Arkansas 211
Last updated August 2026
When you do not know which Arkansas program to call, dial 2-1-1. It is a free, confidential service that connects you to expert help and community resources. You reach it by dialing 2-1-1 by phone, and it can also be reached by text and web chat, or by searching your local 211 online.
The referrals cover the needs that pile up together: housing and utilities, food programs, healthcare, mental health, substance-use support, caregiver resources, and disaster recovery.
The 211 network connects you to local community organizations in your area. Nationally, 211 made more than 19 million referrals in 2025, including 9.1 million for housing, homelessness, and utility bills. Live call-center coverage can vary by part of the state, so if a phone call does not connect, use the online search or text option.
It is open to anyone at no cost, with no income test. It is an information and referral service, not a benefit you apply for.
Know what 211 is and is not. It refers; it does not pay bills itself. The value is knowing which local agencies and funds near you have money or open intake right now, which changes month to month.
Pair 211 with the statewide front doors: access.arkansas.gov for SNAP, cash, and Medicaid, and the legal aid intake hotline at 1-800-952-9243 for housing help. For a suicidal or mental health crisis, call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, any hour.
Phone 1-866-489-6983
Help available in English and Spanish.
Updated August 2026 Program details can change — confirm with the program directly.
Who qualifies
- Available around the clock; dial 2-1-1, call 1-866-489-6983, or text your zip code to 898211
- Live coverage currently centers on Benton, Madison, and Washington counties, so callers elsewhere in Arkansas may be pointed to other help lines
You may qualify. The program makes the final decision.
How to apply
- 1
Dial 2-1-1 from any Arkansas phone.
- 2
Give your zip code and a one-sentence version of what you need.
- 3
Write down each referral's name, number, and hours.
- 4
Call the referrals quickly, since local funds open and close all the time.
What the application looks like
Common questions
Is Arkansas 211 free?
Yes, free and confidential, with no income test. Dial 2-1-1 by phone, or reach it by text or web chat.
What can 211 help with?
Housing and utilities, food, healthcare, mental health, substance-use support, caregiver resources, and disaster recovery.
Can 211 pay my rent or utility bill?
No. It is a referral service, not a benefit you apply for. It connects you to the local agencies and funds that can help.
What if my crisis is a mental health emergency?
Call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, any hour. Keep 2-1-1 for food, housing, and utility help.
Not sure this is the right program for your situation?
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