(Information about any of the services listed below is available

in Spanish by calling 800-482-8988)
 

ARKids First

888-474-8275     (English)

800-482-8988     (Spanish)

ARKids First provides health insurance to children who otherwise might not get medical care.  The program offers two coverage options.  ARKids A offers low-income children a comprehensive benefits package.  ARKids B provides limited coverage for slightly higher income families.  ARKids B requires a small co-pay for most services.
 

Commodity Distribution Program

1-800-467-3663

This program processes and distributes raw commodities donated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to schools and other eligible recipient agencies in Arkansas that participate in the National School Lunch Program and Summer Food Service Program.
 

Community Services Block Grant Program

1-501-682-8719

The Community Services Block Grant Program provides funds to support services and activities that are designed to assist low-income families to become self-sufficient.  Services are provided through the 16 Community Action Agencies in the state. 
 

Disaster Services

1-800-482-8988

This program provides financial assistance to families affected by state and federally declared disasters that meet income and other criteria. 

 This program distributes commodities to food banks, soup kitchens, shelters and other

 nonprofit agencies.  Donated foods are also made available for Disaster Assistance. 

The Emergency Shelter Grants Program assists local communities in helping to improve the quality of life for the homeless by providing grants for minor renovations, rehabilitation or conversion of buildings for the homeless, funds for payments of certain operating and maintenance expenses, funds for social services expenses, and homeless prevention efforts.

The Food Stamp Program provides food assistance to eligible households to cover a portion of an eligible household’s food budget.  Benefits are distributed through Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT).  In addition to food assistance, the program provides food stamp recipients with nutrition education, employment & training, and work experience. 
 

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program provides financial assistance to approximately 60,000 households each year to help them meet the costs of home energy. It also offers weatherization services and case management activities designed to encourage households to reduce their energy costs and need for financial  assistance.  For information, please contact this unit or your local Community Action  Agency.

Medicaid reimburses health care providers for covered medical services provided to eligible needy individuals in certain categories. Eligibility is determined based on income, resources, Arkansas residency, and other requirements.  Covered services also vary among categories.

Categories are summarized below under two headings, Aged, Blind & Disabled Categories and Children & Family Categories.

• Individuals aged 65 and older who meet income; resource and other requirements are eligible for full Medicaid coverage.

• Individuals who are determined blind or disabled individuals based on Social Security Administration criteria who meet income, resource and other requirements are eligible for full Medicaid coverage. 

• Medicare Savings Program provides limited coverage to supplement Medicare recipients.  Coverage varies based on income, ranging from payment of the Medicare premiums, deductibles and co-insurance for low-income individuals to paying only a portion of the Medicare Part B premium for individuals with higher incomes.

• Long Term Care - Individuals who are residents of nursing homes may qualify for Medicaid if the care in the facility is medically necessary and they meet income, resource and other criteria.  

• ElderChoices covers individuals age 65 and older who would be eligible if they were in a nursing facility, but choose to remain at home.  

• Alternatives for Adults with Physical Disabilities covers individuals who are physically disabled and between the ages of 21 and 65 who would be eligible for Medicaid if they were in a nursing facility, but choose to remain at home.

• DDS Alternative Community Services covers individuals of any age who are determined to be developmentally disabled, who would be eligible for Medicaid if they were in a nursing facility, but choose to remain at home.

• Working Disabled provides full coverage to disabled individuals who are working.  Individuals with lower income pay the normal Medicaid co-pays.  Individuals with higher income pay higher co-pays.
     

• Needy children under age 19 who meet income, resource and other requirements are eligible for full Medicaid coverage under the ARKids program.

• A parent or other caretaker relative of children under age 18 with an absent, disabled or unemployed parent who meet income, resource and other requirements is eligible for full Medicaid coverage 

• Needy pregnant women who meet income, resource and other requirements are eligible for full Medicaid coverage 

•  Pregnant women with income up to 200% of Federal Poverty Level may be eligible for limited coverage if they meet certain income, resource and other criteria, including prenatal, delivery, postpartum and conditions which may complicate the pregnancy.  Coverage continues through the pregnancy and until the end of the month that the 60^th day postpartum falls. 

• Family Planning provides limited coverage that includes family planning services only to women of childbearing age and who also meet income, resources and other criteria.
   

This program assists newly arrived eligible refugees to assimilate into the American way of life.  The program offers financial and medical services to eligible refugees for up to five years.  

TEA is a time-limited assistance program to help needy families with children become more responsible for their own support and less dependent on public assistance.  In addition to monthly cash assistance, employment-related services are provided to parents, including job-readiness activities, transportation assistance, childcare assistance, and other supportive services so that the parent can engage in work or education and training activities.  

This program installs energy conservation materials and appliance in the homes of 1300 low-income families annually to lower the utility bills.  Materials generally installed include insulation; duct sealing, weather-stripping and caulking doors and windows, replacement of broken windows and health and safety measures that are required prior to weatherization.