Arkansas Medicaid Waiver Programs Guide

Arkansas operates three primary home- and community-based services (HCBS) waiver programs: the CES Waiver (Community and Employment Supports) for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, ARChoices in Homecare for adults with physical disabilities or age-related functional limitations, and the Katie Beckett / TEFRA option for children with significant medical needs. This guide explains each program, how to apply, and what to expect — organized for families navigating the process.

WaiverPath is not a government agency, law firm, Medicaid provider, or benefits advisor. We help you organize information, documents, and follow-up tasks. Always verify requirements with the official agency or a qualified professional.

Arkansas HCBS Waiver Programs

Community and Employment Supports (CES) Waiver

Arkansas DHS · Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS)

Who this serves: Individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD) who require a level of care equivalent to an Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID). Active Arkansas Medicaid enrollment is required. DDS reviews medical records, diagnosis or condition information, and whether the condition is expected to continue indefinitely. Functional need — including substantial support in areas such as self-care, language, learning, mobility, self-direction, and independent living — is part of the evaluation. Eligibility is determined by DDS; confirm current criteria with DDS before applying.
How to apply: Contact DDS Intake and Referral to begin: call 501-683-5687 or submit the online request form linked from the Arkansas DHS website. DDS staff will guide you through the initial intake steps, collect diagnostic and medical record documentation, and conduct the level-of-care determination. Confirm current intake hours, required documentation, and the correct phone or web contact with DDS before submitting any paperwork.
Waitlist and key notes: The CES Waiver has historically carried a significant waitlist. Filing a complete and well-documented application as early as possible protects your position and date of record. Confirm current waitlist figures, average wait times, and your application status directly with DDS.

ARChoices in Homecare

Arkansas DHS · Division of Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services (DAABHS)

Who this serves: Adults who need home- and community-based services as an alternative to nursing facility care. ARChoices serves two groups: adults 18 or older with a physical disability requiring a nursing-facility level of care, and adults 21 or older who are aging and need similar care. ARChoices is not limited to I/DD populations — it focuses on physical and age-related functional limitations. An assessment documenting nursing-facility level of care is required for both groups. Confirm current age thresholds, functional criteria, and eligibility requirements with DAABHS or your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA).
How to apply: Contact your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) or the DHS Division of Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services (DAABHS). A functional assessment — typically a level-of-care determination — is required before services can begin. The assessment team contacts the applicant to schedule the evaluation. Confirm the current intake process, AAA contact for your county, and documentation requirements with DAABHS before applying.
Waitlist and key notes: ARChoices provides services including personal care, personal emergency response systems (PERS), respite, skilled nursing, physical and occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, adult day health services, and environmental modifications. Slot availability and wait times vary by service area and program capacity. Confirm current availability with your local AAA or DAABHS.

Katie Beckett / TEFRA Option

Arkansas DHS · Division of Medical Services (Medicaid)

Who this serves: Children under 19 with disabilities or complex medical needs who require a nursing-facility, ICF/IID, or hospital level of care but who live at home rather than in an institution. A key feature: eligibility is based on the child's own circumstances — parental income and assets are not counted, making the program accessible to families who would not otherwise qualify for standard Medicaid. Confirm current age limits, level-of-care criteria, and eligibility requirements with Arkansas DHS Medicaid before applying.
How to apply: Apply through the Arkansas DHS Division of Medical Services. Families submit documentation of the child's disability, medical needs, and required level of care; a medical review is conducted to confirm that the child meets the institutional level-of-care standard. Some families work with the child's pediatrician, specialist, or hospital social worker to gather the necessary documentation. Confirm the current application process, required forms, and submission contacts with DHS Medicaid.
Waitlist and key notes: Unlike most Medicaid programs, the Katie Beckett / TEFRA option evaluates the child's eligibility independently of parental income. If approved, the child receives Medicaid coverage that can fund HCBS services in the home, keeping the family together and avoiding institutional placement. Confirm current program availability, covered services, and renewal requirements with DHS Medicaid.

