centers. This will be a free or low cost hot lunch.
- Senior Services Programs are wide ranging and extensive. They are offered at several regional activity centers to those that are age 60 and older as well as their spouses. Take part in workshops, learn about government assistance such as Medicare, prescription assistance, and other aid.
- Transportation may be arranged to doctors' offices, Senior Activity Centers, and even some recreational events.
- Low cost or free home-delivered meals can include lunches, frozen weekend meals and Thanksgiving, Easter, or Christmas meals. These are for the homebound.
- Information and referrals are offered. They can be for local non-profits or federal government resources such as weatherization.
Many other services are available in Benton County from the community action agency. More Office of Human Concern assistance programs.
Pea Ridge Ministerial Alliance – While funding is limited, provides up to $50.00 per quarter for rent assistance or utility bills. Address is 1650 Slack Street, Pea Ridge, Arkansas 72751, phone (479) 451-8322
Benton County Society Saint Vincent administers low income assistance programs in the region. Another focus is on senior citizens, children, and the disabled. Resources ranging from financial help for paying rent, medications or energy bills is offered as well as free food and other basic needs. The churches and charities that are part of the organization can also provide referrals and information as well. More details on financial help from St. Vincent in Arkansas.
Locate rent and eviction help in Bentonville and other local towns. Several non-profits and even churches can provide a small amount of money for unpaid rent or maybe a deposit to move into a new home or low income apartment.
One option is the Emergency Food and Shelter. This national and local Benton County program relies on annual federal government grants. As a result, local non-profits may have occasional one time financial assistance or issue loans for paying expenses for the homeless, or those on the verge of eviction, including back rent, utility bills, or security deposits. A screening process will be in place in order to receive funds, and click more Benton rent help.
Assistance is offered at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Both churches and charities, including the Salvation Army, offer free meals and toys. Find out where to get help, including applications to Angel Tree or Toys for tot. Find the free Christmas assistance in Benton County.
Benton County charity clothing closets can help low income families. More moderate income households can also shop at a local thrift store for discounted, gently used items. The clients may be provided with household items, clothes, school supplies, and much more. More on clothing closets in Benton County.
Dental care
An organization in Rogers Arkansas provides free dental care to low income and the underprivileged. Altrusa International, Inc. of Rogers serves and provides dental assistance for underprivileged students and children who reside in Rogers School District. While unfortunately the program is limited in its scope, they can also provide dental care to as many underprivileged adults as well in catastrophic instances or an emergency case by case basis. Call the organization at 479-636-0970.
Another program for students is the Fayetteville Youth Dental Program (479-444-3058). The organization provides free or low cost dental care to children in the Fayetteville school district whose families meet the income guidelines of the program.
Medical care in Benton Arkansas
Rogers Clinic (phone number 479-636-9235) provides high quality, accessible and affordable primary and preventive health and medical care to the uninsured and low income residents in Northwest Arkansas and Benton County. They complete this goal by providing accessible and affordable primary and preventive health care to people in need. Their mission is to improve the residents access to basic healthcare services and it will help build a stronger and healthier community for all local families.
Another facility that can assist is the Northwest Arkansas Free Health & Dental Center. Dial 479-444-7548 to learn more or apply for an appointment. The services offered by the center include general dental, medical, hygiene and women’s clinics. In addition, patients can get help with prescription medications, physical therapy and diabetes education.
St. Francis Clinic of Siloam Springs/ St. Francis House Inc (479-524-9550) offers free and discounted healthcare services for both pediatrics and adults. Gain access to prescription assistance programs, patient health education, help for hospital bills, and identification of more serious conditions and arrangement for consults and appointments when possible.
Free legal advice and counsel
Many people can’t afford to pay for an attorney, and the need for advice is greater than ever today. Legal Aid of Northwest Arkansas is a non-profit law firm that provides low income and other applicants with free legal advice. Call them at 479-442-0600. They can help people with family issues, domestic disputes, provide free foreclosure advice, and help with consumer debt issues. More on free legal advice.
Free food, groceries and meals
The Northwest Arkansas Food Bank partners with over 100 local member agencies and charities to distribute food to families in Benton County and northwest Arkansas. Together these various agencies and food centers are able to reach out to those in need. They have also joined with Feeding America, which was formerly known as America's Second Harvest. Contact them at 479-872-8774.
To find individual churches, pantries, and food banks in Benton County Arkansas, there are more options available for residents. The free emergency pantries in Benton County have limited hours. A couple dozen main centers help thousands of people per year feed themselves and their families.
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