ARHOME Income Limits (Arkansas Medicaid, 2026)

ARHOME covers approximately 240,000 Arkansans in 2026 and stands as one of the most distinctive Medicaid expansion programs in the country. Arkansas expanded Medicaid on January 1, 2014, under the Affordable Care Act, but chose a model unlike any other state: instead of enrolling newly eligible adults in traditional government-managed Medicaid, Arkansas uses Medicaid dollars to purchase private health insurance plans on the state marketplace. Enrollees receive coverage from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas or Ambetter, carry a private insurance card, and access private provider networks. This Private Option structure began in 2014, was renamed Arkansas Works, and became ARHOME on January 1, 2022, under a federal Section 1115 waiver. The 2026 Federal Poverty Level, $15,960 for a single person in the 48 contiguous states, sets the income threshold for ARHOME and every other Arkansas Medicaid program discussed below.

Arkansas Medicaid eligibility divides into four main population groups in 2026. ARHOME covers adults ages 19 to 64 at up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level ($22,025 per year for a single adult). ARKids First covers children under 19 in two tiers: ARKids A, free Medicaid coverage up to 142% FPL, and ARKids B, Arkansas's CHIP program with small copays up to 211% FPL (about $69,630 per year for a family of four). Pregnancy Medicaid covers pregnant women up to 209% FPL with 12 months of postpartum coverage. Seniors and people with disabilities qualify through SSI-related categories with a $2,000 individual asset test and a separate income limit tied to SSI rates. For adults whose income falls between 100% and 400% FPL and who do not qualify for ARHOME, ACA marketplace plans through Healthcare.gov offer subsidized private coverage.

The household-size table below shows the 2026 ARHOME and Arkansas Medicaid income limits across the three MAGI-based coverage populations. ARHOME operates under a Section 1115 waiver approved through December 31, 2026; renewal discussions are underway for 2027. Community engagement requirements for ARHOME, included in federal legislation in 2025, began automated tracking as of July 1, 2026, which may affect some ARHOME enrollees going forward. If your income exceeds the ARHOME adult limit, check the ACA marketplace at healthcare.gov for subsidized plans. If your child's family income exceeds ARKids B, no additional state-administered children's coverage exists above 211% FPL in Arkansas. If you are 65 or older with limited income, see the Medicare Savings Programs section below.

ARHOME (Arkansas Health and Opportunity for Me) income limits by household size (2026)

The 2026 ARHOME (Arkansas Medicaid) income guidelines below are based on the 2026 Federal Poverty Level for the 48 contiguous states. Adult column = ARHOME expansion group (138% FPL, adults ages 19-64 with or without dependent children). Children column = ARKids B CHIP ceiling (211% FPL; ARKids A Medicaid covers children free up to 142% FPL). Pregnancy column = Arkansas Pregnancy Medicaid (209% FPL, includes 12 months of postpartum coverage). Add roughly $5,680 of annual income per additional household member.

ARHOME (Arkansas Health and Opportunity for Me) eligibility requirements (non-income)

Beyond income, ARHOME and Arkansas Medicaid applicants must meet non-income requirements. The MAGI categories (ARHOME adults, ARKids, pregnancy) have no asset test. The SSI-related categories (seniors, people with disabilities) do have an asset test. The items below apply across the main MAGI populations that handle the vast majority of Arkansas Medicaid applications.

