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