Work requirements for public assistance in Arkansas

• Work requirements
  • Index of articles related to work requirements
  • Work requirements for public assistance in the states
  • Medicaid work requirements
  • Public housing work requirements
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) work requirements
  • Child care subsidy work requirements
• Major arguments
  • Arguments against work requirements for public assistance programs
  • Arguments in favor of work requirements for public assistance programs
• Reform proposals
  • Reform proposals related to Medicaid work requirements
  • Reform proposals related to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program work requirements
  • Reform proposals related to public housing work requirements
  • Reform proposals related to child care subsidy work requirements
• Laws
• Court cases
• Scholarly work
• Related federal agencies
  • Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture
  • U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

See also: Reform proposals related to work requirements for public assistance programs

This page provides information about work requirements for public assistance in Arkansas as of December 2024.

Work requirements for public assistance refer to conditions that require participation in employment-related activities to qualify for the assistance. These activities may include job searching, engaging in job training, volunteering, or working a specified number of hours each week.

Public assistance programs involve the division of responsibilities between the federal government and state governments. The federal government sets eligibility criteria, provides guidelines, and allocates funding for these programs, while states are responsible for administering them and, in some cases, have the authority to tailor the programs to meet local needs.

Ballotpedia has tracked work requirements in Arkansas related to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), child care subsidies, Medicaid, and public housing. Click here to see work requirements for public assistance in other states.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Previously called food stamps, the federal work requirement is generally 30 hours per week, but for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs), it is 20 hours per week. States can request temporary waivers from the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to exempt recipients from ABAWD work requirements in areas with an unemployment rate above 10% or insufficient job opportunities. ABAWDs who fail to meet the work requirement can only receive SNAP benefits for up to 3 months in a 36-month period unless they meet the requirement or are exempt.

Child care subsidies

Federal law requires parents receiving Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) subsidies to work or engage in work-related activities. States have flexibility in defining eligible activities, which may include employment, job search, self-employment, education or training, foster care, and subsidized guardianship. Employment is an approved activity for CCDF subsidies in all states, and some states also allow subsidies for education and training.

Medicaid

Medicaid work requirements are eligibility conditions that require recipients to complete certain work-related activities—such as working, pursuing education, participating in a work program, or volunteering—in order to qualify for or maintain benefits. The budget reconciliation bill that was signed into law on July 4, 2025 requires states to adopt community engagement requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents on Medicaid by January 1, 2027.

Public housing

Public housing work requirements mandate that adult residents (who are not elderly, disabled, or already employed) complete 8 hours of community service per month to remain eligible for assistance. Public housing authorities (PHAs) in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Moving to Work (MTW) Program can establish additional work requirements. PHAs must apply to the MTW program to create such requirements.

The following table outlines Arkansas' public assistance work requirements by type as of December 2024, including both state and federal requirements, as well as the options available to states for establishing or temporarily suspending work requirements.

Arkansas work requirements for public assistance, by type
Type of public assistance	Arkansas requirements	Federal requirements	State options
SNAP	No waiver as of 2024	20 hours (general)/30 hours (ABAWD)	States can request and implement temporary waivers for the ABAWD work requirements.
Child care subsidy (CCDF)	20-30 hours depending on the program	Required, but undefined	States have the authority to set work requirements for child care subsidies.
Medicaid	None	None	States can apply for Section 1115 waivers to implement work requirements, but they must receive approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Public housing	20 hours/week; all local housing authorities are required to apply to the federal government to implement work requirements	8 hours of community service	Public housing authorities must apply to the Moving to Work (MTW) Program to implement work requirements.

Work requirements by type of public assistance

Click the tabs below to learn details about each public assistance program:

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Child care subsidy (CCDF)

Medicaid

Public housing

See also: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program work requirements

Federal law establishes foundational guidelines for SNAP work requirements, setting minimum standards that include defined work hours—SNAP work requirements do not vary by state. While states do not have the authority to fully implement their own specific rules, there is some flexibility in how they administer SNAP. States can determine the specifics of work requirements, define acceptable work activities, and establish processes for tracking compliance.

Arkansas SNAP work requirements

The general SNAP work requirement in Arkansas is 20 hours per week. Additionally, for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs), the requirement is to work at least 80 hours per month or 20 hours per week. As of the fourth quarter of the 2024 fiscal year, Arkansas does not have a waiver for work requirements.

