Are you a single mom in Arkansas struggling to make ends meet? Between working, taking care of your kids, and all of the other responsibilities in your life, you barely have time to relax, let alone find resources to help ease your financial burden. But don’t lose hope – there are programs in Arkansas specifically designed to help single mothers like you.
From food assistance programs to help with things like early childhood education for your kids, support is out there. You just have to know where to look. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the options for financial assistance for single mothers in Arkansas, so you can provide the best life possible for your family. While the road ahead may not always be easy, you don’t have to walk it alone.
Arkansas TANF – Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
The first program on our list is Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). The TANF program offers temporary cash assistance to pregnant women and families with one or more dependent children. To qualify for TANF in Arkansas, you must be a resident of the state, responsible for a dependent child under 18 (or 19 if still in school), and meet certain income requirements.
TANF can help pay for essentials like food, shelter, utilities, and transportation. Cash benefits depend on your situation but typically range from around $200 to over $1000 a month. TANF can offer other services depending on your situation, sometimes even replacing a child-care assistance program or offering temporary transitional employment assistance. To apply, fill out an application with your local DHS county office.
To continue receiving TANF benefits, you must meet certain work requirements, including:
- Seeking employment or participating in an approved work activity for over 30 hours a week if you have a child over 6 years old. Approved activities include job skills training, community service, vocational rehabilitation, or education.
- Participating in the SNAP Employment and Training program if referred.
- Cooperating with child support enforcement to establish paternity and collect support from non-custodial parents.
While receiving cash benefits, your income and expenses will be reviewed periodically to determine if you still qualify. TANF benefits are limited to 60 months, though some exceptions could apply.
SNAP Benefits – Arkansas Department of Human Services
Another popular program for single mothers and families in need is the the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP provides food benefits to low-income families individuals in Arkansas. As a single parent, you may qualify for SNAP benefits to help supplement your grocery budget each month.
If approved, your SNAP food benefits will be deposited monthly into an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card account that can be used to purchase groceries at approved stores and even certain farmer’s markets. The amount you receive depends on your household size and income. SNAP benefits aim to supplement a household’s grocery budget by an average of 40 to 50 percent.
Applying for SNAP Benefits
To apply for SNAP food benefits in Arkansas, you will need to fill out an application with the Arkansas Department of Human Services. You can apply online, by phone, or in person at your local Department of Human Services county office.
When applying, you will need information like your income, expenses, and household size to determine your eligibility and benefit amount. SNAP considers your income after certain deductions like housing costs, medical bills, and certain work expenses. As a single mother, you may have higher living expenses, so be sure to provide documentation of all household bills and costs when applying.
Maintaining Your SNAP Benefits
To continue receiving SNAP benefits in Arkansas each month, you must meet certain requirements like income limits, employment or training if able, and periodic eligibility reviews. Be sure to report any changes in income, household size, or living expenses to DHS as soon as possible to avoid interruptions in your benefits. SNAP reviews are typically done every 6 to 12 months to re-certify your eligibility.
Medicaid and ARKids Health Insurance Programs
Let’s talk about healthcare, one of the more important expenses in the US. There are a few programs that can help you get health insurance as a single mother, some are specific to Arkansas while others are available nationally.
Medicaid
Medicaid provides health insurance for low-income individuals including children, pregnant women, the disabled, elderly, and parents of dependent children. In Arkansas, Medicaid is administered by the Arkansas Medicaid program. As a single mother, if your income falls within a certain range, you and your children may qualify for Medicaid.
ARKids First health insurance
ARKids First provides low-cost or free health insurance for children under 19 whose families earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but can’t afford private insurance. Benefits include doctor visits, immunizations, prescription drugs, vision and dental care. To qualify, your family income must be below a certain limit, which varies based on your family size. Applicants have a simple application process to determine eligibility and levels of coverage.
Arkansas FREE PHONE & FREE DATA Program
Last but certainly not least, we have EASY Wireless. In this blog post, we’ve talked about many different programs that offer support with food, finances, healthcare, and more, but we haven’t talked about connectivity.
These days, connectivity is an essential part of everyday life. Staying in touch with your children, family, and friends is a must. That’s why you can now qualify for a FREE phone and FREE unlimited data with EASY Wireless! Here’s how you apply:
Lifeline/ACP Programs with EASY Wireless
Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) are government programs designed to make phone and internet services more affordable for eligible low-income seniors and families. At EASY Wireless, we understand the importance of affordable connectivity for everyone, and we want to help you access the benefits of these programs so you can always stay connected to your children and family, even when on a budget.
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!
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!
