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 DHS states there is a waiting list for Community and Employment Support (CES) Waiver services and that families receive a yearly DDS letter to update contact information. WaiverPath keeps your waitlist dates, DDS contacts, and records organized in one place. Confirm your status, position, and next steps directly with DDS.
Track my Arkansas waitlist stepsConfirm current waitlist rules and intake procedures with the administering agency — this table is a general reference only. Last reviewed: September 2026.
| Waiver track | Agency | Waitlist | What to track |
|---|---|---|---|
| CES Waiver | DDS (Arkansas DHS) | Yes — eligible clients move into slots based on when they were added to the waitlist | Waitlist start date, yearly contact-update letters, DDS call log |
| ARChoices in Homecare | DAABHS (DHS) | Confirm with DAABHS | Eligibility date, DAABHS intake contact, assessment records |
| Katie Beckett / TEFRA | Arkansas DHS Medicaid (Division of Medical Services) | Confirm current status with DHS Medicaid | Medicaid case ID, renewal dates, and DHS Medicaid contacts |
Confirm each step and any timeline with DDS or the relevant agency. WaiverPath organizes your records — it does not make eligibility or slot decisions.
Step 1
Record the waitlist start date in writing
Save the exact date DDS confirmed the applicant was added to the CES Waiver waiting list, the name of the DDS staff member who confirmed it, and any written notice or case number. This date determines waitlist priority — confirm it with DDS if you are not certain you have it in writing.
Step 2
Log every DDS contact
Keep a running log of each call, letter, and email: date, staff name, what was said, and the next action DDS identified. Confirm the current contact and follow-up process directly with DDS.
Step 3
Respond to yearly DDS contact-update letters immediately
Arkansas DHS sends a yearly letter asking families to confirm contact information. Respond as soon as it arrives, keep a copy of your response, and note the date. Set a recurring annual reminder, and confirm the current response process and deadline directly with DDS.
Step 4
Keep diagnosis and assessment records current
DDS may require an updated psychological evaluation or medical records when a slot becomes available. Keep the most recent psychological evaluation, medical records, and any school or vocational records (IEPs, job coaches) in one organized place. Confirm which records are current and required directly with DDS.
Step 5
Update DDS when address or contact information changes
Any change to the applicant's address, phone number, or primary contact person should be reported to DDS as soon as possible. Out-of-date contact information can cause slot-offer notices to go undelivered. Confirm with DDS how to submit updates and whether written confirmation is provided.
Step 6
Document your current health coverage situation
Arkansas DHS notes that some individuals waiting for CES Waiver services may not currently qualify for traditional Medicaid health benefits, while others may — these are separate determinations. Ask DDS whether you may apply for Medicaid, ARKids First, or other coverage while on the waitlist. If you do have Medicaid or other health coverage, keep your ID numbers and annual renewal dates recorded. Confirm your coverage options and any documentation DDS may need at the slot-offer stage directly with Arkansas DHS.
Step 7
Organize records for the assessment step
When a slot is offered, DDS may conduct a new eligibility assessment. Keep current copies of diagnosis documentation, Medicaid ID, proof of residence, and any prior DDS correspondence. Confirm the current assessment process and required records directly with DDS.
Step 8
Export a WaiverPath packet before DDS conversations
Use WaiverPath to generate a current summary packet — dates, contacts, and key notes — before any DDS meeting, provider conversation, or Medicaid renewal. WaiverPath organizes the information; confirm all facts and next steps with DDS directly.
Keep these records organized while you wait. Confirm required documentation with DDS or the administering agency — this is an organizer checklist, not an official required-document list.
Losing the waitlist start date
This date determines priority — confirm it with DDS in writing and store it in WaiverPath immediately.
Missing the yearly contact-update letter
Set a recurring annual reminder. Confirm the current response deadline and consequences of a missed response directly with DDS.
Not tracking who you spoke with at DDS
Log every call: date, staff name, and what was said. A consistent record protects you if there is a dispute.
Not confirming your waitlist status periodically
Arkansas DHS states that CES Waiver priority is based on when an applicant was added to the list and provides a way to request your current waitlist number. Contact DDS to confirm your current position and ask how to request a status update in writing.
Yes. Arkansas DHS states there is a waiting list for Community and Employment Support (CES) Waiver services and that eligible individuals move into waiver slots based on when they were added to the list. Confirm current waitlist status, procedures, and your case status directly with Arkansas DHS Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS).
ARChoices in Homecare is administered by the Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services (DAABHS), not DDS. Confirm whether ARChoices operates a waitlist and what the current intake process looks like directly with DAABHS — processes may differ from the CES Waiver. WaiverPath organizes notes for any HCBS track; the program-specific waitlist rules are set by the administering agency.
Arkansas DHS states that families on the CES Waiver waiting list receive a yearly letter to update contact information. Keeping your contact information current is important for maintaining your waitlist record. Confirm with DDS what their current policy is for families who miss or are unable to respond, and what the correct response process looks like. Keep the letter, the date you responded, and proof of any update you sent. Set a calendar reminder to watch for it each year.
Track the date the applicant was added to the CES Waiver waiting list, all DDS letters (especially the yearly contact-update), your response dates and confirmation numbers, any DDS phone contacts (date, staff name, summary), mailing address changes, and any updated diagnosis or medical records DDS requests. The waitlist start date is the most critical piece — confirm it with DDS in writing if possible.
When a slot becomes available, DDS will contact you. Confirm with DDS what their current process looks like at that stage — what documentation they require, how they verify eligibility, and what the next assessment step involves — since procedures can change. WaiverPath helps you keep the documents organized for that step, but does not make eligibility or slot decisions.
Keep the original DDS intake notification and waitlist start date, all yearly contact-update letters and your response records, diagnosis documentation and any current psychological evaluations, Medicaid ID and enrollment letters, address history, and any DDS or provider assessment records. WaiverPath lets you save notes and upload files so these are in one place when DDS contacts you.
No. WaiverPath is an organizer and cannot access DDS waitlist systems or make official status claims. Use it to keep your dates, letters, and contacts organized, then confirm your position, status, and any timeline estimates directly with DDS.
Contact DDS to report major changes — such as a new diagnosis, significant health changes, or a change in living situation — and ask whether a re-assessment is needed to update the file. Keep records of any updates you provide. Confirm how changes affect waitlist priority and timeline with DDS directly, as procedures can change.
Last reviewed by WaiverPath: September 4, 2026.
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.
