New: the Funding Atlas shows how every state pays for disability services. See your state
Disability Atlaspowered by ConnectIDDSponsors

All states

Disability services in Arkansas

460 Confirmed Profiles and 8,331 Registry Listings across 221 counties, plus organizations that serve the whole country.

Friends lean on the railing of a park footbridge under shady trees.

Search by area in Arkansas

Intellectual and Developmental

Autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, learning disabilities, and ADHD.

1,432listings, 290 Confirmed Profiles

Mental and Behavioral Health

Mental illness, PTSD and trauma, substance use, and eating disorders.

3,676listings, 192 Confirmed Profiles

Physical and Mobility

Spinal cord injury, amputation and limb loss, muscular dystrophy, arthritis, and speech and language.

3,248listings, 226 Confirmed Profiles

Sensory

Blind and low vision, Deaf and hard of hearing, and DeafBlind.

1,194listings, 180 Confirmed Profiles

Neurological and Chronic Health

Brain injury, stroke, epilepsy, MS, ALS, Parkinson's, dementia, and medically complex needs.

2,697listings, 163 Confirmed Profiles

Veterans and Military Families

VA health, claims and benefits help, veterans service organizations, Vet Centers, housing, jobs, and military family support.

1,477listings, 269 Confirmed Profiles

Everything in Arkansas, on a map

Every listing in the state by county and ZIP code, plus 175 organizations that serve the whole country.

8,791listings in all

Key statewide contacts

Agencies and networks that serve people with any disability in Arkansas. Each area's Resources and data tab lists the contacts for that area.

Protection and Advocacy (1)

The legal advocacy agency for people with disabilities in your state, set up under federal law. Free help with rights, abuse and neglect, and discrimination.

Vocational Rehabilitation (2)

The state agency that helps people with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep a job.

Assistive Technology Act program (1)

Try, borrow, or get help paying for assistive technology, from communication devices to mobility equipment.

Centers for Independent Living (4)

Run by and for people with disabilities: peer support, skills training, advocacy, and help moving from an institution to the community.

Statewide Independent Living Council (1)

Plans and monitors independent living services across the state.

Aging and Disability Resource Centers (1)

One place to start for long-term services and supports for older adults and people with disabilities.

Area Agencies on Aging (8)

Local agencies that connect older adults and caregivers to in-home services, meals, and support.

Parent Training and Information Centers (1)

Free help for families of children with disabilities, including special education rights and IEPs.

Services by county in Arkansas

Each county page shows what serves that county, your local intake offices, and Confirmed Profiles based there. Numbers are listings that serve the county.

Show all 75 counties

How to get services in Arkansas

Most long-term supports are paid for by Medicaid, often through a waiver program. Start with Medicaid, then get on the program that fits. Many programs have a waiting list, so apply early.

Start here Arkansas Medicaid · Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of County Operations

Apply online (opens in a new tab) · Call (855) 372-1084 · Your local DHS county office

Yes. Arkansas gives Medicaid automatically to people who get SSI.

Aged, blind and disabled Medicaid gives full coverage to people 65 and older and to people Social Security finds blind or disabled who meet income and resource rules. Long-term services include nursing facility care, Living Choices assisted living, ARChoices, the CES Waiver and PACE. Medicare Savings Programs help with Medicare costs.

For children: TEFRA. Children under 19 with a disability who live at home can get Medicaid. Some families pay a monthly premium based on income.

If you work: Workers with Disabilities. Full Medicaid for working people with disabilities ages 16 to 65 who have a Social Security disability decision.

Steps

  1. Apply online at Access Arkansas, or ask your local DHS county office for a paper application.
  2. If you have a disability and low income, also apply for SSI at Social Security.
  3. For a child with a disability, fill out the TEFRA application packet and give it to your county office.
  4. Call 1-855-372-1084 if you have questions about your application.
  5. Watch for letters from DHS and send any papers they ask for.

Have these ready

  • Social Security number
  • Proof of income
  • Proof of Arkansas address
  • Bank and resource statements
  • Disability decision letter from Social Security, if you have one

Find a local benefits office (opens in a new tab)

Intellectual and developmental disabilities, and autism

Autism Waiver Has a waiting list

Children with an autism diagnosis ages 18 months to 5 years who meet ICF/IID level of care. Services must start before the 5th birthday and last up to 3 years.

Start with: Arkansas Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS) · (501) 683-5687 · Website (opens in a new tab)

DDS says there is typically a waitlist for an Autism Waiver slot.

Medicaid eligibility is decided as part of the waiver.

Steps

  1. See your child's Arkansas Medicaid primary care doctor (PCP) about your concerns.
  2. The PCP screens your child and refers you for an autism evaluation.
  3. Get the diagnosis from a team or from two of three clinician types (doctor, psychologist, speech pathologist).
  4. Contact DDS at 501-683-5687 to apply for the Autism Waiver.
  5. Apply early. Services must start before age 5.

Have these ready

  • Autism diagnostic evaluation report
  • PCP referral
  • Child's Medicaid number, if any
  • Birth certificate

About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas

PASSE Program (Provider-led Arkansas Shared Savings Entity) No waiting list

Medicaid members on the CES Waiver or its waitlist, people in a private DD ICF, and people with a behavioral health diagnosis whose Independent Assessment shows Tier 2 or higher.

