Arkansas Medicaid income limits changed on April 1, 2026. A single adult can now earn up to $1,836 a month and still qualify for ARHOME coverage. A family of four can earn up to $3,795 a month.
These numbers come from yearly Federal Poverty Level (FPL) updates. Arkansas Medicaid is not one program. It has different income rules for adults, children, seniors, and pregnant women. Each group has its own dollar limit.
This guide breaks down every 2026 limit by category. You’ll also find asset rules, application steps, and answers to common questions.
Page Contents
- 1 Article Summary
- 2 Quick Facts: 2026 Eligibility
- 3 1. Adults (ARHOME)
- 4 2. Children (ARKids First)
- 5 3. Seniors & Long-Term Care (Non-MAGI)
- 6 4. Pregnant Women
- 7 How to Apply for Arkansas Medicaid in 2026
- 8 Federal vs. State Rules: What’s Different
- 9 What If Your Income Is Too High?
- 10 Frequently Asked Questions
- 10.1 What is the income limit for Arkansas Medicaid in 2026?
- 10.2 When did the 2026 Arkansas Medicaid limits take effect?
- 10.3 Is there an asset limit for Arkansas Medicaid?
- 10.4 How do I apply for Arkansas Medicaid?
- 10.5 What if my Medicaid card is lost or not working?
- 10.6 What happens if my income is too high for Medicaid?
- 11 Sources
- 12 Ready to Check Your Eligibility?
Article Summary
- ARHOME adults qualify with income up to $1,836/month (1 person) or $3,795/month (family of 4).
- ARKids A is free for kids in families earning up to $1,889/month (1 person).
- ARKids B has low-cost coverage up to 211% of the FPL.
- Long-term care applicants face a stricter $2,982/month income limit.
- There is no asset limit for ARHOME or ARKids. Seniors and disabled applicants face a $2,000 asset limit.
- Limits took effect April 1, 2026, and run through March 31, 2027.
Quick Facts: 2026 Eligibility
Arkansas updates its Medicaid income limits every year on April 1. This keeps the limits in line with the federal poverty guidelines. The 2026 update brought small increases across most eligibility groups.
Asset rules also differ by program. Knowing which rule applies to you matters as much as the income number itself.
Effective Date
The limits in this article are effective April 1, 2026, and stay in place until March 31, 2027. Arkansas Medicaid does not update these figures mid-year.
Asset Limits by Program
There is no asset limit for ARHOME adults or ARKids children. This means owning a home, car, or savings account won’t disqualify you.
An asset limit of $2,000 applies only to Aged, Blind, and Disabled (ABD) and Long-Term Care applicants. Countable assets above that amount can affect eligibility for these two groups.
1. Adults (ARHOME)
The Arkansas Health and Opportunity for Me (ARHOME) program covers adults ages 19–64. It replaced the state’s old Medicaid expansion plan and uses a 138% FPL income cutoff.
Coverage includes doctor visits, hospital care, and prescriptions. Most ARHOME members do not pay a monthly premium unless their income is above 100% of the FPL.
ARHOME Income Limits by Household Size
| Household Size | Monthly Income Limit (2026) | Annual Income Limit (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Person | $1,836 | ~$22,032 |
| 2 People | $2,493* | ~$29,916 |
| 3 People | $3,151* | ~$37,812 |
| 4 People | $3,795 | ~$45,540 |
*Figures for household sizes of 1 and 4 are verified 2026 data. Figures for 2 and 3 are calculated estimates based on the confirmed 2026 FPL base.
If you want to compare how Arkansas stacks up against other states, this guide on medicaid income limits by state in 2026 breaks down the differences pathway by pathway.
2. Children (ARKids First)
Children under 19 in Arkansas qualify through ARKids First. This program splits into two tiers based on family income, so it’s important to know which one applies to your household.
ARKids A works like standard Medicaid with no cost. ARKids B is Arkansas’s version of CHIP and includes small co-pays for certain services.
ARKids A (No Cost)
ARKids A covers families earning up to 142% of the FPL. There are no premiums and no co-pays for covered services.
