Arkansas is rolling out a new community engagement and work requirement for ARHOME, the state's Medicaid expansion program for adults ages 19 to 64. Starting July 1, 2026, the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) begins a soft-launch phase to check compliance. No one loses coverage during this phase. Full enforcement, with potential suspension of benefits for non-compliant enrollees, starts January 1, 2027. If you are currently on ARHOME or plan to apply, this guide covers what is changing, who is exempt, what counts as qualifying activity, and exactly what you need to do right now.
What Is ARHOME?
ARHOME stands for Arkansas Health and Opportunity for Me. It is Arkansas's Medicaid expansion program created under the Affordable Care Act. The program covers low-income adults between ages 19 and 64 who earn up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and are not enrolled in Medicare.
2026 ARHOME Income Limits
| Household Size | Monthly Income Limit | Annual Income Limit |
|---|
| 1 | $1,836 | $22,025 |
| 2 | $2,480 | $29,761 |
| 3 | $3,138 | $37,650 |
| 4 | $3,795 | $45,540 |
| 5 | $4,453 | $53,430 |
Income limits updated April 1, 2026. ARHOME has no asset limits. Savings, vehicles, and home ownership do not count against eligibility.
The 2026 to 2027 Implementation Timeline
Arkansas previously tried Medicaid work requirements in 2018, resulting in more than 18,000 people losing coverage before a federal court blocked the program. The 2026 version is designed to avoid those outcomes by using automation to verify compliance before contacting enrollees.
| Date | What Happens |
|---|
| July 1, 2026 | Soft launch begins. DHS starts using automated data checks to identify who meets requirements, who is exempt, and who may be non-compliant. No penalties. |
| July to November 2026 | DHS cross-references employment records, SNAP work data, TANF participation, and other agency databases. Renewal forms are pre-populated where possible. |
| December 2026 | A contracted vendor begins outbound calls to enrollees whose compliance cannot be confirmed through automated systems. |
| January 1, 2027 | Full enforcement begins. Non-exempt enrollees who do not meet the requirement receive a 30-day notice to demonstrate compliance before benefits are suspended. |
The soft-launch approach is explicitly designed to reduce coverage loss. DHS Director Mary Franklin stated the first step at renewal will be to verify compliance "ex parte" (meaning without requiring action from the enrollee) wherever automated data makes it possible.
Who Must Meet the Requirement
Any ARHOME enrollee between ages 19 and 64 who does not fall into an exempt category must complete 80 hours per month of qualifying community engagement activities to keep their coverage starting January 1, 2027.
Who Is Exempt
The following groups are exempt from the work and community engagement requirement entirely:
- Pregnant individuals and people up to 60 days postpartum
- Disabled veterans with rated disabilities
- Parents or caregivers of a dependent child under age 14
- Individuals with serious medical conditions, disabilities, or who are medically frail
- Former foster youth under age 26
- Tribal members and Alaska Natives
- People enrolled in Medicare
- Full-time students
- Individuals enrolled in substance use treatment programs
- Enrollees who already meet SNAP or TANF work requirements (those count automatically)
If you believe you qualify for an exemption, you should document it and be prepared to provide supporting information at your next renewal.
What Counts as a Qualifying Activity
To meet the 80-hour-per-month threshold, qualifying activities include:
- Employment (paid work, including part-time and self-employment)
- Job training or workforce programs (state-approved programs)
- Higher education or vocational training (college, trade school, GED programs)
- Volunteer work (with a qualifying organization)
- Community service (as approved by DHS)
- Combinations of the above (for example, 40 hours of part-time work and 40 hours of school)
You do not need to meet all 80 hours through a single activity. A mix of work, classes, and volunteering that totals 80 hours in a calendar month counts.
How Compliance Will Be Verified
DHS is taking a layered approach to verification to reduce the burden on enrollees:
Step 1: Automated data matching. DHS will cross-reference employment records, SNAP participation data, TANF records, and other state databases. If these sources confirm that you are working or exempt, nothing further is required from you.
