Medicaid eligibility in Arkansas
The 2026 poverty guideline for four people in Arkansas is $33,000. Arkansas has adopted Medicaid expansion. Many adults qualify near 138 percent of poverty, about $22,025 a year for one person. This site does not approve or deny benefits. A missing figure stays blank. We do not guess it.
Simple answer
Yes, many low-income adults can qualify.
In Arkansas, many adults qualify around 138% of the poverty line. For one adult, that is about $22,025 a year.
Who is inside Medicaid or CHIP on the rules we can verify? A household of four is measured against $33,000. Arkansas has adopted the ACA Medicaid expansion.
The largest 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent gap among ranked metros in Arkansas is $180: Memphis at $1,301 and Little Rock at $1,121.
Arkansas taxes wages at rates up to 3.90%. Combined state and local sales tax is 9.5%. The ACS effective property tax rate is 0.52%.
A household of four with $48,000 of income is about 145 percent of the $33,000 poverty guideline and is a maybe for Medicaid and CHIP. Maybe — a state pathway is unverified or only part of the household fits.
Limits behind the page
| Household | 100% | 138% | 185% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $15,960 | $22,025 | $29,526 |
| 2 | $21,640 | $29,863 | $40,034 |
| 3 | $27,320 | $37,702 | $50,542 |
| 4 | $33,000 | $45,540 | $61,050 |
An illustrative household
Two adults, ages 34 and 32, filing jointly, plus children ages 8 and 3. Gross income $48,000 a year, about 145 percent of the poverty guideline in Arkansas. They rent. Nobody is marked disabled or pregnant.
Medicaid and CHIP
MaybeMaybe — a state pathway is unverified or only part of the household fits
- This household is at 145 percent of the 2026 poverty guideline for Arkansas ($33,000). 138 percent of that guideline is $45,540.
- Children above 138 percent of poverty may still qualify for CHIP. The CHIP ceiling in Arkansas is not verified in the dataset.
- Arkansas expanded Medicaid, and this income is over the 138 percent adult limit. Marketplace coverage is the next place to look.
Related guides in Arkansas
- Find your deposit day in Arkansas
- Check SNAP work rules in Arkansas
- Check Medicaid work rules in Arkansas
- Estimate my SNAP in Arkansas
- 2027 Social Security and SSI raise
- 2027 open enrollment in Arkansas
- Winter heating help in Arkansas
- Lost SNAP in Arkansas: what to do next
- Stolen EBT card help in Arkansas
- See what EBT can buy in Arkansas
Last checked: October 15, 2026
Sources
- KFF Medicaid expansion status as of October 2026, and the ACA adult group at 133 percent of poverty plus the 5 percent income disregard
- HHS poverty guidelines for 2026
What changed
- October 15, 2026. The benefit rules file was checked against the sources listed here.
- January 15, 2026. HHS published the 2026 poverty guidelines in the Federal Register.
Other programs in Arkansas
- Food stamps (SNAP)
- WIC
- School meals
- LIHEAP
- Earned Income Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Marketplace subsidies
- Lifeline
- SSI
- State programs
Large metros in Arkansas
- Memphis, TN-MS-AR · 2-bedroom FMR $1,301
- Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR · 2-bedroom FMR $1,121
- Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR · 2-bedroom FMR $1,256