Arkansas code regarding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) work requirements

The following is the text of the Arkansas code regarding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) work requirements:

Rule 016.20.16-007 - SNAP 3000 Work Requirements

“

3100 Work Registration Requirements - Summary The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 requires all able-bodied participating adults, with specific exceptions, to meet certain work-related requirements. These requirements are prerequisites to eligibility and certification that cannot be waived. (See SNAP 9443 for procedures on expedited applications.) Work registrants must: Respond to any requests from an eligibility worker for information regarding employment status or availability for work. Accept a bona fide offer of suitable employment at a wage not less than the higher of the applicable state or federal minimum wage. Continue employment at a suitable job. Avoid reducing one's work effort to less than 30 hours per week. See SNAP 3400 for additional information. Voluntary Quit Any individual who is not otherwise exempt from the work registration requirements will be subject to sanction if he or she voluntarily quits a job without good cause or voluntarily reduces his or her work effort to less than 30 hours per week. See SNAP 3401.1. Requirement to Work (RTW) An Able Bodied Adult without Dependents or Able Bodied Adult eligibility is limited to any 3 months in a 3 year period of receiving benefits. Any individual subject to the Requirement to Work (RTW) will be ineligible to receive SNAP benefits if, during a 3 year period, he or she received SNAP benefits for at least three months while he or she did not work at least an average of 80 hours per month or participate in and comply with a specified work program. See SNAP 3500. The 3 month time limit does not apply to individuals who are: 1) 17 or younger; 2) 50 or older; 3) medically certified as physically or mentally incapacitated for employment; 4) responsible for a dependent child or residing in a SNAP household where a household member is age 17 or younger; 5) pregnant or 6) otherwise exempt from the work registration requirements. 3200 Who is Exempt from Work RegistrationE&T Program In certain locations the SNAP E&T Program is available to household members subject to the Requirement to Work. See SNAP 3600. Workfare Program Certain non-exempt work registrants may perform public service activities as a condition of receiving SNAP benefits. See SNAP 3700.

”

Arkansas SNAP manual

Federal SNAP work requirements

See also: U.S. Department of Agriculture

SNAP has two types of work requirements: general work requirements and able-bodied adult without dependents (ABAWD) work requirements. The following sections provide information about the two types of SNAP work requirements.

General SNAP work requirements

General SNAP work requirements mandate that individuals aged 16 to 59 who can work must complete the following work-related activities:

• Register for work
• Participate in SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) programs
• Take a suitable job if it is offered
• Not voluntarily quit a job or reduce work hours below 30 hours a week without cause.

Individuals do not have to register for general work requirements if they already meet the following conditions when they apply for SNAP benefits:

• Work at least 30 hours a week
• Meet work requirements for another public benefits program
• Care for a child under six years old or an incapacitated person
• Are unable to work due to a physical or mental limitation
• Are participating in an alcohol or drug treatment program
• Are studying in school
• Are attending a training program

Able-bodied adult without dependents (ABAWD) work requirements for SNAP

The ABAWD (Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents) work requirement under SNAP applies to individuals aged 18 to 64 without children. To remain eligible for SNAP, ABAWDs must meet one of the following work-related activities:

• Work or Volunteer: At least 80 hours per month (about 20 hours per week).
• Participate in a Work Program: Participate in a federal, state, or local work program, such as SNAP Education and Training (E&T), for at least 80 hours per month.

Time Limit for ABAWDs

ABAWDs who do not meet the work requirement can only receive SNAP benefits for three months in a 36-month period. After reaching this time limit, they lose eligibility for benefits unless they start meeting the work requirement.

Requalifying for SNAP Benefits

If an ABAWD loses eligibility due to failing to meet the work requirement, they can requalify for benefits by meeting the work requirement for 30 consecutive days. However, if they do not meet the work requirement within this 30-day period, they will be ineligible for SNAP for the next three years.

Time Limit Waivers

States can request temporary waivers for ABAWD work requirements in areas where jobs are scarce. These waivers apply in places with an unemployment rate above 10%, or in noncontiguous states (Alaska and Hawaii) if the unemployment rate is at or above 1.5 times the national unemployment rate.

As of the third quarter of the 2025 fiscal year, three states had full ABAWD time limit waivers, and 25 states had waivers for specific counties with high unemployment.

See also: Child care subsidy work requirements

States are responsible for defining the activities that qualify a family for child care subsidies through the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), such as work requirements, education participation, and community service. Employment is an approved activity for CCDF funding in every state and some states also approve subsidies for parents participating in education and training activities.

Arkansas child care subsidy (CCDF) work requirements

The following is the text of the Arkansas child care work requirements definition:

“

"Working is defined as actively engaging in employment for cash, check, or in-kind payments. Arkansas continuously monitors the eligibility work requirements per programs. Programs with an hour requirement ranges from 20 hours or income ineligible for TEA ($223 per month) or up to 30 hour or more."

”

Federal child care subsidy work requirements

Federal law requires that parents receiving CCDF child care subsidies work or complete work-related activities. States are responsible for defining the activities that qualify a family for assistance through CCDF, including work requirements, education participation, and community service. Employment is an approved activity for CCDF funding in every state and some states also approve subsidies for parents participating in education and training activities. Working, periods of job search, self-employment, attending job training or education-related activities, foster care, and subsidized guardianship are activities that meet eligibility standards for CCDF subsidies in different states. State agencies have flexibility in determining eligibility for CCDF subsidies, according to HHS regulations.

