Written & Reviewed by
Last updated: 27 May 2026
Bottom Line: In Arkansas, the main Medicaid path for assisted living is Living Choices. It can help pay for care services in a participating Level II assisted living facility. It does not pay the full housing bill. Families still need a plan for room and board, deposits, extra fees, and any private-pay time before approval. Veterans and surviving spouses may also check VA Aid and Attendance. In some counties, the PACE program may be a better fit than moving into assisted living.
Emergency help now
If the older adult is unsafe, facing discharge, or at risk of losing care, handle safety first.
- Immediate danger: call 911.
- Abuse, neglect, or exploitation: call Adult Protective Services at 1-800-482-8049.
- Billing, discharge, transfer, or resident-rights problem: use the Arkansas ombudsman finder and keep a written copy of every notice.
- Need local emergency help: our emergency assistance guide may help you find food, utility, housing, and charity contacts while the long-term care plan is being reviewed.
Quick help: where to start first
- Low income and daily care need: call Choices in Living at 1-866-801-3435 and ask about LTSS Medicaid and Living Choices.
- Veteran or surviving spouse: start the VA path the same week. A county or state service officer can help for free.
- In a PACE county: call PACE before paying a large move-in fee. PACE may keep the person safely at home.
- Bill due now: Medicaid and VA are not instant. Ask the facility for a written bridge plan before signing.
Best first moves in Arkansas
| Situation | Best first move | Reality check |
|---|---|---|
| Low-income senior needs help with bathing, dressing, medicine, or supervision | Call Choices in Living and apply for LTSS Medicaid | Living Choices may cover care, but room and board still needs a cash plan |
| Adult age 21 to 64 with a physical disability | Ask DHS about LTSS options | Living Choices and ARChoices may fit only if care and financial rules are met |
| Income is over the Medicaid limit | Ask DHS about an Income Trust | Do this before giving up, but get help setting it up correctly |
| Veteran or surviving spouse | Use the Arkansas VSO network | VA money can help with the gap, but claims can take time |
| Lives in a PACE service area | Call the PACE site first | PACE is not assisted living rent help; it is a care model |
| Facility is threatening discharge | Call the ombudsman and ask for notices in writing | You need rights help and a payment plan at the same time |
| Assisted living is still too costly | Check home care, PACE, housing, or charity backup | The safer answer may be a different setting, not a bill you cannot keep paying |
Contents
- Arkansas payment map
- Medicaid Living Choices
- Room and board gap
- If over Medicaid limits
- Veterans and spouses
- PACE in Arkansas
- How to start
- Document checklist
- Reality checks
- Denied or delayed
- Backup options
- Local resources
The Arkansas payment map for assisted living
Most families need more than one payment source. Medicaid may help with care. Social Security, VA benefits, savings, long-term care insurance, or family help may have to cover the housing part. Medicare long-term care rules are also important because Medicare does not pay for ongoing custodial long-term care.
| Payment route | What it may help pay | Main limit | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Living Choices Medicaid | Care services in a participating Level II assisted living facility | Does not pay room and board | Low-income seniors and adults with physical disabilities who meet care rules |
| Social Security or SSI | Resident share, room and board, and personal costs | May not be enough by itself | Residents with monthly income |
| VA pension with Aid and Attendance | Monthly cash that can help with care and housing gaps | Separate federal claim and not always fast | Wartime veterans and some surviving spouses |
| PACE | Medical care, long-term care, transportation, and support in certain counties | Not statewide and not a rent subsidy | Age 55 or older, nursing-home level care, safe in the community |
| Private pay or insurance | Move-in, deposits, gap months, and non-covered charges | Can run out quickly | Families that need placement before benefits are approved |
| Home care or housing pivot | Lower-cost care plan outside assisted living | May require family support or safe housing | Families who cannot make assisted living work |
For a broader view of state programs, the Arkansas benefits guide can help you compare food, housing, utility, tax, and health programs that may free up money for care.
Arkansas Medicaid Living Choices
Living Choices is Arkansas’s main assisted living Medicaid route. Arkansas says it is for adults age 65 or older, or age 21 through 64 with a physical disability, who meet financial rules, meet nursing home admission criteria at the intermediate level, and need at least one covered service.
The care rule matters. A person who needs only light help may not qualify. A person who needs skilled nursing care may also be the wrong fit for this waiver. DHS says assisted living facility services require an intermediate level of care, decided by the Office of Long Term Care.
