ARHOME (Arkansas Health and Opportunities for Me) is Arkansas's Medicaid expansion program covering adults ages 19 to 64 with incomes at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level. Arkansas adopted the ACA Medicaid expansion, so there is no coverage gap for low-income adults who meet both the income and immigration status requirements. Whether you qualify as an immigrant depends on two overlapping rules: the federal qualified-immigrant categories established under PRWORA 1996, and which of those categories are exempt from the five-year waiting period.
Arkansas does not expand coverage beyond the federal floor for immigrants using state-only funds, so the federal rules govern entirely. This guide covers who qualifies under ARHOME based on immigration status in 2026, the income limits by household size, how to apply, and what options exist if you do not qualify for full ARHOME coverage.
Direct Answer: Which Immigrants Qualify for ARHOME in 2026
Yes, qualified immigrants meeting ARHOME's income rules can enroll in ARHOME. Arkansas uses the federal definition of qualified immigrant, which requires a specific lawful immigration status and, for most categories, completion of a five-year waiting period. The income limit for ARHOME adults in 2026 is 138% of the Federal Poverty Level, $22,025/year for one person and $45,540 for a family of four. No asset test applies.
Federal Qualified Immigrant Categories: Who Qualifies and Who Does Not
Arkansas ARHOME follows the federal qualified immigrant definition established by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996. To qualify for full ARHOME coverage, you must fall into one of the following categories:
- Lawful permanent residents (LPRs, green card holders under INA section 101(a)(20)): subject to the five-year waiting period if granted LPR status on or after August 22, 1996, unless exempt (see below).
- Refugees admitted under INA section 207: exempt from the five-year bar; eligible immediately upon resettlement in Arkansas.
- Asylees granted status under INA section 208: exempt from the five-year bar; eligible immediately upon grant of asylum.
- Cuban/Haitian entrants under section 501(e) of the Refugee Education Assistance Act: exempt from the five-year bar.
- Parolees admitted under INA section 212(d)(5) for at least one year: subject to the five-year bar unless covered by a separate exemption.
- Victims of trafficking certified by HHS (and their derivatives): exempt from the five-year bar.
- VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) self-petitioners approved by USCIS: eligible as qualified immigrants; five-year bar applies unless otherwise exempt.
- Special immigrant juveniles (SIJ) with SIJ status granted by USCIS: exempt from the five-year bar.
- Afghan and Iraqi special immigrant visa (SIV) holders: exempt from the five-year bar.
- LPRs with 40 quarters of work credited under Social Security: exempt from the five-year bar.
ARHOME Arkansas 2026: Immigrant Category Eligibility at a Glance| Immigration Category | Qualifies for ARHOME | Five-Year Bar Applies |
|---|
| Lawful Permanent Resident (green card) | Yes, after waiting period | Yes (if entry on/after 8/22/1996) |
| Refugee (INA section 207) | Yes, immediately | No (exempt) |
| Asylee (INA section 208) | Yes, immediately | No (exempt) |
| Cuban/Haitian Entrant | Yes, immediately | No (exempt) |
| Victim of Trafficking (HHS certified) | Yes, immediately | No (exempt) |
| VAWA self-petitioner | Yes, with five-year bar in most cases | Yes (exceptions apply) |
| Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) | Yes, immediately | No (exempt) |
| DACA recipient | No (excluded by federal rule) | N/A |
| Temporary Protected Status (TPS) | No (not a qualified immigrant category) | N/A |
| Undocumented (no lawful status) | No (Emergency Medicaid only) | N/A |
Source: PRWORA 1996 (P.L. 104-193); CMS Medicaid eligibility guidance; medicaid.gov noncitizen eligibility overview. Beginning October 1, 2026, federal rules further restrict which immigration categories are eligible for federal Medicaid funding.
Source: CMS Medicaid Noncitizen Eligibility Overview (medicaid.gov); PRWORA 1996; NILC Immigrant Eligibility Overview 2026
The Five-Year Bar: How It Works for Arkansas ARHOME
Arkansas ARHOME applies the federal five-year waiting period to most qualified immigrants who obtained their status on or after August 22, 1996. The bar means that even if your income is below 138% FPL and you hold a valid green card, you cannot enroll in ARHOME until five years have passed from the date on your green card (Form I-551). The five years are counted from the date of obtaining LPR status, not from the date of entry into the United States.
