Senior benefits in Randolph County, Arkansas

The East Arkansas Area Agency on Aging (EAAAA) in Jonesboro serves Randolph County and 11 other counties in Northeast Arkansas. Its senior services include care coordinators who help plan care, home care services, home care for veterans, private-pay care, wellness programs, senior centers, an ombudsman for people in long-term care, and personal emergency response systems (PERS). Its Family Caregiver Support Program offers respite, support groups, training, family mediation and legal assistance. Call 800-467-3278, Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

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

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) from Black River Area Development Corp. (BRAD) serves Randolph, Clay and Lawrence counties. It helps eligible households keep their homes warm in the winter and cool in the summer, with Regular Assistance and Crisis Intervention. You must live in the county, meet income guidelines and pay for heating or cooling. Winter heating help starts the first Monday after the New Year holiday, and summer cooling help starts the first Monday after July 4. In Randolph County, apply at BRAD Central Office, 1403 Hospital Dr., Pocahontas, on Mondays and Wednesdays, 8:30AM-11:30AM and 1PM-3PM, or call (870) 810-9521. Applications can also be emailed or mailed.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of County Operations serves Randolph County at the Randolph County office at 1408 Pace Road, Pocahontas (phone 870-892-4475). Offices are open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. DHS county offices process applications for Health Care (Medicaid), SNAP food help and TEA. You can also apply and manage your benefits online at Access.Arkansas.gov. For questions about a case, the Division of County Operations line is 501-682-8375 or 855-372-1084.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

St. Bernards Five Rivers Medical Center in Pocahontas, part of St. Bernards Healthcare, offers financial assistance to people who are uninsured, underinsured, not eligible for government programs, have low income, or otherwise cannot pay for medically necessary care. It is a Rural Emergency Hospital, which offers emergency and outpatient care but not inpatient stays. Download the financial assistance summary, policy (policy #1253) and application from the St. Bernards website, and mail the completed application to St. Bernards Five Rivers Medical Center Attn: Financial Assistance 2801 Medical Center Drive Pocahontas, AR 72455. For help, ask an admissions representative or call a financial counselor at 870.892.6000 or 870.892.6221.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

BRAD Public Transportation offers safe, affordable rides throughout Clay, Lawrence and Randolph counties, for work, medical appointments or errands. City routes run within and up to 5 miles outside the city limits of Pocahontas. County routes make scheduled trips to towns outside city limits. Everyone can ride; no income guidelines apply, and all buses are wheelchair accessible. City routes cost $2.00 per one-way trip, and county routes cost $10.00 per person. To schedule, call (870) 892-4547 or 1 (888) 723-4640 and press 0. For appointments, call at least one hour ahead; for county trips, call several days ahead.

Estimated service value: $100–$1,000 a year