Are you, like many families in Arkansas, finding it increasingly difficult to pay for your expenses because of rising prices? If your answer is yes, you need not worry as there are plenty of government programs that can help. As an Arkansas resident living on low income, you may qualify for benefits like food assistance, child care, health care, and even cash support!
Life can be tough on a fixed income, but don’t lose hope. Arkansas has resources in place specifically for people in your situation. Whether you need help putting food on the table, paying for child care so you can work, or affording medical bills, the state likely has a program that you are eligible for. In this guide, we’re going to walk you through some Arkansas benefits for low income families that can help you get through this difficult time.
Health Care Coverage For Arkansas’ Families
First on our list is health care. Health care is very expensive if you have to pay out of pocket. That’s why most people are enrolled in health insurance of some sort. But health insurance can be quite pricey as well. So what do you do if you’re on a fixed income? What are the health insurance programs that you can qualify for?
If you’re struggling to make ends meet in Arkansas, there are government assistance programs that give you access to free health insurance. For example, Medicaid and ARKids First are two very well known programs. Here’re what they cover:
Medicaid
Medicaid provides health insurance for low-income individuals including children, pregnant women, the disabled, elderly, and parents of dependent children. To qualify, your income must be below a certain threshold which varies by family size. Medicaid covers services like:
- Doctor visits
- Emergency care
- Hospital stays
- Vaccines
- Nursing home care
- Home health services
ARKids First
ARKids First provides low-cost health insurance for children under 19 whose families earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but can’t afford private insurance. It covers all the essentials to keep children healthy:
- Well-child checkups
- Immunizations
- Prescriptions
- Vision and dental care
- Hospital stays
To enroll in Medicaid or ARKids First, you can apply on their respective websites. These programs provide a lifeline for families facing financial difficulties. Don’t hesitate to see if you qualify and apply for the coverage you need.
SNAP Program: Food Assistance in Arkansas
Just like health care, food is another essential that can rack up quite a bill. Don’t worry, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can help put meals on the table. SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, provides monthly benefits to pay for groceries.
If approved, benefits are deposited onto an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card each month. You can use your EBT card to buy most foods at grocery stores, farmer’s markets, and some retail stores. SNAP cannot be used for household goods, pet food, paper products, alcohol, or tobacco. Applying for SNAP is easy, it can be done online or at your local Department of Human Services (DHS) office or SNAP office.
Cash Assistance For Low-Income Families
What about programs that give out hard, cold cash? The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program provides emergency financial assistance for pregnant women and families with children. As an Arkansas resident, if your income qualifies as very low, you may be eligible for monthly TANF cash assistance to help pay for essential expenses like food, housing, utilities, or transportation.
Once approved, TANF provides monthly cash payments deposited into a special debit card account, called an Electronic Benefits Card (EBT), just like the SNAP program. You can use this card to pay for most household necessities at stores, or withdraw cash at ATMs. With TANF, you don’t just receive financial assistance, the program also provides resources to help eligible families become self-sufficient, such as transitional employment assistance, training programs, child care, and transportation.
Some additional eligibility requirements for TANF in Arkansas include:
- Having a minor child in the household (under age 18, or under 19 and still in high school).
- Cooperating with child support enforcement to establish paternity and collect support from noncustodial parents.
- Participating in work or work-related activities for a certain number of hours per week, such as job searching, job training, community service, or education.
- Maintaining certain child immunization and school attendance standards.
- Complying with substance abuse testing and treatment if required.
LIHEAP Program: Help Paying Utility Bills
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low-income families in Arkansas pay their utility bills. If you’re having trouble affording your electricity or gas bills, LIHEAP may be able to help.
If you meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply for LIHEAP through your local community action agency. They will determine if you qualify based on your household size and income. If approved, you will receive a payment sent directly to your utility company to help pay your bills. The amount of assistance depends on your needs, income, and available funding. You may receive up to $450 per year for electricity bills and $750 for gas bills.
FREE PHONE & FREE DATA Program in Arkansas!
And last but not least, we bring you EASY Wireless’ FREE phone & FREE unlimited data offers. We understand how difficult it is to keep your head above water these days. With high cost of living and high taxes, government assistance programs can be a lifesaver for many people in the US.
Luckily, we have access to programs that provide food assistance, health care, support services, cash assistance, even emergency crisis intervention programs! But we also have organizations dedicated to helping you stay connected with friends and family. That’s right, by qualifying for programs like the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) or Lifeline with EASY Wireless, you can receive some incredible benefits!
What Benefits Do You Get With EASY Wireless?
Upon qualifying for one of the programs above with EASY Wireless, you will receive the following benefits:
EASY Wireless Unlimited Plan
- FREE Unlimited Data
- FREE Unlimited Talk
- FREE Unlimited Text
- FREE SIM Card Kit and Activation
- Choose to Keep Your Number or Get a New One
How do I Apply For EASY Wireless Benefits?
To get started with EASY Wireless, apply online by clicking the below:
Start Saving Today!
Start Saving Today!
Or you can come to one of the EASY Wireless’s retail stores, where our customer service agent will help you apply for the benefits.
Either way, the first step is to provide proof of identity with a government-issued ID. This is so you can confirm your participation in one of the qualifying programs or that you meet the household income requirement.
We accept the following U.S. Government Issued ID:
- U.S. Driver License
- Certificate of U.S. Citizenship
- Certificate of Naturalization
- U.S. Passport
- U.S. Government, State or Tribal issued-ID
- U.S. Military ID cards
- Permanent Resident Cards
- Permanent Resident Alien Cards
You can show the following documents to prove that you are taking part in a government assistance program or use them as proof of active benefits:
- Statement of benefits from a qualifying Program.
- Notice letter of participation, such as an award letter
- Program participation documents, such as a screenshot from an online account.
- In order to show income, you can provide any of the following proofs:
- Unemployment Documentation
- Copy of your State or Federal income tax return.
- Three months’ worth of current pay stubs.
- Veterans Administration or SSI benefits letter.
- A divorce decree or child support document that states income.
- Retirement or pension statement.
Need More Than Just One Line of Service or an Additional Phone?
EASY Wireless is a full-service cellular store that cares about all of your communication needs. We have a wide range of pre-paid plans for every budget and usage requirement. Also, we offer a selection of brand-name phones that combine quality, reliability, and the latest technology.
That’s not all – we also provide an array of amazing accessories to enhance your mobile experience. At EASY Wireless, we’re dedicated to providing exceptional service and ensuring you find the perfect plan, phone, and accessories to suit your lifestyle and preferences.
Visit us for all your cell phone and wireless service needs today!
Start Saving Today!
Start Saving Today!