Arkansas does not use state-only funds to cover qualified immigrants during the five-year waiting period, unlike some states such as California (Medi-Cal) or New York. If you are a green card holder in the waiting period and your income falls below 138% FPL, you do not qualify for ARHOME coverage. However, Emergency Medicaid is available for life-threatening conditions regardless of immigration status or waiting-period position.
Emergency Medicaid for Immigrants Who Do Not Qualify for ARHOME
Arkansas provides Emergency Medicaid to individuals who would otherwise meet ARHOME income requirements but are excluded due to immigration status, including undocumented immigrants, DACA recipients, TPS holders, and green card holders still in the five-year waiting period. Emergency Medicaid covers treatment for medical conditions that would cause serious threat to the person's life or health if not treated, including labor and delivery. Arkansas also extends prenatal care to pregnant individuals regardless of immigration status as long as income criteria are met, through the Unborn Child Amendment to the state Medicaid plan.
Emergency Medicaid in Arkansas does not cover routine primary care, preventive care, prescriptions outside an emergency, dental care, or mental health care on an outpatient basis. For ongoing health needs, immigrants who do not qualify for ARHOME should explore community health centers (FQHCs), which offer sliding-fee services regardless of immigration status, and the ACA marketplace for lawfully present immigrants who are ineligible for Medicaid.
Is Arkansas an ARHOME Medicaid Expansion State?
Arkansas is a Medicaid expansion state. Arkansas adopted the ACA Medicaid expansion in 2014, using a unique premium assistance model called Arkansas Works, which later became ARHOME. Under ARHOME, Arkansas uses Medicaid funds to pay premiums for private Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) on the insurance marketplace rather than enrolling individuals in traditional Medicaid managed care plans. This means ARHOME beneficiaries receive private insurance, not the same card used by traditional Medicaid recipients.
Because Arkansas expanded Medicaid, adults ages 19 to 64 who meet the income test (at or below 138% FPL) and the immigration status requirements do not face an ACA coverage gap. If your income is above 138% FPL but below 400% FPL, and you are a lawfully present immigrant ineligible for ARHOME, you may qualify for subsidized marketplace coverage through the ACA. The ACA subsidy cliff returned in 2026 (enhanced premium tax credits that ran from 2021 through 2025 expired January 1, 2026), meaning Arkansans above 400% FPL now pay full unsubsidized premiums.
ARHOME 2026 Work and Community Engagement Requirement
Arkansas DHS launched a soft implementation of a community engagement and work requirement for ARHOME starting July 1, 2026. Full enforcement begins January 1, 2027. Under the requirement, most ARHOME enrollees ages 19 to 64 must work, volunteer, attend school, or participate in job training for at least 80 hours per month. No penalties apply during the soft-launch period (July 1 to December 31, 2026); DHS will begin automated tracking but will not suspend coverage for non-compliance until 2027.
Arkansas ARHOME exempts several categories from the work requirement, including pregnant and postpartum individuals, people with medical exemptions verified by a physician, veterans receiving service-connected disability benefits, full-time caregivers of a child under age 6 or a disabled family member, and students enrolled at least half-time. Immigrants on ARHOME are subject to the same work requirement rules as U.S. citizens unless they fall into an exempt category.
How to Appeal an ARHOME Denial
Arkansas DHS must send a written notice of denial explaining the specific reason. You have 90 days from the date of the notice to file an appeal. To appeal, submit a written request for a State Fair Hearing to Arkansas DHS. You may request that your application benefits continue while the appeal is pending (continuation of benefits), which is especially important if you were already enrolled and your coverage is being terminated. Legal Aid of Arkansas (arlawhelp.org) provides free legal assistance to Medicaid appellants with income at or below 200% FPL.
For denials based on immigration status, gather additional documentation of your status category before the hearing: your I-551 (green card) with the date issued, asylum approval notice (Form I-94 or I-730), refugee resettlement letter from the Office of Refugee Resettlement, or trafficking certification from HHS. The SAVE (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements) system used by DHS verifies status electronically, but errors occur; bringing original documents to the hearing is essential.
