Charleston
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Local offices in Charleston
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Local office · Regional office
Arkansas 211
Help here
- Community resource referralsCall 211 for help finding local food, housing, utility, child care, and other community services.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on arkansas211.org
Utilities · City office
Charleston Water & Sewer
1418 E Main St, Charleston, AR 72933
Help here
- Water and sewer service and billingVisit City Hall to start water or sewer service, or get help with your utility account and bill.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on charlestonar.gov
Local office · City office
Charleston City Hall
1418 E Main St, Charleston, AR 72933
Help here
- City services and administrationVisit or call City Hall for help with city services and the mayor's and city clerk's offices.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on charlestonar.gov
State office
Charleston Revenue Office
Franklin County Courthouse, 607 E Main St, Charleston, AR 72933
Help here
- Driver license or state IDVisit for in-person help with a driver license or state ID.
- Vehicle and revenue servicesVisit for help with vehicle services handled by the revenue office.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on dfa.arkansas.gov
Library · Regional office
Charleston Public Library
12 S School St, Charleston, AR 72933
Help here
- Library resources and programsVisit for books, public computers, Wi-Fi, printing, and programs for children and adults.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on arvrls.com
Parks and recreation · City office
Charleston Community Center
311 Freedom Rd, Charleston, AR 72933
Help here
- Community center rentalsAsk City Hall about reserving the community center's meeting room, exhibition hall, or kitchen.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on charlestonar.gov
City of Charleston, Arkansas website
Checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Charleston
Each one serves this area. Call before you go, since services and hours change.
Food bank
Food banks supply the food pantries and meal sites near you. Call or check the website to find one close by.
Nonprofit
River Valley Regional Food Bank
1617 South Zero Street, Ft. Smith, AR 72901
Listed on feedingamerica.org, checked on October 10, 2026
Free legal help
Free help with civil legal problems, like eviction, benefits and family law, for people with low incomes. Funded by the Legal Services Corporation.
Nonprofit
Legal Aid of Arkansas, Inc.
Listed on lsc.gov, checked on October 10, 2026
Community action
Local nonprofits that help people with low incomes. Many help with energy bills, rent, jobs and taxes. Call to ask what they offer now.
Nonprofit
Arkansas River Valley Area Council, Inc.
227 SR 333, Russellville, AR 72802
Listed on humanservices.arkansas.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Job help near Charleston
American Job Centers are free. They help you look for work, write a resume, find training and apply for unemployment benefits. You can ask for an interpreter.
CareerOneStop lists no American Job Center in Charleston. These are the closest.
American Job Center
Arkansas Workforce Center at Fort Smith
Also helps young people and people leaving jail or prison
22 miles away
616 Garrison Ave, Suite 101, PO Box 1987, Fort Smith, AR 72901
Hours: 8-4:30 M-F
Updated by CareerOneStop on March 20, 2026
American Job Center
Arkansas Workforce Center at Russellville
Also helps young people and people leaving jail or prison
53 miles away
104 S. Rochester Avenue, Russellville, AR 72801
Hours: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday to Friday
Updated by CareerOneStop on April 1, 2026
American Job Center · Affiliate center
Arkansas Workforce Center at Fayetteville
Also helps young people
57 miles away
2153 East Joyce Boulevard, Suite 201, Fayetteville, AR 72701
Hours: 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday - Friday
Updated by CareerOneStop on September 8, 2026
Unemployment benefits in Arkansas
If you lost your job or your hours were cut, you may be able to get unemployment insurance. You apply with the state, and the state decides who qualifies.
Workforce board for this area
The workforce board plans the job and training programs here and funds the job centers. Go to a job center for help; call the board with questions about its programs.
Workforce board
Western Arkansas Workforce Investment Area
1109 S 16th Street, Ft. Smith, AR 72901
Workforce board
Arkansas Workforce Development Board
PO Box 2981, Two Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR (72201), Little Rock, AR 72203
Job center and program listings from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Checked on October 10, 2026.