For 2026, the Arkansas DHS quick chart lists the Nursing Facility, Assisted Living, ARChoices, and DDS waiver income limit as $2,982 a month. It lists the resource limit as $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple when both are applying. The chart also says a community spouse may be able to keep a portion of the couple’s resources, up to $162,660, based on a formula.
That $2,982 limit comes from three times the federal SSI amount. The 2026 SSI amount is $994 for one eligible person. Do not use that number as a promise of eligibility. DHS still reviews income type, resources, transfers, care need, and program fit.
What Living Choices may cover
- Help with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, toileting, eating, and mobility.
- Supervision and support in a participating Level II assisted living facility.
- Some health and social services tied to the person’s plan of care.
- Regular Medicaid health coverage for people who remain Medicaid eligible.
What it usually does not cover
- Room and board.
- Move-in fees or deposits.
- Extra charges the facility lists outside covered services.
- Care in a facility that is not a participating Medicaid waiver provider.
If the person also has Medicare, check whether the Medicare Savings guide may help with Medicare costs. Reducing Medicare premiums or cost sharing may leave more monthly income for room and board.
The room and board gap
The biggest surprise is usually this: Medicaid may approve care, but the resident still owes housing costs. Arkansas says room and board costs are not covered by the assisted living waiver. Ask the facility for a full written price sheet before you apply or move in.
Ask for these items in writing:
- The monthly room and board amount.
- Medication management fees.
- Personal care supply charges.
- Transportation charges.
- Move-in fees, deposits, and community fees.
- Private-pay period rules before Medicaid conversion.
- What happens if Medicaid is denied or delayed.
A workable plan may look like this: Living Choices pays covered care. Social Security or SSI pays most of the room and board. VA pension, savings, or family help fills the rest. This is why families should write a monthly budget before signing. If the math only works for one or two months, keep looking.
If housing cost is the real problem, the Arkansas housing guide may be more useful than forcing an assisted living move. Lower-cost senior housing plus home care can sometimes be safer than a facility bill that will fail.
If income or assets are over Medicaid limits
Many Arkansas families are over one limit but still cannot afford assisted living. Do not assume the answer is no. Also do not give away money, sell property for less than value, or move titles around without advice. Those choices can cause a penalty or delay.
- Over the income limit: Arkansas says people with income above the LTSS limit may still qualify by using an Income Trust. Ask DHS or an elder-law attorney before setting one up.
- Over the asset limit: ask what is countable and what is excluded. The home, one vehicle, burial arrangements, and some other items may be treated differently from cash in the bank.
- Spouse at home: ask about spousal income and resource rules before spending down. The at-home spouse may have protections.
- Need care now: ask whether the facility accepts private pay first and Medicaid later. Get the answer in writing.
For families trying to compare low-income payment paths outside this state page, the low-income assisted living guide may help with the bigger payment picture.
Veterans and surviving spouses in Arkansas
If the older adult is a veteran or surviving spouse, do not wait until Medicaid is finished. Start the VA path at the same time. VA pension with Aid and Attendance can help pay for the part Medicaid does not cover, including room and board in many real budgets.
Use the Arkansas VSO map to find free local claims help. Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs lists its main phone as 1-501-683-2382.
VA rules are separate from Medicaid rules. The 2026 VA pension rates show a maximum annual pension rate of $29,093 for a veteran with no dependents who qualifies for Aid and Attendance, and $34,488 for a veteran with one dependent. The current net worth limit is $163,699 from 1 December 2025 through 30 November 2026. The 2026 Survivors Pension rates show $18,697 for a surviving spouse with no dependents who qualifies for Aid and Attendance.
Two warnings are important. First, the listed VA amount is not always the payment. VA subtracts countable income, with some medical expense deductions. Second, VA has a 3-year look-back for some asset transfers. Families should not move money just to qualify.
For Arkansas-specific veteran help beyond assisted living, the Arkansas veterans guide covers state offices, homes, burial help, and local contacts.