• Arkansas residency: applicant must currently live in Arkansas with the intent to remain. There is no minimum length-of-residence requirement for any Medicaid category.
• U.S. citizenship or qualifying immigration status: U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (after the federal 5-year bar in most cases), refugees, asylees, and certain other humanitarian immigrants qualify. Pregnant women and children under 21 are exempt from the 5-year bar under federal CHIPRA. Undocumented adults do not qualify for full ARHOME or regular Arkansas Medicaid but may receive emergency Medicaid for life-threatening conditions including labor and delivery.
• Social Security Number: required for the applicant and each household member applying for coverage. An SSN is not required if applying only for emergency Medicaid.
• Age requirement for ARHOME: adults ages 19 to 64. Children up to age 18 are covered under ARKids First (Medicaid or CHIP). Adults 65 and older are covered through Medicare and, for low-income seniors, Medicare Savings Programs administered by Arkansas DHS.
• Asset test: NOT applied for MAGI categories including ARHOME adults, ARKids First children, and pregnant women. Asset test IS applied for SSI-related Medicaid categories: generally $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple, with the primary home, one vehicle, and certain burial accounts excluded.
• Community engagement: ARHOME is subject to federal community engagement requirements as of 2026 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Automated tracking began July 1, 2026. Most enrollees who work, attend school, care for a dependent, or meet a health or disability exemption are not affected. Non-compliant enrollees may lose ARHOME coverage but retain the right to appeal.
• Other coverage: ARHOME applicants are not required to be uninsured, but ARHOME coordinates as the payer of last resort. Workers with access to affordable employer-sponsored insurance meeting minimum value standards may be deemed ineligible for ARHOME under federal rules.

What income counts for ARHOME (Arkansas Health and Opportunity for Me)

ARHOME and Arkansas Medicaid use Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) rules for adults, children, and pregnant women, anchored to the household's projected annual income on the federal tax return. MAGI is the same income definition used for ACA marketplace tax credits, which makes it straightforward to compare ARHOME eligibility to marketplace plan eligibility. SSI-related Medicaid categories for aged and disabled Arkansans use SSI countable-income rules instead. The federal 5% disregard applies to ARHOME, which means the published 138% FPL threshold effectively operates at approximately 143% FPL in practice.

Income sources included

• Wages, salaries, tips, and overtime pay (gross amount, before payroll taxes are withheld)
• Net self-employment earnings and gig-economy income reported on Form 1099 (gross earnings minus allowable business expenses)
• Social Security retirement and SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) benefits: the taxable portion counts toward MAGI (note: SSI, which is a separate program, is excluded)
• Unemployment compensation (all states including Arkansas count these as MAGI income)
• Pensions, annuities, 401(k) and IRA withdrawals, and other retirement-account distributions
• Alimony received under divorce or separation agreements finalized before January 1, 2019 (post-2018 alimony agreements are not deductible by the payer and therefore not counted as income for the recipient under TCJA rules)
• Rental income, interest, dividends, and capital gains (net rental income after allowable property expenses)
• Foreign earned income (even if excluded from federal income tax under IRC 911, it counts for Medicaid MAGI purposes)

Income sources excluded

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments: SSI is excluded from MAGI by federal statute
• Child support received: not counted as income for MAGI Medicaid regardless of amount
• Federal tax refunds and refundable credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit
• Veterans Affairs disability compensation, GI Bill education benefits, and most VA pension payments
• SNAP (food assistance) benefits, TANF cash assistance, and other means-tested program payments
• Loans, gifts, and one-time inheritances (not counted for MAGI; note that large inheritances or lump sums may affect asset tests for SSI-related categories)
• Workers' compensation payments

How to apply for ARHOME (Arkansas Health and Opportunity for Me) in Arkansas

ARHOME and most Arkansas Medicaid programs are applied for through Access Arkansas, the statewide online benefits portal at access.arkansas.gov, operated by the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS). The same application covers ARHOME, ARKids First (Medicaid and CHIP for children), Pregnancy Medicaid, SNAP food assistance, and TEA cash assistance. Applications can also be submitted by phone at 1-800-482-8988 (main DHS line) or 1-855-372-1084 (ARHOME enrollment line) or in person at any of Arkansas's 75 county DHS offices.

1. 1. Gather your documents: photo ID for the head of household, Social Security numbers for every person applying, proof of Arkansas residency (utility bill or lease), proof of citizenship or immigration status, and the most recent month of pay stubs or self-employment income records.
2. 2. Create an account at access.arkansas.gov or call 1-855-372-1084 to begin an ARHOME application by phone. The online portal is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
3. 3. Complete the application: list every household member, report all income sources and amounts for the past 30 days, and upload or mail the supporting documents. The system will screen your application for ARHOME, ARKids First, Pregnancy Medicaid, SNAP, and TEA in a single pass.
4. 4. Sign the application electronically (or by hand if submitting by mail or in person). DHS sends a confirmation number by text or email; save it for tracking status at access.arkansas.gov.
5. 5. Respond promptly to any DHS requests for additional information. DHS typically sends a notice if documents are missing; failure to respond within the specified window is the most common reason ARHOME applications are denied.
6. 6. Wait for the eligibility determination notice. DHS has up to 45 days to process Medicaid applications under federal rules. Pregnancy applications are decided in 15 days under federal expedited rules. Once approved for ARHOME, you will choose between Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas or Ambetter plans in your county.

