No matter where you live in the country you will likely have bills to pay. Depending on the state you live in, you may have a more challenging time getting them paid. For those who live in the state of Arkansas, there may be times when they are financially challenged. During those times, getting money assistance for paying the bills is important. In Arkansas there are numerous programs one can turn to for financial assistance.
Those who have a low income may struggle to meet their basic needs. It is crucial that those needs are met, so that people do not become homeless or go hungry. There are programs that are in place that provide a safety net and will provide you with money assistance for paying bills and ensuring that your basic needs are being met. Knowing about the programs is a crucial step to getting the help you need for your family.
Programs Offering Money Assistance in Arkansas
The programs below aim to help those with a low income be able to meet their basic needs. If you need financial assistance at anytime, you can apply for the programs below to get assistance. Most require that you meet certain low income standards and be a citizen or legal non-citizen. You can apply for as many programs as you feel qualified for, as there is no limit. Also, you will never have to pay the funds back from the help you receive, because it is considered a gift to help those in need.
Medicaid – One of the most common bills that people struggle to pay are medical bills. They can be costly and many people don’t have the extra funds in their budget to cover them. The good news is that Medicaid is offered to help people who have a low income. The program will help pay for such medical bills as visiting the doctor, being in the hospital, obtaining prescription drugs, going to the eye doctor or dentist, and more. The Medicaid program will help pay for most types of healthcare bills. To qualify for the program you have to have a low income and be a citizen or legal non-citizen. To get more information and apply for Medicaid in Arkansas, click here.
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – This federal agency can help pay for housing bills, including rent, weatherization, necessary repairs, and more. They are the largest provider of help paying for housing in the country. They can also help you find affordable housing and reduce your monthly energy bills. To qualify you have to be a citizen or legal non-citizen and have a low income. There is no limit to how long you can get help through HUD. To get more information and apply for housing bill payment help, click here.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) – This program will provide monthly money assistance for paying bills. In Arkansas, you can only get help from the program for five years. Those who have a low income and meet the citizenship requirements may be able to get the monthly cash benefit. The money assistance they provide can be used to pay for all types of living expenses, including housing, transportation, food, clothing, bills, etc. To qualify, you have to have at least one minor child in the home that you are caring for. The amount that you receive is determined by how many dependents you have. To get more information and apply for TANF, click here.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – This program will provide money assistance for paying for food bills. Those who are approved for the program will receive funds each month that they can use to pay for their groceries at the store. The funds are electronically added to a debit card that becomes your payment source. This program is federally funded and is largely still known as food stamps, as it was once called. To qualify for food stamps you have to have a low income and be a citizen or legal non-citizen. The money assistance provided to purchase food is only for that which will be prepared at home. The funds cannot be used to pay for food at restaurants, takeout food, or food that has been prepared at the store (such as a rotisserie chicken). There is no limit to how long you can receive help through SNAP. To get more information and apply for SNAP, click here.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – Those who need money assistance to pay their energy bills may qualify for LIHEAP. This program is federally funded through a block grant, which means you will have to re-apply each season for money assistance to pay your energy bills. If you are approved for the program, they will pay your energy bill directly to the provider and your account will be credited. To qualify for assistance, you have to have low income and be the person responsible for paying the bill. Upon applying for help you will have to provide your photo ID, social security card, copy of your most recent utility bill, proof of income, and proof of residency. To get more information and apply, click here.
211 – This organization offers a free referral system. You can call them at 211 and let them know you need money assistance for paying bills. They will go through their database to provide you with referrals to local programs that can help with your specific situation and need. To get more information about the organization and program, click here.
Catholic Charities – This organization has locations around the state. Each location provides assistance to those in the community who need help. You can contact a location near you to see what type of money assistance they can provide to help pay for bills. They may also be able to help with providing free food, clothing, transportation vouchers, and more. They may also be able to provide some referrals to other local programs that can help. To find a location near you, click here.
