Senior benefits in St. Francis County, Arkansas
If you or a loved one lives in St. Francis County, Arkansas, several programs may help with everyday costs and care. A good first stop is the East Arkansas Area Agency on Aging, which offers Area Agency on Aging services for older adults in the county. The Arkansas DHS county office for St. Francis County can help you with questions about state benefits. Locally, the Indigent Care Program at Forrest City Medical Center may help with hospital costs. LIHEAP energy assistance through Crowley's Ridge Development Council may help with energy bills. North East Arkansas Transit (NEAT) offers rides. Arkansas also has state programs for health care, home care, food, property taxes, and free Medicare counseling through AR SHIIP. Federal programs may apply too. The page below lists each program with its official source and the date it was last verified. Keep in mind that the agency that runs each program makes the final decision on whether you qualify.
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Local programs
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Arkansas programs
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Federal programs
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Categories
Last verified · October 6, 2026
Local starting point
East Arkansas Area Agency on Aging (EAAAA)
1-800-467-3278
See which of these St. Francis County programs you may qualify for.
Discover my benefitsHelping others? Print the St. Francis County benefits checklist — free to hand out.
When benefit rules change, it’s tracked here
Income limits, new requirements, how to apply — see what’s changed across senior benefit programs, from the official source in plain English.
Programs run in St. Francis County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving St. Francis County. Start here.
Elder Services in St. Francis County
Programs here typically provide services worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging services (East Arkansas Area Agency on Aging) — St. Francis
County · ArkansasThe East Arkansas Area Agency on Aging (EAAAA) in Jonesboro serves St. Francis 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
Energy Assistance in St. Francis County
LIHEAP energy assistance (Crowley's Ridge Development Council) — St. Francis
County · ArkansasThe Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps eligible households pay utility bills. In St. Francis County, Crowley's Ridge Development Council (CRDC) takes LIHEAP applications. Regular Assistance is a one-time payment per household per program season, and Crisis Assistance helps when a shut-off is near or service is already cut off. Payments generally go straight to the utility. Apply in person at the St. Francis County office, 1700 Newcastle, Forrest City, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30–11:30 and 1:00–3:00, or call 870-630-0193.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
General Assistance in St. Francis County
Arkansas DHS county office — St. Francis
County · ArkansasThe Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of County Operations serves St. Francis County at the St. Francis County office at 1200 East Broadway, Forrest City (phone 870-633-1242). 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
Healthcare in St. Francis County
Indigent Care Program (Forrest City Medical Center) — St. Francis
County · ArkansasForrest City Medical Center has an Indigent Care Program to help St. Francis County residents with outstanding hospital balances that built up within the past year. If you live in St. Francis County and want to apply for indigent assistance, call a financial counselor at 870-261-0493 or 870-261-0495.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in St. Francis County
Programs here typically provide services worth $100–$1,000 a year to an eligible household.
North East Arkansas Transit (NEAT) — St. Francis
County · ArkansasNorth East Arkansas Transit (NEAT), run by Crowley's Ridge Development Council, provides affordable rural transportation in St. Francis County and other Northeast Arkansas counties. Rides can be for shopping, medical visits, socialization, 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. To schedule, call (870) 802-7105 or 1 (866) 336-3691.
Estimated service value: $100–$1,000 a year
Local agencies serving St. Francis County
Who runs the county programs above, and how to reach them. Every line comes from a program record on this page — nothing is added that the catalog does not cite.
Crowley's Ridge Development Council (CRDC)
Runs: LIHEAP energy assistance (Crowley's Ridge Development Council)
Arkansas Department of Human Services
Forrest City Medical Center
East Arkansas Area Agency on Aging (EAAAA)
Runs: Area Agency on Aging services (East Arkansas Area Agency on Aging)
Crowley's Ridge Development Council
Arkansas and federal programs
Open to eligible households in St. Francis County and across the rest of Arkansas. Full details are on the Arkansas benefits page.
Money & income2 programs
Cash paid to you, and emergency help when money runs short.
Health & Medicare costs8 programs
Medicaid, Medicare savings, and help with drug and doctor bills.
- Medicare Savings Programs in Arkansas (QMB, SMB, QI-1)
- Arkansas Medicaid (Health Care) for people who are aged, blind, or disabled (AABD)
- AR SHIIP (Senior Health Insurance Information Program), Arkansas's SHIP for free Medicare counseling
- Extra Help (Part D Low-Income Subsidy)
- Qualifying Individual (QI)
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
Food6 programs
SNAP (food stamps), meals, and farmers market coupons.
Home, bills & taxes9 programs
Help with heating and electric bills, rent, property taxes, and home repairs.
- Arkansas LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program)
- Arkansas property tax assessment freeze for homeowners 65 or older or disabled (Amendment 79)
- Arkansas Homestead Property Tax Credit
- Arkansas income tax: $6,000 retirement income exemption and Social Security exemption
- Federal Lifeline
- Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
- Federal Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled (IRS Schedule R)
- Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)
- HUD Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly
Care at home & long-term care5 programs
Help staying in your home, nursing home alternatives, and support for family caregivers.
- ARChoices in Homecare (Medicaid home and community-based waiver)
- Living Choices Assisted Living (Arkansas Medicaid waiver)
- Arkansas Family Caregiver Support Program (through the Area Agencies on Aging)
- PACE — Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly
- National Family Caregiver Support Program (OAA Title III-E)
Help, advice & legal3 programs
Free counseling, legal help, rides, and other senior services.
Veterans3 programs
Benefits for veterans and their surviving spouses.
Nearby counties
Local programs differ from one county to the next. If you live near a county line, or you are helping a parent who lives in one of these, it is worth checking there too.
Not legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.