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Social Security disability

Disability benefits in Arkansas

Social Security rules are the same in every state. This page covers what is different in Arkansas: who decides your claim, state money added to SSI, Medicaid, hearings and free help.

You have 60 days to appeal each decision, plus 5 days for mail.

How to appeal a denialAppeal deadline calculator

Who decides your claim in Arkansas?

Disability Determination for Social Security Administration (DDSSA)

This state agency has an agreement with Social Security to decide the medical part of disability claims for people in Arkansas. It does not send Social Security checks, issue Social Security cards, or take disability applications from the public.

Part of
State of Arkansas (its own state agency)
Mail
701 Pulaski Street, Little Rock, AR 72201

If medical records are missing, or more exams or tests are needed, the agency sets up a consultative exam and pays for it. Your own doctor is usually the first choice to do the exam.

Find a Social Security office

Does Arkansas add money to SSI?

Arkansas has no state supplement for people who apply for SSI now. Social Security still adds a small state amount for a few people who got state aid before 1974.

Medicaid in Arkansas

If you get SSI in Arkansas, you also get Medicaid. You do not need a separate Medicaid application. Social Security sends your information to the state.

Program
Arkansas Medicaid
Medicaid agency
Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of County Operations
https://humanservices.arkansas.gov/divisions-shared-services/medical-services/healthcare-programs/
1-855-372-1084 (statewide; TDD 501-682-8820)

Medicaid for working people with disabilities: Workers with Disabilities

This program gives full Medicaid to people with disabilities who have a job. You must be 16 to 65, be working, and have a disability decision from Social Security. There is no limit on money you earn from work, as long as it is reported to the IRS. Money you get from other sources, like Social Security or VA benefits, cannot be more than the SSDI or SSI payment amount plus $20. Apply at access.arkansas.gov or at your local county DHS office.

https://humanservices.arkansas.gov/divisions-shared-services/county-operations/health-care-programs/workers-with-disabilities/

State disability and paid leave in Arkansas

Arkansas has no state-run short-term disability or paid medical leave program listed here.

Hearing offices and federal court in Arkansas

2 hearing offices serve Arkansas. Hearing office locator (Social Security)

Fort Smith, AR Hearing Office

Hearing office

Address
Central Mall, Suite 475, 5111 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72903-2034
Fax
(833) 302-0018

Little Rock, AR Hearing Office

Hearing office

Address
2405 Federal Office Building, 700 West Capitol Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72201
Fax
(833) 561-0423

Federal district court

If you appeal to federal court, you file in the district court that covers your county.

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas

Counties covered (41)
  • Cleburne
  • Cleveland
  • Conway
  • Dallas
  • Drew
  • Faulkner
  • Grant
  • Jefferson
  • Lincoln
  • Lonoke
  • Perry
  • Pope
  • Prairie
  • Pulaski
  • Saline
  • Stone
  • Van Buren
  • White
  • Yell
  • Arkansas
  • Chicot
  • Crittenden
  • Desha
  • Lee
  • Monroe
  • Phillips
  • St. Francis
  • Clay
  • Craighead
  • Cross
  • Fulton
  • Greene
  • Independence
  • Izard
  • Jackson
  • Lawrence
  • Mississippi
  • Poinsett
  • Randolph
  • Sharp
  • Woodruff

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas

Court help for people without a lawyer

Counties covered (34)
  • Hempstead
  • Howard
  • Lafayette
  • Little River
  • Miller
  • Nevada
  • Sevier
  • Ashley
  • Bradley
  • Calhoun
  • Columbia
  • Ouachita
  • Union
  • Crawford
  • Franklin
  • Johnson
  • Logan
  • Polk
  • Scott
  • Sebastian
  • Baxter
  • Boone
  • Carroll
  • Marion
  • Newton
  • Searcy
  • Benton
  • Madison
  • Washington
  • Clark
  • Garland
  • Hot Spring
  • Montgomery
  • Pike

Free help in Arkansas

Protection & Advocacy agency (P&A)

Disability Rights Arkansas

Phone
501-296-1775 (toll-free 800-482-1174, voice/TDD)

Legal aid

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)

Arkansas Rehabilitation Services (Arkansas Division of Workforce Services)

ABLE savings account

AR ABLE Plan

More free help across the country →

Good to know in Arkansas

  • Arkansas Workers with Disabilities Medicaid has no limit on earned income, as long as it is reported to the IRS. (Arkansas DHS)
  • Arkansas has no state supplement to SSI for new applicants. (POMS SI 01415.010)

More RobinClaim guides for Arkansas → · All states

Sources

Last checked: November 2026