How to Apply — Step by Step

1
Identify which Arkansas HCBS program fits the individual's needs
Arkansas operates three primary HCBS programs targeting distinct populations. The CES Waiver is for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. ARChoices in Homecare is for adults with physical disabilities or age-related functional limitations who need nursing-facility level of care but live at home. Katie Beckett / TEFRA is for children under 19 with significant medical needs or disabilities. Matching the right program to the individual's diagnosis, age, and functional needs first avoids delays. If you are unsure which program applies, contact DDS (I/DD questions) or DAABHS / your local AAA (aging or PD questions) — or call the main DHS line for direction.
2
Confirm active Arkansas Medicaid enrollment — or begin enrollment simultaneously
All three Arkansas HCBS programs require active Arkansas Medicaid enrollment before services can begin. Apply for Medicaid through Arkansas DHS using the online portal at access.arkansas.gov, in person at a local DHS county office, or by phone. For the Katie Beckett / TEFRA option, the child's own circumstances — not parental income — determine Medicaid eligibility for the HCBS benefit. You can contact DDS or DAABHS to begin the waiver intake process while a Medicaid application is pending, but coverage cannot start without active Medicaid. Track your Medicaid case number separately from your waiver application number.
3
Contact the administering agency to start the intake process
For the CES Waiver: contact DDS Intake and Referral at 501-683-5687 or submit the online DHS request form. For ARChoices in Homecare: contact your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) or DAABHS. For Katie Beckett / TEFRA: contact the Arkansas DHS Division of Medical Services. Each program has its own intake process — do not assume that contacting one agency initiates all three. Confirm the correct intake contact for your program with the administering agency before submitting any forms or documentation.
4
Gather required documentation
Documentation requirements vary by program. For the CES Waiver: qualifying diagnosis (intellectual disability, autism, or related condition) with functional assessment data; medical records confirming the condition is expected to continue indefinitely. For ARChoices in Homecare: physician documentation of physical disability or age-related functional limitations; functional assessment confirming nursing-facility level of care. For Katie Beckett / TEFRA: pediatrician or specialist records confirming the child's disability and level-of-care need; documentation that the child lives at home. In all cases, gather proof of Arkansas residency, Social Security documentation, and active Medicaid enrollment confirmation. Use the document checklist below to organize materials.
5
Participate in the level-of-care assessment
All three programs require a formal assessment to confirm the individual meets the level of care needed for the program. For the CES Waiver, DDS staff review clinical records and may conduct a functional assessment of support needs. For ARChoices in Homecare, DAABHS or AAA sends an assessment team to evaluate the individual's functional limitations and care needs at home. For Katie Beckett / TEFRA, DHS Medicaid conducts a medical review of the child's records. Prepare all documentation in advance and confirm the assessment schedule with the administering agency.
6
Respond to all agency communications promptly and track your application status annually
After submitting your application and completing the level-of-care assessment, the administering agency will notify you of eligibility determinations, waitlist status, or requests for additional information. Respond to all agency communications promptly to preserve your application's position and status. For programs with waitlists (particularly the CES Waiver), verify your application is active and confirm your current status with DDS at least annually. Keep copies of all submitted paperwork, correspondence, and assessment results. Confirm what ongoing steps are needed to maintain your place in the process with the administering agency.

Document Checklist

Gather these items before starting the application. Requirements vary by program — confirm which documents your administering agency requires before submitting.

✓Proof of Arkansas residency (utility bill, lease agreement, or government-issued mail with current address)
✓Social Security card and birth certificate (for the individual receiving services)
✓Active Arkansas Medicaid enrollment documentation (Medicaid ID or enrollment confirmation letter)
✓Qualifying diagnosis documentation: psychological evaluation with IQ and adaptive behavior scores (for I/DD — CES Waiver), or physician records of physical disability or age-related functional limitations (for ARChoices), or pediatric/specialist records (for Katie Beckett/TEFRA)
✓Medical records confirming the condition is expected to continue indefinitely (CES Waiver requirement)
✓Documentation of functional limitations and support needs in daily living areas (self-care, mobility, communication, self-direction)
✓Prior IEPs, functional assessments, or school records if applicable
✓Physician documentation confirming nursing-facility level of care (required for ARChoices in Homecare and Katie Beckett/TEFRA)
✓Specialist or hospital records if relevant to the disability or medical condition
✓DHS application form or online submission confirmation (obtain from the administering agency; confirm correct form before submitting)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Arkansas CES Waiver?