Step 2: Pre-populated renewals. Where automated checks confirm compliance, your six-month renewal form will be pre-populated. You review and confirm rather than re-enter all your information.
Step 3: Vendor outreach. Starting December 2026, a contracted vendor will call enrollees whose status cannot be confirmed automatically. This is your opportunity to self-report qualifying activities or claim an exemption before full enforcement begins.
Step 4: Self-reporting. If automated systems do not capture your activities, you can report compliance directly through the Access Arkansas portal at access.arkansas.gov, by phone through your local DHS county office, or in person.
Prep Checklist: What to Do Before July 1, 2026
These steps protect your coverage now and make the verification process smoother when it starts.
Contact and account information
Exemption documentation
Work and activity records
Renewal readiness
What Happens If You Miss the Requirement
Starting January 1, 2027, if DHS cannot confirm that a non-exempt enrollee is meeting the 80-hour monthly requirement, the following process applies:
- DHS sends a notice giving the enrollee 30 days to demonstrate compliance.
- During those 30 days, coverage remains active.
- If compliance is not demonstrated within 30 days, coverage is suspended.
- Enrollees can regain coverage by demonstrating compliance after suspension.
The 30-day notice period is a safeguard against coverage loss from administrative errors. If you receive a notice, respond immediately and provide documentation of your qualifying activities or exemption.
How ARHOME Work Requirements Differ From 2018
Arkansas's 2018 Medicaid work requirements resulted in more than 18,000 people losing coverage in just a few months, and a federal court ultimately blocked the program. The 2026 version includes several changes designed to reduce unintended coverage loss:
- Automated data matching is used first, before contacting enrollees
- Pre-populated renewal forms reduce paperwork errors
- A vendor makes outreach calls before enforcement begins
- A 30-day cure period is built in before coverage is suspended
DHS has stated publicly that the goal of the soft-launch phase is to identify and address compliance barriers before penalties apply.
DHS Town Halls and Resources
Arkansas DHS has announced free public town halls to explain the new requirements. Visit humanservices.arkansas.gov for the schedule. You can also:
- Call the ARHOME customer service line at 1-888-987-1200
- Visit your local DHS county office
- Manage your account at access.arkansas.gov
Use our free benefits screener to verify your current ARHOME eligibility and check whether you may qualify for other assistance programs. You can also visit our Arkansas benefits guide for a full overview of state programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do ARHOME work requirements start?
The soft launch begins July 1, 2026. During the soft launch, DHS starts checking compliance but no one loses coverage. Full enforcement with potential coverage suspension starts January 1, 2027.
How many hours per month do I need to work to keep ARHOME?
Non-exempt enrollees must complete 80 hours per month (roughly 20 hours per week) of qualifying activities. This can be a combination of employment, education, job training, and volunteer work.
What if I already work but my employer does not report my hours to the state?
You can self-report your work hours through access.arkansas.gov, by phone, or in person at a local DHS county office. Keep pay stubs or employer letters as documentation.
I take care of a family member. Does that exempt me?
Parents and caregivers of dependent children under age 14 are exempt. Caregivers of other dependents may also qualify depending on circumstances. Contact DHS to confirm your specific situation.
If I lose coverage, can I get it back?
Yes. If coverage is suspended due to non-compliance, you can regain it by demonstrating that you are now meeting the requirement or qualify for an exemption.
Do part-time hours count toward the 80-hour requirement?
Yes. Part-time employment counts toward the monthly total. You can combine work, school, and volunteer hours as long as the total reaches 80 hours in the calendar month.
What if I receive a phone call from a DHS vendor?
Starting December 2026, a contracted vendor will call enrollees whose compliance cannot be confirmed automatically. These calls are legitimate. Answer them and provide information about your work, school, or volunteer activities. If you miss the call, call back using the number DHS has on file.
Does being enrolled in SNAP or TANF automatically satisfy the ARHOME requirement?
Yes. Enrollees who already meet the work requirements for SNAP or TANF receive automatic credit and are not required to separately report ARHOME compliance.