Start with: Arkansas PASSE program (beneficiary support line) · (833) 402-0672 · Website (opens in a new tab)

PASSE enrollment is based on assessed need, not a wait list.

Apply for Medicaid first.

Steps

  1. Get full Medicaid first.
  2. Get an Independent Assessment, or join the CES Waiver or its waitlist.
  3. DHS enrolls you in a PASSE health plan.
  4. Meet your care coordinator and make a person-centered service plan.
  5. During open enrollment, call 1-833-402-0672 by October 31 to switch plans.

Have these ready

  • Medicaid number
  • Independent Assessment results
  • CES Waiver letter, if any

About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas

Brain injury, HIV, and complex medical needs

Arkansas' Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA-like) No waiting list

Children under 19 with a disability who live at home and would otherwise need institutional care. Parent income does not block eligibility, but some families pay a sliding premium.

Start with: Your DHS county office · (855) 372-1084 · Website (opens in a new tab)

DHS pages do not describe a wait list for TEFRA.

Medicaid eligibility is decided as part of the waiver.

Steps

  1. Get the TEFRA application packet.
  2. Fill it out and give it to your local DHS county office.
  3. Send the medical records the packet asks for.
  4. If approved, pay the premium if one applies to your family.
  5. Call 1-855-372-1084 with questions.

Have these ready

  • TEFRA application packet
  • Child's medical records
  • Family income papers
  • Child's Social Security number

About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas

Older adults and people with physical disabilities

Choices in Homecare Waiver No waiting list

Adults 21 to 64 with a physical disability, or people 65 and older, who meet intermediate nursing home level of care, meet financial rules and need at least one service.

Start with: Choices in Living Resource Center (Arkansas DAABHS) · (866) 801-3435 · Website (opens in a new tab)

Arkansas reported no waiting list for older adults and adults with physical disabilities in the 2026 KFF survey.

Medicaid eligibility is decided as part of the waiver.

Steps

  1. Call the Choices in Living Resource Center at 1-866-801-3435.
  2. Ask to apply for ARChoices in Homecare.
  3. A nurse checks if you meet nursing home level of care.
  4. Apply for Medicaid through your DHS county office or Access Arkansas.
  5. Pick a provider for your services.

Have these ready

  • Social Security number
  • Proof of income
  • Bank statements
  • Medical information

Apply or start here (opens in a new tab) · About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas

Living Choices Assisted Living Waiver No waiting list

People 65 and older, or adults 21 to 64 with a physical disability, who meet intermediate nursing home level of care, meet financial rules and need at least one service in an assisted living facility.

Start with: Choices in Living Resource Center (Arkansas DAABHS) or DHS county office · (866) 801-3435 · Website (opens in a new tab)

Arkansas reported no waiting list for older adults and adults with physical disabilities in the 2026 KFF survey.

Medicaid eligibility is decided as part of the waiver.

Steps

  1. Call your local DHS county office or the Choices in Living Resource Center at 1-866-801-3435.
  2. Ask about the Living Choices assisted living program.
  3. Get a level of care assessment.
  4. Apply for Medicaid.
  5. Choose a participating assisted living facility.

Have these ready

  • Social Security number
  • Proof of income
  • Bank statements
  • Medical information

Apply or start here (opens in a new tab) · About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas

Other programs

Community and Employment Support Waiver Has a waiting list

Arkansans of any age with an intellectual or developmental disability expected to last indefinitely who need substantial support in at least 3 life areas.

Start with: Arkansas DDS Intake and Referral · (501) 683-5687 · Website (opens in a new tab)

There is a waitlist. People move into slots in the order they were added. DDS sends a letter each year to update contact information.

Medicaid eligibility is decided as part of the waiver.

Steps

  1. Call DDS Intake and Referral at 501-683-5687, or submit an online request for services.
  2. Send medical records so the clinical team can check level of care.
  3. If approved, your name goes on the CES Waiver waitlist.
  4. While you wait, apply for Medicaid, ARKids First or TEFRA at access.arkansas.gov.
  5. When a slot opens, DDS contacts you to start the waiver.

Have these ready

  • Medical records with diagnosis
  • Psychological or developmental evaluations
  • Social Security number
  • Proof of income for Medicaid

Apply or start here (opens in a new tab) · About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas

Rules change. Check with the agency before you rely on this. Checked October 2026.

How Arkansas pays for services

Arkansas ranks 50 of 51 on Medicaid waiver funding for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. See its spending, waiting list, every named program, service rates, and its vocational rehabilitation agency.

Open the Funding Atlas for Arkansas

How Arkansas is graded

F

Rank 50 of 51 on State of Support

ConnectIDD's report card for services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

  • Access to servicesF
  • Community livingF
  • Family supportF
  • Real workF
  • Direct support workforceF
  • Quality of lifeD+
  • State investmentD+
  • TransparencyC-

Open the full report card

A smiling teenager in a wheelchair with a backpack and sun hat rolls down a ramp.

A map for every stage of your family's journey in Arkansas

Eight stages most families of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities pass through, from the first diagnosis to planning for the years ahead. Each stage shows what to do now, what to start planning, and the services to look for nearby, with a free printable guide.

  1. Diagnosis
  2. Early childhood
  3. School years
  4. Transition
  5. After graduation
  6. A place to live
  7. Work
  8. The future

Open The Family Journey Download the free guide (PDF)