ARKids B (Low-Cost Coverage)
ARKids B covers families earning between 142% and 211% of the FPL. Co-pays are small and capped based on family income.
| Household Size | ARKids A Limit (Free) | ARKids B Limit (Low-Cost) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Person | $1,889/mo | Up to $2,806*/mo |
| 2 People | $2,565*/mo | Up to $3,812*/mo |
| 3 People | $3,242*/mo | Up to $4,817*/mo |
| 4 People | $3,905/mo | Up to $5,823*/mo |
*ARKids A limits for household sizes 1 and 4 are verified 2026 data. ARKids B limits are calculated using the confirmed 211% FPL threshold.
3. Seniors & Long-Term Care (Non-MAGI)
Seniors, blind individuals, and people with disabilities follow different rules than ARHOME or ARKids. This group is called “Non-MAGI” because income counting methods differ from the ACA-style rules used for adults and kids.
Both income and assets matter here. Applicants must meet strict dollar limits on both fronts to qualify.
Regular Medicaid (SSI-Related)
The individual income limit for regular Non-MAGI Medicaid is $994/month. This pathway mirrors SSI eligibility rules used at the federal level.
Long-Term Care and Waiver Programs
Nursing home and waiver applicants face a higher limit of $2,982/month. This applies to ARChoices and other home and community-based waiver programs.
If your income is above $2,982, you may still qualify by placing extra income into a Qualified Income Trust, sometimes called a Miller Trust. This legal tool lets excess income “pass through” without counting against your eligibility.
The asset limit for this group is $2,000 for an individual. Reviewing current billing and reimbursement rules through the Medicaid Fee Schedule 2026 can also help long-term care applicants understand what services are covered.
4. Pregnant Women
Pregnant women in Arkansas qualify for Medicaid under a program known as SOBRA. This pathway allows a higher income limit than standard adult Medicaid because it prioritizes prenatal and maternal care.
The income limit is 209% of the FPL, or approximately $2,780/month for a single pregnant woman. Household size may be adjusted upward since Arkansas counts the unborn child as a household member in some calculations.
How to Apply for Arkansas Medicaid in 2026
Applying takes just a few steps. Have your income documents and household information ready before you start.
- Go to Access Arkansas online or call 1-800-482-8988.
- Create an account or log in to an existing one.
- Select the Medicaid program category that fits your household.
- Enter income, household size, and asset information (if applicable).
- Upload proof of income and identity documents.
- Submit the application and wait for a determination letter by mail or online.
Federal vs. State Rules: What’s Different
Medicaid is a joint federal and state program. The federal government sets baseline rules and funding formulas, while Arkansas DHS decides exact dollar limits, program names, and application processes.
This is why income limits vary from state to state even though the underlying FPL percentages are federally set. Arkansas’s 138% FPL cutoff for ARHOME, for example, matches the federal expansion standard, but the dollar amounts reflect Arkansas’s own household calculations.
What If Your Income Is Too High?
If your income is slightly above these limits, you’re not out of options. You may still qualify for subsidized health plans through the Health Insurance Marketplace, where subsidy amounts have also been adjusted for 2026.
Checking your options through the Marketplace takes a few minutes and can reveal lower-cost coverage even if Medicaid isn’t available to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income limit for Arkansas Medicaid in 2026?
A single adult can earn up to $1,836/month for ARHOME. A family of four can earn up to $3,795/month. Limits vary by program, so check the category that fits your age and household.
When did the 2026 Arkansas Medicaid limits take effect?
The new limits took effect April 1, 2026, and remain in place through March 31, 2027. Arkansas updates these figures once a year.
Is there an asset limit for Arkansas Medicaid?
No asset limit applies to ARHOME or ARKids. A $2,000 asset limit applies only to Aged, Blind, Disabled, and Long-Term Care applicants.
How do I apply for Arkansas Medicaid?
Apply online through Access Arkansas or call 1-800-482-8988. You’ll need proof of income, identity, and household size.
What if my Medicaid card is lost or not working?
Contact Arkansas DHS or your managed care plan directly to request a replacement. Most issues are resolved within a few business days.
What happens if my income is too high for Medicaid?
You may qualify for subsidized Marketplace coverage instead. Subsidy amounts were adjusted for 2026, so it’s worth checking even if you were denied before.
Sources
- Arkansas Department of Human Services – Medicaid Quick Reference Chart
- Access Arkansas – Apply for Benefits
Last updated: July 2026, based on the April 1, 2026 Arkansas DHS income limit update.
Ready to Check Your Eligibility?
Income limits change every April, so it’s worth double-checking your household’s numbers each year. Apply through Access Arkansas today or call 1-800-482-8988 to speak with a caseworker about your options.
