COVID-19 Resource Assistance

Broadband Service

  • Emergency Broadband Benefit Program: This program, which began on May 12, 2021, helps qualified households with discounts on broadband service up to $50 per month. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer or tablet from a participating provider if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.

Community Service Assistance

  • Arkansas 2-1-1: 2-1-1 is a free telephone service that connects individuals in need to important community services in the state of Arkansas.
  • Online Resource Guide: Serving eight counties in the Ouachita Region, the guide lists up-to-date information for an array of services available.

Family / Personal Wellbeing 

  • Mental Health and Addiction Services Support Line: 1-844-763-0198; 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
  • 24/7 Child Abuse Hotline: 1-844-Save-A-Child
  • 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

Food Assistance

Funeral Assistance (COVID-19-Related Deaths)

  • FEMA Funeral Assistance: FEMA is providing financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20,2020.

Rental Assistance 

  • The Arkansas Rent Relief Program offers financial help to pay overdue and upcoming rent and utilities for eligible Arkansas renters. Landlords who have tenants unable to pay their rent because of lost income or the COVID-10 pandemic also may apply.  The state of Arkansas has $173 million of federal funding for this program. Once an application is approved, money would go directly to landlords and utilities companies.
  • COVID-19 Emergency Solutions Grant: This program began on May 17, 2021. The DHS Division of County Operations partnered with community organizations throughout the state to distribute Emergency Solutions Grant funds to eligible Arkansans who are homeless or at risk for homelessness due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Ouachita Children’s Center, Inc., and the Grant County Unified Community are two organizations serving Hot Springs/Garland County that are among the list of groups who have been awarded funding. You must apply for this funding through the organization in your county — not through DHS.

Unemployment

Utility Assistance

  • Ouachita Behavioral Health and Wellness (Community Development Block Grant CARES Act funded emergency rent and utility subsistence program):Hot Springs residents who have experienced financial hardship related to COVID-19 and, as a result, are behind on rent or utility payments can now apply for assistance. Eligible applicants must live inside the city limits, have proof of a COVID-related hardship – such as a layoff or reduced work hours – and meet the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s low- to moderate-household income and other requirements. 
    • Garland County residents can pick-up an application for rent and utility assistance outside the Garland County Community Services Office (CSO) at 600 West Grand Avenue, Suite 200. 
    • Contact Loren Eitel-Morphew at 501-762-9038 for more information or to request an application.