The Community and Employment Supports (CES) Waiver is Arkansas's primary HCBS waiver for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Administered by Arkansas DHS Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS), the CES Waiver provides home- and community-based services as an alternative to institutional care (ICF/IID) for eligible Arkansans with I/DD. Services may include personal assistance, respite, habilitation, supported employment, community integration, transportation, and environmental modifications. Eligibility requires active Arkansas Medicaid enrollment and a DDS determination that the individual meets ICF/IID level of care. Confirm current service arrays, eligibility criteria, and program details with DDS.

What is ARChoices in Homecare?

ARChoices in Homecare is Arkansas's HCBS waiver for adults with physical disabilities (ages 18 and older) and adults who are aging (ages 21 and older) who need a nursing-facility level of care but choose to live in the community. Administered by the DHS Division of Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services (DAABHS), ARChoices covers services such as personal care, PERS (personal emergency response systems), respite, skilled nursing, therapy services, adult day health, and environmental modifications. Eligibility is not limited to individuals with I/DD — it focuses on physical and functional limitations. Confirm current eligibility criteria, age thresholds, and service arrays with DAABHS or your local Area Agency on Aging.

How do I get a family member on the Arkansas CES Waiver waitlist?

Contact DDS Intake and Referral to begin the process: call 501-683-5687 or submit the online request from the Arkansas DHS website. Verify the current DDS intake number on the official Arkansas DHS website before calling, as contact information may change. DDS staff will guide you through initial documentation, a clinical review, and the level-of-care determination. Filing a complete and accurate application as early as possible establishes your date of record, which is important for waitlist position. Confirm your application status and waitlist position with DDS at least annually — positions can change and incomplete applications can lose their place. Do not assume an application submitted years ago is still active without confirming with DDS.

What is the Katie Beckett or TEFRA option in Arkansas?

The Katie Beckett / TEFRA option is a Medicaid provision that allows children under 19 with significant disabilities or complex medical needs to receive Medicaid coverage — and through that coverage, HCBS services — based on the child's own circumstances rather than parental income. This makes the program accessible to families whose income would otherwise disqualify them for standard Medicaid. The child must meet a nursing-facility, ICF/IID, or hospital level of care. Apply through the Arkansas DHS Division of Medical Services. Confirm current eligibility criteria, covered services, and application procedures with DHS Medicaid.

How long is the wait for the CES Waiver in Arkansas?

The CES Waiver has historically had a significant waitlist in Arkansas. Wait times vary by program capacity, available funding, and the number of individuals currently on the waitlist. WaiverPath cannot provide current waitlist figures — these change frequently. Contact DDS at 501-683-5687 to ask about current wait estimates and your application's status. Filing early and ensuring your application is complete and accurate is the most effective way to protect your position. Confirm your active status with DDS at least once a year.

Can a child with autism qualify for an Arkansas HCBS waiver?

Children and adults with autism spectrum disorder may qualify for the CES Waiver if the diagnosis meets DDS eligibility criteria and the individual requires ICF/IID level of care. Not all autism diagnoses automatically qualify — DDS evaluates functional support needs as part of the eligibility determination. Children with autism who do not meet CES Waiver criteria may be eligible for the Katie Beckett / TEFRA option if they have significant medical needs requiring an institutional level of care. Confirm which program applies to the individual's specific diagnosis, functional profile, and support needs with DDS or DHS Medicaid.

What does WaiverPath help Arkansas families do?

WaiverPath is an organizer for families navigating Medicaid HCBS waiver applications. It helps you track your application date, checklist steps, required documents, DDS or DAABHS contacts, and follow-up timelines — so nothing is missed in Arkansas's intake process. WaiverPath does not submit applications on your behalf, is not affiliated with Arkansas DHS, and does not provide legal, medical, or eligibility advice. Always confirm eligibility criteria, current procedures, and your application status directly with DDS, DAABHS, or DHS Medicaid.