PACE in Arkansas
PACE is not an assisted living rent program. It is a full care model for people who are 55 or older, live in a service area, need nursing facility level care, and can live safely in the community with support. It may delay or prevent assisted living if the person still has safe housing.
| PACE site | Counties served | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| PACE of the Ozarks | Benton, Madison, Washington | 1-479-463-6600 |
| Total Life Healthcare | Craighead, Cross, Greene, Lawrence, Mississippi, Poinsett, Randolph | 1-870-207-7500 |
| Baptist Health PACE | Faulkner, Garland, Hot Spring, Lonoke, Pulaski, Saline | 1-501-363-7350 |
Call PACE first if your parent lives in one of these counties, has housing, and needs a team to manage medical care, home support, transportation, meals, therapy, and adult day services. The PACE guide explains when this model fits and when it may not.
How to start without wasting time
- Call Choices in Living: ask whether Living Choices, PACE, ARChoices, or nursing facility care is the right lane.
- Check facility status: ask each facility whether it is Level II and whether it is accepting Living Choices residents now.
- Apply early: use Access Arkansas or ask DHS how to submit the LTSS packet. Do not wait until every paper is perfect.
- Start VA if relevant: call a VSO the same week.
- Build the room-and-board plan: write down monthly income, facility charges, family help, insurance, and backup money.
- Save every notice: keep approval letters, denials, assessment dates, bank requests, and facility emails.
If online applications are confusing, the Arkansas portal guide can help seniors and caregivers use Access Arkansas without missing basic account steps.
Document checklist
Do not wait until you have every item. Send the application, then answer DHS requests quickly. Still, gathering these papers early can prevent delays.
| Type of proof | Examples to gather | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Identity and status | Social Security card, Medicare card, birth certificate, marriage or divorce papers | DHS must confirm identity, age, household, and coverage |
| Income | Social Security letter, pension letter, VA award letter, annuity records, rental income | Income decides Medicaid eligibility and possible cost share |
| Resources | Bank statements, CDs, life insurance, burial contracts, deeds, tax values, vehicle records | Resources decide whether spend-down or planning is needed |
| Care need | Doctor notes, hospital records, medication list, fall history, dementia notes, ADL help list | The state must review level of care |
| Transfers | Records for gifts, sales, title changes, or asset transfers in the last 60 months | Transfers can delay eligibility if not handled correctly |
| Facility papers | Admission agreement, fee sheet, Medicaid policy, private-pay conversion policy | This shows what Medicaid will not pay |
Reality checks in Arkansas
- Approval is not instant: financial review, medical review, and facility acceptance are separate steps.
- Provider choice is local: some areas have fewer participating assisted living options. The Health Services Permit Agency tracks long-term care capacity, but families still need to call facilities directly.
- Medicaid status is not the same as licensure: a licensed assisted living facility may still not take Living Choices.
- Extra fees matter: a small monthly fee can break the budget when income is fixed.
- Estate recovery can apply: Medicaid-paid long-term services may be recovered from an estate after death, with important exceptions.
- Care needs can change: if the resident later needs skilled nursing care, assisted living may no longer be enough.
Disabled adults and older adults with disability-related needs may also use the Arkansas disability guide to check home care, equipment, legal help, and access points.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying for basic Medicaid without saying you need long-term services and supports.
- Assuming every assisted living facility can take Medicaid.
- Signing a private-pay contract without a written Medicaid conversion answer.
- Waiting to apply until every bank statement is ready.
- Giving away money or property to qualify faster.
- Ignoring the VA path when the person is a veteran or surviving spouse.
- Counting on Medicare to pay the long-term care bill.
- Forgetting to ask about deposits, level-of-care fees, and discharge rules.
What to do if denied, delayed, or overwhelmed
- Ask for the reason in writing: the problem may be income, resources, level of care, missing documents, or facility participation.
- Watch appeal dates: the Arkansas DHS File an Appeal page says many hearing requests must be sent within 30 calendar days of the date on the letter.
- Use the ombudsman: if the resident is already in a facility and faces discharge, transfer, billing, or rights problems, call the ombudsman right away.
- Ask for a care-plan meeting: the facility should explain what level of care it can safely provide and what it will charge.
- Call local aging help: the Arkansas AAA guide can help you find the right regional aging office.
Backup options if assisted living is still not affordable
If the assisted living budget does not work, change the plan before the money runs out.
- ARChoices at home: Arkansas ARChoices can help with services such as attendant care, home-delivered meals, adult day services, respite, personal emergency response systems, and some accessibility supports.
- PACE: if the person lives in a service area and can stay safely in the community, PACE may cover many supports in one care model.