Offices for all of Franklin County
Charleston is in Franklin County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
State office
Arkansas Department of Human Services Franklin County Office
800 W. Commercial Street, Ozark, AR 72949
Help here
- DHS benefits and servicesVisit or contact this office for help applying for Arkansas Department of Human Services programs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on humanservices.arkansas.gov
Local office · Regional office
Arkansas 211
Help here
- Local resource referralsCall 211 to get connected with local help for food, housing, bills, health care, and other needs.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on arkansas211.org
Community action · Nonprofit
Southeast Arkansas Community Action Corporation
1208 N Myrtle Street, Warren, AR 71671
Help here
- Community action servicesContact the community action agency serving Franklin County to ask about available help for local residents.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on acaaa.org
Public health · State office
Franklin County Health Unit
509 North 29th Street, Ozark, AR 72949
Help here
- Public health servicesContact the health unit about local public health programs and services.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on healthy.arkansas.gov
Older adults · Regional office
Area Agency on Aging of Western Arkansas
3600 Wheeler Avenue, Suite 2, Fort Smith, AR 72902
Help here
- Aging servicesGet help finding services such as transportation, meals, caregiver support, and help staying independent.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on agingwest.org
Emergency help · County office
Franklin County Office of Emergency Management
211 West Commercial Street, Suite 8, Ozark, AR 72949
Help here
- Emergency preparedness and alertsGet information about local emergency preparedness, disaster response, and county alerts.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on fcoem.org
Arkansas programs by kind of help
These are run by Arkansas and work the same everywhere in the state. Each page lists the programs and how to apply.
- FoodFood benefits, WIC, school meals and food banks.
- HousingRent help, shelter, and help with heat and power bills.
- HealthHealth coverage, Medicare, mental health care and help with drug costs.
- MoneyCash help, disability, retirement and veterans payments, and tax help.
- CareChild care, help for older adults and disability support.
- EducationHelp paying for college and training, and free preschool.
- WorkJobs, unemployment, and the IDs and papers you need for work.
- Legal helpFree legal help with eviction, family law, benefits and more.
- SafetyHelp with abuse at home, a safe place to stay, and crisis lines.
Checked on October 8, 2026
Federal help anyone can use
These come from the federal government, so they work the same in every state.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people with little income and few resources who are 65 or older, blind, or have a disability, including children.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes and now cannot work because of a disability that will last a long time.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Social Security retirement benefits
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes, starting as early as 62. Spouses and widows may also get benefits.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Medicare
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Health insurance for people 65 or older and for some younger people with a disability or kidney failure.
Call 1-800-633-4227 - Extra Help with Medicare drug costs
Social Security Administration. Help paying for Medicare prescription drug plans for people with limited income and resources.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - VA health care
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Health care at VA clinics and hospitals for veterans who served in the active military and did not get a dishonorable discharge.
Call 1-877-222-8387 - VA disability compensation and benefits
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Monthly payments for veterans with an illness or injury caused or made worse by military service, plus education, home loan and other benefits.
Call 1-800-827-1000 - FAFSA, the federal student aid form
U.S. Department of Education. One free form that opens federal grants, work-study and loans for college or trade school. Many states and schools use it for their own aid too.
Call 1-800-433-3243 - Federal Pell Grant
U.S. Department of Education. Money for college or trade school that usually does not have to be paid back, for students with financial need.
Call 1-800-433-3243 - HealthCare.gov
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The federal marketplace for health insurance plans. Many people can get lower monthly costs based on their income.
Call 1-800-318-2596 - Lifeline phone and internet discount
Federal Communications Commission. A monthly discount on phone or internet service for households with low income or who get benefits like SNAP, Medicaid or SSI.
Call 1-800-234-9473 - Head Start and Early Head Start
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Free preschool, child care and family support for young children from birth to age 5 in families with low income, run by local programs.
Call 1-866-763-6481 - IRS Free File
Internal Revenue Service. File your federal tax return online for free with tax software offered through the IRS, if your income is under the year's limit.
- VITA and TCE free tax help
Internal Revenue Service. IRS-certified volunteers prepare and file your taxes for free, in person, for people with low or moderate income, older adults and people with disabilities.
Call 1-800-906-9887 - Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
Internal Revenue Service. A federal tax credit for people who work and earn low to moderate income. It can mean a bigger refund, even if you owe no tax.
Call 1-800-829-1040 - Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Help paying rent in a home you choose, for families with very low income, older adults and people with disabilities. Local housing authorities run it, and many have waiting lists.
- Replace a Social Security card
Social Security Administration. Get a free replacement Social Security card if yours was lost, stolen or damaged. Many people can ask online.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - FEMA disaster assistance
Federal Emergency Management Agency. Help with a place to stay, repairs and other needs after a disaster the President has declared in your area.
Call 1-800-621-3362
Checked on October 9, 2026
Talk to a person
- Arkansas 211
Free help finding food, housing, bills and more near you.
Call 211 - 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 if you are in crisis or worried about someone. Any time.
Call 988Text 988