Arkansas Medicaid income limits
Last verified: June 2026
Verify current limits with Arkansas Medicaid (Arkansas Works)
Arkansas uses two income tracks: ARHOME (premium assistance) for most expansion adults, traditional Medicaid for other groups
ARHOME income limits (adults 19–64)
ARHOME uses MAGI income rules. There is no asset test. If you earn at or below 138% FPL, you qualify financially for ARHOME. Per DHS, eligibility also requires Arkansas residency, U.S. citizenship or qualifying immigration status, and not being entitled to or enrolled in Medicare.
| Household size | 138% FPL monthly limit | Annual equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,884/mo | $22,608/yr |
| 2 | $2,533/mo | $30,396/yr |
| 3 | $3,181/mo | $38,172/yr |
| 4 | $3,830/mo | $45,960/yr |
| 5 | $4,478/mo | $53,736/yr |
| 6 | $5,127/mo | $61,524/yr |
Based on 2026 HHS federal poverty guidelines. Monthly figures are approximate gross income limits. Source: Arkansas DHS ARHOME eligibility at humanservices.arkansas.gov.
ARKids First income limits (children under 19)
ARKids First is Arkansas's combined Medicaid and CHIP program for children under 19. There are two tiers with different income limits. ARKids First-A is traditional Medicaid; ARKids First-B is the CHIP tier at a higher income level.
| Household size | ARKids First-A (Medicaid, ~100% FPL) | ARKids First-B (CHIP, 211% FPL) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ~$1,365/mo | ~$2,880/mo |
| 2 | ~$1,835/mo | ~$3,872/mo |
| 3 | ~$2,305/mo | ~$4,864/mo |
| 4 | ~$2,775/mo | ~$5,857/mo |
| 5 | ~$3,245/mo | ~$6,849/mo |
ARKids First-A limits are approximate based on 2026 FPL; ARKids First-B CHIP limit is 211% FPL per DMS. Verify exact limits at arkidsfirst.com or by calling 1-888-987-1200.
Income limits for other covered groups
| Covered group | Income limit (approx.) | Asset test? |
|---|---|---|
| Pregnant women | 200% FPL (~$2,730/mo individual) | No |
| Newborns (up to 1 year, if mother was enrolled) | Automatic — linked to mother's eligibility | No |
| SSI recipients (aged/blind/disabled) | SSI standard (~$967/mo, 2025) | SSI asset test applies |
| Nursing facility care | 300% SSI (~$2,901/mo, 2025) | Yes — $2,000 |
| ARHOME adults (19–64) | 138% FPL (see table above) | No |
ARHOME income goes above 138% FPL? You may qualify for a marketplace plan instead
How Medicaid income limits work
Medicaid eligibility is tied to the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), a measure the Department of Health and Human Services updates each January. States set their income limits as a percentage of FPL — so when FPL increases, the dollar thresholds for Medicaid also shift.
The Affordable Care Act established a standard income methodology called Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) for most Medicaid applicants. Under MAGI, the agency counts wages, salaries, self-employment income, Social Security benefits, and most other taxable income. Assets — a savings account, vehicle, home — are not counted for MAGI-based programs. That changed with the ACA and applies in all states.
States that expanded Medicaid under the ACA cover most adults at or below 138% FPL. In non-expansion states, income limits for adults without dependent children are far lower — sometimes as low as a few hundred dollars per month — or eligibility for that category simply doesn't exist.
These are federal guidelines — state limits may differ
What counts as income under MAGI
MAGI (Modified Adjusted Gross Income) is the income standard for most Medicaid applicants — children, adults under 65, pregnant women, and parents. It includes wages, salary, tips, self-employment income, unemployment benefits, Social Security retirement and disability benefits (SSDI), and most other taxable income.
It does not count child support received, gifts, loans, inheritances that are not generating income, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. One key MAGI rule: the ACA added a 5% FPL income disregard for most adults, which effectively raises the usable threshold by that amount. So a state with a 133% FPL limit effectively covers adults to about 138% FPL after the disregard.
Assets — a bank account, car, or home — are not counted for MAGI-based programs. That's a major difference from old-law Medicaid, where asset tests were common. If you previously didn't qualify because of assets, your eligibility may have changed after the ACA.
Asset limits and long-term care Medicaid
MAGI-based programs have no asset test. But Medicaid programs that cover long-term care — nursing home care, home and community-based services for seniors — use the old income and asset methodology, which does include asset limits.
Asset limits for long-term care Medicaid vary by state and are updated periodically. Generally, countable assets above the limit must be spent down before an applicant qualifies. Exempt assets — the primary home (in most circumstances), one vehicle, and certain personal property — are not counted.
Specific asset limits for Arkansas's long-term care programs are on the seniors and long-term care page. The thresholds change, so verify current figures with Arkansas Medicaid (Arkansas Works) directly.