See also: Medicaid work requirements

Medicaid work requirements are mandated work-related activities that Medicaid recipients must complete to qualify for benefits, such as applying for a job, interviewing for a job, or participating in job training or volunteer activities. Section 1115 of the Social Security Act of 1935 allows states to apply to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for approval to develop state-level Medicaid work requirement programs.

Arkansas Medicaid work requirements

There are no Medicaid work requirements in Arkansas.

Arkansas' Medicaid history includes a significant legal battle over work requirements for eligibility, beginning with the state's submission of a Section 1115 waiver on June 30, 2017. CMS approved the waiver on March 5, 2018, and Arkansas implemented the work requirements on June 1, 2018. However, legal challenges followed when Charles Gresham and others sued HHS Secretary Alex Azar. A federal district court ruled on March 27, 2019, that CMS's approval was unlawful for failing to consider Medicaid’s primary objective of furnishing medical assistance. The D.C. Circuit upheld this ruling on February 14, 2020. The U.S. Supreme Court dismissed Azar v. Gresham as moot on April 18, 2022, after CMS withdrew Arkansas’ waiver, effectively ending the state’s effort to implement Medicaid work requirements.

Federal Medicaid work requirements

Federal law does not universally impose work requirements for Medicaid until 2027. Instead, work requirements have been introduced through state-level waivers under Section 1115 of the Social Security Act. These waivers allow states to experiment with different approaches to Medicaid, including work-related criteria. As of 2024, only Georgia has a Medicaid work requirement.

See also: Public housing work requirements

Public housing work requirements are mandated work-related activities that public housing recipients must complete to maintain eligibility for housing assistance, such as applying for a job, interviewing for a job, or participating in job training or volunteer activities.

Arkansas public housing work requirements

There are 131 public housing authorities (PHAs) in Arkansas. One PHA is part of the Move to Work (MTW) program and does not list work requirements in its annual applications.

However, the Arkansas General Assembly approved House Bill 1196 on February 27, 2023, which requires able-bodied adults to work, volunteer, or participate in a workforce training program for at least 20 hours per week. The law required local public housing authorities (PHAs) to seek approval from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by January 1, 2025, to implement the work requirements. The new law applies to adults from 19-64 ages who are not pregnant, disabled, receiving unemployment compensation, or participating in a drug treatment program, and do not have kids under five. If the work requirements are unmet, the law requires PHAs to terminate the lease agreements after 60 days. Local PHAs receive federal funding and must meet guidelines set by HUD.

Federal public housing work requirements

The federally required work-related activity is eight hours of community service per month for adult residents of public housing who are not elderly, disabled, or already working. Public housing authorities (PHAs) in the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Move to Work (MTW) program have the flexibility to implement additional work requirements.

Of the 123 public housing authorities (PHAs) authorized to establish work requirements under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Move to Work (MTW) Demonstration Program, 17 had work requirements as of January 9, 2024.

Public housing authorities with work requirements

Noteworthy events

• Arkansas Governor applies to CMS for waiver to implement work requirements for Medicaid (2025): On January 28, 2025, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) submitted a request to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for a section 1115 waiver in order to implement a program that requires able-bodied Medicaid recipients aged 19-64 to work in order to receive benefits. The proposed amendment does not set a minimum number of hours that individuals must work per month in order to receive benefits and instead focuses on personal development plans to increase individuals’ wages and hours worked.

• New Arkansas public housing work requirements (2023): The Arkansas General Assembly approved House Bill 1196 on February 27, 2023, which requires able-bodied adults to work, volunteer, or participate in a workforce training program for at least 20 hours per week. The law required local public housing authorities (PHAs) to seek approval from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by January 1, 2025, to implement the work requirements. The new law applies to adults from 19-64 ages who are not pregnant, disabled, receiving unemployment compensation, or participating in a drug treatment program, and do not have kids under five. If the work requirements are unmet, the law requires PHAs to terminate the lease agreements after 60 days. Local PHAs receive federal funding and must meet guidelines set by HUD.

• Azar v. Gresham (2020): Arkansas submitted a Section 1115 waiver to establish work requirements for Medicaid eligibility on June 30, 2017. CMS approved Arkansas' waiver on March 5, 2018. Arkansas implemented work requirements for Medicaid eligibility on June 1, 2018. Charles Gresham and nine other Arkansas citizens sued HHS Secretary Alex Azar in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia on August 14, 2018. The court on March 27, 2019, ruled that CMS approval of Arkansas' work requirements for Medicaid coverage was unlawful because the secretary acted in an "arbitrary and capricious manner because he failed to analyze whether the demonstrations would promote the primary objective of Medicaid—to furnish medical assistance." A three-judge panel from the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, on February 14, 2020, unanimously affirmed the United States District Court for the District of Columbia’s decision ruling that the Arkansas Medicaid work requirement program was unlawful because it failed to consider the impact on coverage. The U.S. Supreme Court, on April 18, 2022, dismissed Azar v. Gresham as moot after CMS withdrew the waiver.

See also

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program work requirements
• Medicaid work requirements
• Public housing work requirements
• Child care subsidy work requirements

External links

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