Senior benefits in Jefferson County, Arkansas

The Area Agency on Aging of Southeast Arkansas, based in Pine Bluff, serves older adults, caregivers and people with disabilities in this county. Its services include care coordination, home care, personal care, family caregiver support, in-home respite care, information and assistance, the long-term care ombudsman program, senior centers, transportation, Meals on Wheels, and help for veterans with personal care and health needs. Its main office is at 709 East 8th Avenue in Pine Bluff. Strachota Senior Citizens Center: 801 East 8th Avenue, Pine Bluff (870-543-6323). The main office number is 870-543-6300. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:00pm. Most senior center and Meals on Wheels services are for people age 60 and older.

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

Central Delta Community Action Agency (CDCAA) takes LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) applications for Arkansas, Cleveland, Grant, Jefferson and Lincoln Counties. LIHEAP helps pay heating bills in winter and cooling bills in summer, with a one-time payment made to the energy company. A Crisis Intervention program helps households with an energy emergency. Jefferson County residents can apply in person Monday to Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Applications can also be sent online at GetLIHEAP.com or by email to liheap@cdcaa.org. The 2026 summer program opened June 8, 2026 for people 60 and older, people with a disability and households with children under 6, and for everyone else on July 6, 2026, with applications accepted through September 30, 2026. The agency's office is at 200 Main St., Rison; phone 870-536-0046. LIHEAP never charges a fee to apply.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) county office for Jefferson County is at 912 S. Poplar, Pine Bluff, AR 71611. It is open Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Phone: 870-534-4200. You can apply in person at a county office, or online, by mail or by phone, for SNAP food help, Medicaid and other health care programs, and TEA cash help. Online applications go through Access.Arkansas.gov. To get Medicaid help paying for nursing home care, send the application and needed documents to your local county office. To apply for programs that help seniors and adults with physical disabilities stay at home, such as ARChoices in Home Care, Independent Choices and Living Choices Assisted Living, contact your local county office. To talk with a counselor about these options, call the Choices in Living Resource Center at 1-866-801-3435.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Jefferson Regional in Pine Bluff offers financial assistance to patients who cannot pay all or part of their hospital bill. If your total household income is under the Federal poverty amount, you pay nothing. A sliding scale from 101% up to 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines gives a partial discount; a family making three times the poverty level may get a 20% discount. People with insurance may get help with balances left after insurance pays, and uninsured patients who do not qualify by income may still get up to a 20% discount. Proof of income and assets is required. To start, call the Business Office patient representatives at 870-541-7964, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or pick up an application at 1600 W 40th Street, Pine Bluff.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

In this county: Charity care is set by the hospital's financial assistance policy; Jefferson Regional makes the final award decision.

Pine Bluff Transit runs city buses in Pine Bluff, Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. (no service on weekends). Senior citizens, riders with disabilities and Medicare recipients ride for half price with a free Discount ID card from Pine Bluff Transit; bring proof of age (62 or older), a Medicare card, proof of disability or proof of SSI eligibility. ADA paratransit gives origin-to-destination rides within three-quarters of a mile of the bus route for people whose disability keeps them from riding regular buses; eligibility starts with an application. For more information, call the Pine Bluff Transit ADA Coordinator at (870) 543-7130. Outside the city, Southeast Arkansas Transportation (SEAT), run by the Area Agency on Aging of Southeast Arkansas, offers door-to-door rural rides booked at least 48 hours ahead (870-543-6300).

Estimated service value: about $0 a year

In this county: Half-price fares need a Pine Bluff Transit Discount ID. Paratransit eligibility is decided by Pine Bluff Transit.