Pulaski County public aid and government assistance.
The Department of Human Services in Pulaski County coordinates both federal government and state of Arkansas resources in an effort to help families facing poverty. The public aid focuses on offering basic needs such as applications for SNAP food stamps and low income energy bill assistance from LIHEAP. Those are just two of the options available, and other benefits may also be arranged.
While short term public assistance can be paid out to those that qualify, the goal is on self-sufficiency and stability. So social workers from the county will ensure the individual enrolls into job training, budgeting workshops and other services. In most cases, this will be a requirement in order to receive help from any state public benefit.
The federal funded Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is administered by churches, charities, and soup kitchens across Pulaski County. What happens is surplus commodities are distributed to low income families, seniors, and the working poor in the region. One of the primary goals is to prevent hunger, and this assistance can be provided to solve that crisis.
TEFAP is often combined with longer term solutions, including food stamps which are referenced below. The reason this occurs is in an effort to prevent long term hunger in the county, the Pulaski County Human Services Department will often combine resources and benefits in an effort to ensure this occurs.
Commodity Distribution is another resource, and this one has excess food that is offered to the working poor in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The items go to children and seniors in Little Rock and other cities in Pulaski County.
SNAP food stamps is formally known as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in Arkansas. This is for very low income families and those facing poverty, and applicants will be issued a voucher to use for shopping for groceries, canned goods, and related items. Priority is often for families with children and the elderly.
Many families in Little Rock may qualify for SNAP, but do not even realize it. Or they are hesitant to apply for this federal benefit. This should not occur, as all applications are confidential and the public assistance is provided discreetly using an EBT debt card.
Other options for students and children include free school lunches, Summer Food Service, and backpack programs from non-profits. These different options combine both public funds and resources from non-profits in an effort to help youth in the county.
Subsidized child care is available for residents that are working or in job training. Grants from the government will pay a portion of applicable expenses, and the parent will need to pay the balance. The amount will depend on their income and number of household members, among other factors.
Pulaski County programs for child care will free up a portion of the parent's obligation so they can focus on employment. There is often an extensive waiting list in place for this public aid, and social workers can provide more information or advice on the application process.
Medical bill and dental assistance is offered from Medicaid. The state will pay for different expenses ranging from check ups to prescription drugs. Patients will need to use a preferred network of doctors and professionals in order to get help, but Medicaid can provide benefits to the poor and low income.
Children can apply for ARKids. This is for families that are low to even moderate income, but who lack health insurance. The child or teenager can receive free check ups and other medical assistance from approved doctors and other professionals. There are age and other requirements in place as well.
Cash assistance and government grants in Pulaski
Several cash assistance programs operate across Pulaski County. Examples include Low-Income Home Energy Assistance for utility bills, Refugee Resettlement, TANF as well as TEA, which can assist with basic needs such as food. The applications for these will need to be done yearly, and all government resources and funding is limited. Another option, which can help with rent and housing expenses, is the Emergency Shelter Grants Program.
Those are some of the main public aid programs in Pulaski County. Participants will generally need to commit to finding a job, as the welfare available in Arkansas is time limited. Most of these are also run in partnership with the Department of Workforce Service as well as community action agencies, so the application process is extensive.
How to apply for public assistance in Pulaski County
The main Human Service offices are as follows.
1424 East Second , Little Rock, AR, 72203-8083, telephone 501-371-1300
6801 Baseline Road , Little Rock, Arkansas, 72219-8916, call 501-371-1100
Address is 2636 West Main , Jacksonville, AR, 72078-9921, dial 501-371-1200
1900 East Washington Avenue , North Little Rock, AR, 72119-5791. Main phone - 501-682-0100
1105 MLK, Jr. , Little Rock, AR, 72203-2620, phone 501-682-9200
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