A growing number of home and community-based programs are available as alternatives to nursing facility care. While a nursing facility may be the right choice for some individuals, others may qualify for services that help them remain at home. To explore your options, call toll-free at 1-866-801-3435 or email choices.in.[email protected]
A brief description of each of these programs and their eligibility criteria can be found on this webpage. If you are interested in the DDS Waiver program, please see below for application instructions. For all other programs, please complete an application and return it to your local DHS county office or call for more information. A caseworker in the LTSS unit will determine your eligibility and provide additional information on available assistance. This worker may be located in a different county than your own.
If you need to submit any LTSS related information, such as applications, renewals, changes, verifications, or other documents, you can fax them to the numbers below:
| LTSS Fax Number – 501-255-8127 |
| DDS Fax Number – 870-673-8135 |
Additional information on services may be found online at the sites listed below.
The following programs are available for facility and non-facility care for individuals with long-term medical needs. These programs have common income and resource requirements.
ARChoices in Homecare (ARChoices)
The ARChoices in Homecare program provides home- and community-based care for individuals aged 21 and over as an alternative to institutionalization. Individuals aged 21–64 must have a physical disability as determined by SSA/SSI criteria, Railroad Retirement, or the DHS Medical Review Team.
ARChoices offers a range of services, including Attendant Care, Home-Delivered Meals, Personal Emergency Response Systems, Adult Day Services, Adult Day Health Services, Adult Family Homes, Respite Care, and Environmental Accessibility Adaptations/Adaptive Equipment. The program also includes the full range of Medicaid benefits.
To qualify, individuals must require an Intermediate Level of Care as determined by the Office of Long Term Care. Those who require Skilled Care are not eligible.
Individuals with income above the current limit may become Medicaid eligible by establishing an Income Trust. Applicants with spouses living in the community may qualify for the division of spousal resources, but not for spousal income, since the recipient does not contribute income toward their care—except in the case of individuals in Adult Family Homes.
Assisted Living Facilities Level II – (ALF)
Assisted Living Facilities provide assistance in a residential setting with activities of daily living for individuals who are aged, blind, or have a physical disability. Living units and shared common spaces support residents’ daily needs on a 24-hour basis.
Individuals in Level II Assisted Living Facilities are eligible for the full range of Medicaid benefits. However, room and board costs are not covered by the waiver. Medicaid eligibility for ALF services requires an Intermediate Level of Care, as determined by the Office of Long Term Care. Individuals requiring Skilled Care are not eligible for this program.
Individuals with income over the current limit may become Medicaid eligible by establishing an Income Trust. Non-institutionalized spouses of ALF recipients are eligible for a division of spousal income and resources.
Developmental Disability Services – (DDS)
DDS provides home- and community-based waiver services for individuals with developmental disabilities who would otherwise require institutional care. Applicants must meet financial eligibility requirements and require a level of care consistent with admission to an Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID).
DDS Waiver participants receive the full range of Medicaid benefits along with specialized services. To apply, complete an application or contact a DDS worker.
For children, call DDS Children Services at (501) 682-2277.
For adults, call DDS Adult Services at (501) 683-5687 or (501) 852-8556.
Nursing Facilities
Nursing facilities are institutions that provide 24-hour medically necessary care for individuals who require skilled nursing, rehabilitation services, or other health-related care and services beyond the level of room and board. These services are not primarily for the care or treatment of mental illnesses.
Medicaid recipients in nursing facilities receive the full range of Medicaid benefits. Medicaid may also cover all or part of the facility’s monthly vendor payment, depending on the individual’s income.
Individuals with income above the current limit may still become Medicaid eligible by establishing an Income Trust. DHS caseworkers can provide more information about this process.
Non-institutionalized spouses of nursing facility residents are eligible for a division of spousal income and resources.
In addition to meeting income and resource requirements, nursing facility residents must be aged, blind, or individuals with disabilities. They must also require a certain level of medical care, as determined by the Office of Long Term Care.
PACE – (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly)
PACE is a comprehensive health and social services program for individuals age 55 or older who require nursing facility care. It provides and coordinates primary, preventive, acute, and long-term care services. Care may be delivered in PACE Centers, at home, or in inpatient facilities.
PACE eligibility requires that the individual:
- Is 55 or older
- Lives in a PACE-covered service area
- Can live safely in the community with support
Individuals with income above the limit may still qualify for Medicaid through an Income Trust. DHS caseworkers can provide assistance with this process. Spouses living in the community may be eligible for a division of spousal income and resources.
PACE participants must meet the nursing home Level of Care standard as determined by the Office of Long Term Care.
PACE Locations
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
PACE of the Ozarks – Washington Regional
813 Founders Park Dr. East, Ste. 107
Springdale, AR 72762
Phone: (479) 463-6600
Counties served: Benton, Madison, Washington
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
Total Life Healthcare – St. Bernards Healthcare
505 E. Matthews, Ste. 101
Jonesboro, AR 72401
Phone: (870) 207-7500
Counties served: Craighead, Cross, Greene, Lawrence, Mississippi, Poinsett, Randolph
CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Complete Health with PACE – Baptist Health
3500 Springhill Drive
North Little Rock, AR 72117
Phone: (501) 441-8000
Counties served: Faulkner, Garland, Hot Spring, Lonoke, Pulaski, Saline
Income and Resource Limits
Income Limit
The income limit for all LTSS programs is three times the current SSI Standard Payment Amount (SPA) for an individual. For 2023, that amount is $2,742.00. This amount is updated annually, typically at the beginning of the calendar year.
Only the income of the applicant is counted toward this limit.
If the applicant resides in a nursing facility, assisted living facility, or adult family home and has a spouse who lives in the community, the community spouse may be allowed to retain all or part of the applicant’s income.
Resource Limit
The resource limit for the applicant is $2,000.
In some programs, if the applicant has a spouse, the community spouse may retain all or a portion of the combined assets.
Resource Rule for Spousal Resources
| Total Resources | Community Spouse Keeps |
| Under $29,724 | All resources |
| $29,724–$59,448 | $29,724 |
| $59,448–$297,240 | One-half of total |
| Over $297,240 | $148,620 (max as of 1/1/2023) |
Note: These amounts typically increase each year based on cost-of-living adjustments.
LTSS Medicaid Application Packet
Once you’ve opened up the document, you may need to click on “Trust the Host” under options, or “Enable All Features” for the document to show fillable fields.
Important Instructions:
- After opening the file, you may need to click “Trust the Host” or “Enable All Features” for fillable fields to appear.
- You may complete the form on your computer. Print it, sign it, and mail it to the DHS office in your county (address found on the last page of the packet).
- Complete all questions and include all documentation listed on page 6 to help speed up the process.
If you are missing something, submit what you have. The caseworker will notify you of any additional information needed.
Need Help?
For questions about the programs, application assistance, or to request a mailed copy of the packet, call the Choices in Living Resource Center: 1-866-801-3435
