Senior benefits in Jackson County, Arkansas

White River Area Agency on Aging (WRAAA), based in Batesville, is the Area Agency on Aging for Jackson County. It offers in-home care by trained Home Care Assistants working under a Registered Nurse (bathing and personal care, meal help, medication reminders, light housekeeping, laundry, errands and rides to appointments, and relief for caregivers), care management, a Family Caregiver Program, a personal emergency response system, and veteran programs. Through senior centers in Jackson County and the rest of its area it offers noon meals, home-delivered meals for people who cannot leave home, wellness classes and rides to the center, grocery stores and pharmacies. Some help may be limited by funding. The Jackson County office is at 1200 AR 367, Newport. Call 870-523-4982 or toll-free 1-877-869-7016. The main office line is 870-612-3000 (toll-free 1-800-382-3205).

Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps households with home energy bills: heating costs in the winter and cooling costs in the summer. In Jackson County, Crowley's Ridge Development Council (CRDC) takes LIHEAP applications. Its office is at 2401 Fox Meadow Ln., Jonesboro; call 870-802-7100. Arkansas LIHEAP pays a regular benefit based on household income, household size and the type of energy used, and a crisis benefit that can prevent a shut-off, restore service, or provide fuel when it has run out. Crowley's Ridge Development Council's Jackson County office is at 2000 McLain Suite C, Newport (870-523-5474). Applications are taken first-come, first-served, typically from January to April 30 and from July to September 30 each year. Apply through this agency, not the Arkansas Energy Office. LIHEAP never charges a fee to apply.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) county office for Jackson County is at 1422 Hwy 367N, Newport, AR 72112-0658. It is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 870-523-9828. DHS county offices are run by the Division of County Operations, which processes applications for public assistance. You can apply for health care (Medicaid) and SNAP food benefits at your local county office, or apply and manage benefits online at Access.Arkansas.gov.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Unity Health - Newport (1205 McLain St., Newport) is part of Unity Health, which says no patient will be denied medical care because of inability to pay. Unity Health gives financial assistance (charity care) mainly based on household income on a sliding scale. Decisions may also look at state of residency, income, assets and net worth, family size, and how large and frequent medical bills are. Patients without insurance who do not qualify for financial assistance get an uninsured discount of 65% for hospital inpatient services, 75% for hospital outpatient services, and 50% for clinic services. Download the application from the Unity Health website and return it to Unity Health. For questions about the application process, call 501-380-1022.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

North East Arkansas Transit (NEAT), run by Crowley's Ridge Development Council, gives rural rides in Jackson County and eight other northeast Arkansas counties. Rides can be for shopping, medical visits, socializing, work, school or public services. Hours are 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call 48 hours ahead; rides are scheduled first come, first served. Call 1-866-336-3691 or 870-802-7105.

Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year