State Medicaid Waiver Directory
Find your state's Katie Beckett waiver, TEFRA pathway, HCBS programs, and Medicaid eligibility rules for children and adults with disabilities. Each guide covers waitlists, application steps, income limits, and parent caregiver pay options.
For informational purposes only — not legal, medical, or financial advice. Medicaid rules, eligibility, and waitlists change frequently. Always verify with your state's official Medicaid agency before making decisions. Cross-check with Medicaid.gov's official waiver page.
Arkansas
Program Overview
Overview
Arkansas has a clearly labeled TEFRA pathway for children with disabilities who are cared for at home. This makes Arkansas one of the more straightforward states for families to understand their child-specific Medicaid option.
Katie Beckett or similar pathway
Yes. Arkansas officially uses TEFRA and labels it clearly.
Child-relevant waivers
The primary child-focused route is TEFRA itself. Arkansas also has HCBS waiver options through the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services.
Eligibility
Who qualifies
TEFRA approval is based on financial eligibility and a medical evaluation process for children younger than 19.
Financial and income rules
TEFRA is a cost-sharing Medicaid program and may involve a monthly premium for some families based on income.
Level of care
Arkansas requires a medical evaluation process tied to the child's disability and institutional-level need.
Age rules
Arkansas says TEFRA is for children younger than 19.
Getting Started
How to apply
Families download the TEFRA packet and submit it to the local DHS county office.
Documents needed
Families should gather the child's medical records, physician documentation of the disability, and family income information for the premium calculation.
Waitlist information
Arkansas has not published a statewide waitlist policy for TEFRA. Contact the county DHS office to ask about current enrollment timelines.
Practical next step
Download the TEFRA packet from Arkansas DHS and ask the county office how the medical review and any premium rules work. For non-Medicaid supports, contact ARS or ICAN.
Services & Support
Services available
TEFRA provides full Medicaid coverage for eligible children, which can include therapies, durable medical equipment, physician care, and home health.
Parent caregiver pay
No well-documented paid parent caregiving rules have been published for Arkansas. Contact Arkansas DDS directly to ask whether parents of minors can be paid in any DDS waiver programs.
Equipment exchange & assistive technology
Increasing Capabilities Access Network (iCAN — arkansascan.org) — free device demonstrations, short-term loans, reuse programs, and AT information statewide.
Mental health and Medicaid coverage
Arkansas Medicaid covers outpatient mental health therapy, psychiatric services, medication management, crisis stabilization, and community mental health services. The Division of Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services (DAABHS) oversees the behavioral health system. Children may access services through school-based mental health programs, community mental health centers, and the Youth Services Division. Behavioral health services for Medicaid enrollees are often coordinated through managed care organizations.
Additional notes
Arkansas is a clearer TEFRA state compared to many others. The premium structure can vary by family income.
State-Specific Resources
Arkansas Rehabilitation Services (ARS) — Vocational Rehabilitation
ARS (dws.arkansas.gov/ar-rehabilitation-services) helps people with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep good jobs. Services include vocational evaluation, job training, assistive technology, job coaching, and placement. Services are free and available statewide. ARS also serves transition-age youth (ages 14+).
Arkansas ICAN — Assistive Technology Loans & Demonstrations
ICAN (arkansascan.org) is Arkansas's Assistive Technology Act program. It provides free device demonstrations, short-term equipment loans for trial, device reuse programs, and information on AT funding. Services are available statewide to all Arkansans with disabilities.
Arkansas Early Intervention Program (Birth to Age 3)
Arkansas's Early Intervention program serves families with children birth to age 3 with developmental delays or disabilities. Services are provided in homes and communities and are family-focused. Referrals can be made by anyone. Contact the Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services.
Disability Rights Arkansas (DRA) — Legal Advocacy & P&A
DRA (disabilityrightsar.org) is Arkansas's Protection and Advocacy agency, providing free legal services, advocacy, and information on disability rights, education rights, employment issues, assistive technology access, and abuse/neglect.
Northwest Arkansas Community Parent Center (CPRC) — Family Advocacy
CPRC provides free parent training, information, and advocacy support for families of children with disabilities birth to age 26 in the Northwest Arkansas region. Services include IEP and 504 plan guidance, special education advocacy, and transition planning.
Arkansas — No State Paid Family Leave
Arkansas does not currently have a state-mandated paid family leave or temporary disability insurance program. Workers must rely on federal FMLA (unpaid) or employer-provided benefits. Some employers may offer voluntary paid family leave insurance programs.
Sources
Recent news for Arkansas
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette · October 10, 2026 · Medicaid & Waivers
New federal policy changes have restricted Medicaid eligibility for certain groups of legal immigrants and refugees.
USA TODAY · October 7, 2026 · Medicaid & Waivers, Caregiving, Rights & Law
Families in Arkansas are protesting the lack of state funding for in-home disability services following the tragic death of a child waiting for support.
USA TODAY on MSN · October 6, 2026 · Medicaid & Waivers, Rights & Law
Parents in Arkansas are protesting long waitlists for home-based disability services after the tragic loss of a child who was waiting for care.
Hot Springs Sentinel Record · October 5, 2026 · Medicaid & Waivers, Caregiving
A new Medicaid waiver initiative in Garland County aims to provide home-based support services for over 100 residents.
thv11.com · October 2, 2026 · Medicaid & Waivers, Funding & Budget
Arkansas lawmakers are actively researching potential legislative solutions to eliminate the lengthy waitlist for the state's Medicaid CES waiver.
Community Tips & Experience
Comments reflect the personal experiences and opinions of individual community members only. They do not represent the views, positions, or endorsements of National Disability Resource Project or any of its staff, volunteers, or affiliated members. Always verify information with official agencies and qualified professionals before making decisions.
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