Legal Aid of Arkansas
Last updated August 2026
Free civil legal help in Arkansas comes from two nonprofit firms that together cover the state: Legal Aid of Arkansas serves the northern and eastern counties, and the Center for Arkansas Legal Services serves the central and southern counties. Apply by calling the statewide intake hotline at 1-800-952-9243, or complete the online application if you meet the guidelines.
Read this warning carefully, because Arkansas is unusual. In addition to the normal civil unlawful-detainer process, Arkansas still allows a criminal failure-to-vacate eviction, meaning a tenant can face criminal charges for staying. That makes getting legal help quickly more important here than in most states.
The programs prioritize the cases that keep a family stable: landlord-tenant disputes and evictions, orders of protection and domestic abuse, guardianships and wills, consumer and debt problems, employment, and public benefits like Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, and subsidized housing.
Eligibility is income-based. As federally funded programs, applicants must have income and assets below set limits based on the federal poverty guidelines, so if money is tight, apply rather than assume you earn too much.
There is a dedicated line for one common problem. For housing discrimination, a statewide fair-housing helpline is available at 1-870-338-9834.
Move fast and stack help. Call the intake hotline the day an eviction notice or court paper arrives, and dial 2-1-1 for local rent funds that can clear the balance before a case escalates.
Phone 1-800-952-9243
Help available in English and Spanish.
Updated August 2026 Program details can change — confirm with the program directly.
Who qualifies
- Low-income Arkansas residents with a civil, noncriminal legal problem; income and asset limits follow the federal poverty guidelines
- The statewide Fair Housing help line at 1-870-338-9834 takes housing discrimination cases from anywhere in Arkansas
You may qualify. The program makes the final decision.
How to apply
- 1
Call the statewide intake hotline at 1-800-952-9243, or apply online.
- 2
If you face eviction, get help quickly; Arkansas allows criminal failure-to-vacate charges.
- 3
For housing discrimination, call the fair-housing helpline at 1-870-338-9834.
- 4
Dial 2-1-1 for local rent funds that can clear the balance.
What the application looks like
Common questions
How do I get free legal help in Arkansas?
Call the statewide intake hotline at 1-800-952-9243. Legal Aid of Arkansas covers the north and east; the Center for Arkansas Legal Services covers the central and south.
Why should I act fast on an eviction?
Arkansas is unusual in allowing a criminal failure-to-vacate eviction in addition to the civil process, so a tenant can face criminal charges for staying. Get legal help quickly.
What kinds of cases do they handle?
Eviction and landlord-tenant, domestic abuse and protection orders, guardianships and wills, consumer and debt, employment, and public benefits.
Is there help for housing discrimination?
Yes. A statewide fair-housing helpline is available at 1-870-338-9834.
Not sure this is the right program for your situation?
See all Arkansas programs →Free · Private · No account needed