When people experience a financial setback they need somewhere they can turn to for help. Without getting that help they may not be able to have their basic needs met. They may struggle to pay their bills and get the things they need to get by. The good news is that there is financial help for African Americans in Arkansas. The programs have been created to help ensure that basic needs are being met.
Most of the programs in place that provide financial help for African Americans in Arkansas are funded by the federal government. Additionally, some are funded by local governments and organizations. Any of the help that you receive from these organizations is considered a gift and you will not ever have to pay it back, because they are not loans.
Financial Help Programs for African Americans in Arkansas
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – One of the most important basic living needs that everyone has is shelter. This organization has a mission of helping people with their housing needs and trying to keep people from being homeless. They will provide financial help for African Americans in Arkansas. They offer a variety of programs, including helping people pay their rent, avoid foreclosure, locate affordable housing, and more. They provide free weatherization services and they have government-owned housing units where people can live for no cost to them. To qualify for help through this program you have to meet the low income guidelines and be a legal citizen or legal non-citizen. To get more information about HUD in Arkansas or apply for financial help, click here.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – This program has a mission of providing those in need with food assistance. They offer financial help for African Americans by providing them with the food they need each month. Those who are approved for the program will receive a debit card that is used each month as a payment source for purchasing groceries. Each month, the card is electronically loaded with the funds. The amount of the monthly financial help is determined by how many dependents live in the home. This program, which is funded by the federal government, used to be called food stamps. To get more information or apply for SNAP in Arkansas, click here.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) – This program will provide financial help for African Americans in Arkansas by providing cash each month. The cash can be used for any living expenses, including food, rent, transportation, paying bills, etc. To qualify for this program you have to have at least one minor child that you are caring for, and you have to be a legal citizen or a legal non-citizen. You also have to meet the low income guideline requirements. If you are approved for the program the amount you will receive each month is determined by how many dependents you have. There is a five year limit on how long you can receive TANF. To get more information or apply for TANF in Arkansas, click here.
Women, Infants and Children (WIC) – This is a federally funded program that aims to ensure that at-risk women are getting their nutritional needs met. The program provides those African Americans who qualify with free healthy food each month. The difference between this program and SNAP is that this is specifically for women and the food that is provided is all healthy. To qualify for WIC, you have to meet the low income requirements and be considered nutritionally at risk. You also have to be pregnant or have at least one child ages five and under. To apply for this program, you have to go to a WIC clinic near you. During that visit they will provide an evaluation to determine if you meet the qualifications for the assistance. To get more information and find a WIC clinic near you, click here.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – This program offers financial help for African Americans in Arkansas by paying a utility bill each year. The program is funded through federal block grants, which means the when the funds run out each year they can’t help anyone else. You have to re-apply for this program yearly, and those who get the assistance are the ones who tend to apply early on. To qualify for the program you have to have a low income and be the person who is responsible for paying the utility bill. If you are approved, the program will send the funds to pay your bill directly to the utility provider on your behalf. To get more information or apply for LIHEAP, click here.
Catholic Charities of Arkansas– This organization is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church and offers over 3,000 locations around the country. They offer help to people of all walks of life. They aim to help end poverty and homelessness, by helping people who are in need with food, clothing, counseling, shelters, bill payment assistance, etc. To get help through Catholic Charities of Alabama you have to find the location that is close to you and contact them for assistance. To get more information about the programs they offer and to find a location to contact for help, click here.
Salvation Army – Similar to Catholic Charities, this organization has locations around the country. They help people by providing a variety of programs, including those that offer hot meals, boxes of food, clothing, transportation, substance abuse programs, counseling, and more. Each location offers different types of services to provide financial help for African American. In Arkansas, the Salvation Army is a place that many people turn to for assistance. They will even help you get furniture for your home if you have a low income and cannot afford to purchase some. They run thrift stores that allow them to take in donations from the community and provide those items to others in need. To get more information and find a Salvation Army location near you, click here.