ARHOME Coverage: What the Program Covers for Enrolled Immigrants
ARHOME uses premium assistance to enroll eligible adults in private Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) offered through the Arkansas Insurance Marketplace. Once enrolled, ARHOME beneficiaries receive the QHP's full benefit package, which includes doctor visits, emergency care, hospitalization, preventive care, mental health and substance use treatment, laboratory and diagnostic imaging, prescription drugs, maternity care, and rehabilitation services. Dental and vision coverage depends on the specific QHP plan selected.
ARHOME was established through a Section 1115 Medicaid demonstration waiver and is administered by the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS). Cost-sharing is minimal for most enrollees; individuals with incomes above 100% FPL may have small premiums or copayments depending on the plan. Enrollees with incomes at or below 100% FPL pay no premiums.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an undocumented immigrant get ARHOME in Arkansas?
No. ARHOME requires a qualifying immigration status under federal law. Undocumented immigrants are not qualified immigrants and cannot enroll in ARHOME. Arkansas does provide Emergency Medicaid for life-threatening conditions regardless of immigration status, and Arkansas extends prenatal care to pregnant individuals regardless of immigration status as long as income criteria are met. For routine care, undocumented individuals may access Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), which charge fees on a sliding scale based on income.
I have a green card. Do I qualify for ARHOME?
Yes, if you completed the five-year waiting period. Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) who obtained their LPR status on or after August 22, 1996, must wait five years from the date on their I-551 before qualifying for ARHOME. If you got your green card before August 22, 1996, no waiting period applies. Once the five years are complete, your income must still be at or below 138% FPL ($22,025/year for one person in 2026). Spouses and children of LPRs who are also LPRs follow the same rule.
Does the five-year bar apply to refugees and asylees in Arkansas?
No. Refugees admitted under INA section 207 and asylees granted status under INA section 208 are exempt from the five-year waiting period and can enroll in ARHOME immediately upon arrival in Arkansas, provided their income is at or below 138% FPL. The exemption lasts for the duration of their refugee or asylee status. Note that once a refugee or asylee adjusts to lawful permanent resident status, the LPR five-year bar does NOT restart.
Can a DACA recipient get Arkansas Medicaid or ARHOME?
No. DACA recipients are explicitly excluded from federal Medicaid under current federal rules. While DACA grants a form of deferred action, the federal government has determined that DACA recipients are not qualified immigrants for purposes of federal benefit programs. DACA recipients are not eligible for ARHOME. DACA recipients in Arkansas who need health coverage may apply for ACA marketplace plans through HealthCare.gov, where they are eligible for coverage (but not premium tax credits as of 2026).
What is the ARHOME income limit for a family of four in 2026?
The 2026 ARHOME income limit for a family of four is $45,540/year ($3,795/month), which equals 138% of the 2026 Federal Poverty Level. This applies to ARHOME expansion adults ages 19 to 64. Children in the household may qualify under ARKids First at higher income thresholds regardless of the adult eligibility outcome. ARHOME has no asset limit; only income counts.
What immigration documents do I need to apply for ARHOME in Arkansas?
Arkansas DHS verifies immigration status through the federal SAVE system. You should bring your green card (I-551) showing the date issued, asylum approval notice or I-94, refugee resettlement letter from the Office of Refugee Resettlement, Employment Authorization Document (I-766/EAD), or whichever document corresponds to your status category. If DHS cannot verify your status through SAVE, you may need to provide additional documentation. Missing immigration documents are a leading reason for application delays.
Does Arkansas cover immigrants during the five-year waiting period using state funds?
No. Arkansas does not use state-only funds to cover qualified immigrants during the five-year bar period. This contrasts with states like California (Medi-Cal), New York, or Illinois, which use their own funds to cover immigrants in the waiting period. In Arkansas, if you are in the five-year bar, your only Medicaid option is Emergency Medicaid for qualifying emergencies, or prenatal care if you are pregnant.
Can immigrant children get ARKids First if they do not qualify for ARHOME?
Yes, with conditions. Children who are qualified immigrants and meet ARKids First income thresholds (up to 211% FPL for children ages 1 to 18) may qualify. The five-year bar can apply to immigrant children, but states have the option to waive it for children. Arkansas has not adopted the full waiver for qualified immigrant children, so some children in the five-year waiting period may be denied. Emergency Medicaid and prenatal care rules still protect immigrant children and pregnant individuals in most circumstances.