Official portal: access.arkansas.gov

Documents needed

• Photo ID for the head of household (Arkansas driver's license, state ID, passport, or tribal ID)
• Social Security Numbers or cards for every household member applying for coverage
• Proof of Arkansas residency (utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or official mail with your name and Arkansas address)
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or qualifying immigration status (birth certificate, U.S. passport, permanent resident card, refugee or asylee documentation)
• Last 30 days of pay stubs (or 12 months of income records for self-employment or 1099 income)
• Most recent federal income tax return if self-employed, or signed statement confirming no tax return was filed
• Proof of pregnancy from a licensed healthcare provider, if applying for Arkansas Pregnancy Medicaid
• For aged or disabled applicants: bank statements, vehicle titles, life insurance policies, and any disability determination documentation (SSI award letter, SSDI notice, or DHS medical review)

Processing timeline: DHS processes standard ARHOME and Medicaid applications within 45 days of receipt. Pregnancy Medicaid applications are decided within 15 days under federal expedited-processing rules; presumptive eligibility from a qualified entity (such as a Federally Qualified Health Center) can start prenatal coverage the same day. Disability-based Medicaid applications can take 60 to 90 days because they require a medical determination from the DHS Disability Determination Unit.

Common reasons applications get denied

• Income above the program-specific threshold: for ARHOME, MAGI over 138% FPL (approximately 143% with the 5% disregard) is the most common reason adults are denied.
• Failure to respond to a DHS request for additional documents within the stated deadline, which results in an administrative denial.
• Failure to verify Arkansas residency, citizenship, or immigration status (missing documents or documents that do not match the application).
• Age outside the ARHOME range: adults under 19 are redirected to ARKids First; adults 65 and older are redirected to SSI-related Medicaid or Medicare Savings Programs.
• Non-compliance with ARHOME community engagement requirements (effective July 1, 2026) for enrollees who do not qualify for an exemption and do not report qualifying activities.

If your child's family income is over the ARKids First Medicaid limit, ARKids B (Arkansas CHIP)

ARKids B is Arkansas's Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), administered by DHS as the upper tier of ARKids First. ARKids B covers children under age 19 in households with income between 142% and 211% of the Federal Poverty Level, about $57,645 per year for a family of three or $69,630 per year for a family of four in 2026. ARKids B enrollees pay small copayments for some services but otherwise receive the same comprehensive benefits as ARKids A: well-child checkups, dental, vision, prescriptions, mental health services, and hospital care. There are no monthly premiums for ARKids B in 2026. Apply through the same access.arkansas.gov portal; the system routes children to the correct ARKids tier automatically based on household income.

Compare CHIP and Medicaid income limits across all 50 states

If you are 65 or older with limited income in Arkansas, Medicare Savings Programs

Arkansas DHS runs three Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) for low-income Medicare beneficiaries: Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) for individuals with income up to 100% FPL (about $1,235 per month in 2026), which pays Medicare Parts A and B premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance; Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) for individuals with income up to 120% FPL (about $1,478 per month), which pays Part B premiums only; and Qualifying Individual (QI) for individuals with income up to 135% FPL (about $1,660 per month), which also pays Part B premiums. All three MSPs have an asset limit of approximately $9,090 for a single person and $13,630 for a couple in 2026. Enrollment in any MSP automatically qualifies the beneficiary for Extra Help (the Low-Income Subsidy) for Medicare Part D prescription drug costs. Apply at access.arkansas.gov or call 1-800-482-8988. Dual-eligible beneficiaries who qualify for both Medicare and full Medicaid (including SSI-related Medicaid) may also qualify for Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs).

Read the Medicare eligibility guide

Frequently Asked Questions