- Money Follows the Person: Arkansas Money Follows the Person may help eligible people move from an institution back into the community.
- Family caregiver help: if a relative is providing care, the family caregiver guide explains Arkansas payment paths and limits.
- Charity bridge help: churches, food programs, and local nonprofits may not pay assisted living rent, but the churches and charities guide may help with other bills while a care plan is rebuilt.
Local resources and useful contacts
| Need | Where to start | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Long-term care options | Choices in Living, 1-866-801-3435 | “Which LTSS program fits this care need?” |
| Medicaid application | Access Arkansas or local DHS office | “How do I apply for Living Choices?” |
| Veteran claim help | Arkansas Veterans Service Officer | “Can you help with VA pension and Aid and Attendance?” |
| Resident rights | Long-Term Care Ombudsman | “Can you help with discharge or billing?” |
| Abuse or neglect | Adult Maltreatment Hotline | “I need to report possible abuse or neglect.” |
| Home care instead | ARChoices, PACE, or AAA | “Can we keep care at home safely?” |
Phone scripts
Script for Choices in Living: “I am helping my parent pay for assisted living in Arkansas. They need help with daily care. Should we apply for Living Choices, PACE, ARChoices, or another LTSS program first?”
Script for a facility: “Before we tour, I need to know if you are a Level II Assisted Living Facility, if you are a Medicaid waiver provider, and if you accept new Living Choices residents. What charges stay private-pay?”
Script for a VSO: “My parent is a veteran or surviving spouse and may need assisted living. Can you help us check VA pension with Aid and Attendance and tell us what records to bring?”
Script for the ombudsman: “My family member lives in assisted living and we received a billing, transfer, or discharge notice. I need help understanding the resident’s rights and next steps.”
Resumen breve en español
Resumen: En Arkansas, la ayuda principal para pagar assisted living es Medicaid Living Choices. Este programa puede pagar servicios de cuidado en una residencia participante de Nivel II, pero no paga cuarto y comida. Esa parte normalmente se paga con Seguro Social, beneficios del VA, ahorros, seguro de cuidado a largo plazo o ayuda familiar.
Pasos rápidos: Llame a Choices in Living al 1-866-801-3435. Si la persona es veterana o cónyuge sobreviviente, llame también a un Veterans Service Officer. Si vive en un condado con PACE, pregunte si ese programa puede ayudar a mantener a la persona en la comunidad. No espere a tener todos los papeles para empezar.
FAQ
Does Arkansas Medicaid pay for assisted living?
Yes, but only through Living Choices in a participating Level II assisted living facility. Medicaid may pay covered care services. It does not pay room and board.
What is the main cost Medicaid does not cover?
Room and board is the main gap. Families usually use Social Security, SSI, VA benefits, savings, insurance, or family help for that part.
What is the 2026 Arkansas LTSS income limit?
Arkansas lists the 2026 income limit for Nursing Facility, Assisted Living, ARChoices, and DDS waiver categories as $2,982 a month. DHS still reviews the full case.
Can an over-income senior still qualify?
Possibly. Arkansas says over-income LTSS applicants may be able to qualify with an Income Trust. Ask DHS before giving up.
Can VA benefits help with assisted living in Arkansas?
Often, yes. VA pension with Aid and Attendance may help veterans and surviving spouses with care or room-and-board costs, if they meet VA rules.
Does PACE pay assisted living rent?
No. PACE is a community care program, not a rent subsidy. It may help some people avoid or delay assisted living.
What if a facility does not take Living Choices?
Ask DHS or Choices in Living about other participating Level II facilities. Also check PACE, ARChoices, and safer housing options.
What should I do if Medicaid is denied?
Ask for the denial reason in writing, check the appeal deadline, gather missing proof, and call the ombudsman if a facility discharge is involved.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
Editorial note: This guide is produced based on our Editorial Standards using official and other high-trust sources, regularly updated and monitored, but not affiliated with any government agency and not a substitute for official agency guidance. Individual eligibility outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
Verification: Last verified 27 May 2026, next review 27 August 2026.
Corrections: Please note that despite our careful verification process, errors may still occur. Email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections and we will respond within 72 hours.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal, financial, medical, tax, disability-rights, immigration, or government-agency advice. Program rules, policies, and availability can change. Readers should confirm current details directly with the official program before acting.
Last updated: 27 May 2026
Next review: 27 August 2026
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