Arkansas State Adoption Assistance Program

Arkansas’s state-specific medical assistance information

Arkansas’s adoption assistance information

Arkansas Subchapter 4 – Arkansas Subsidized Adoption Act

Family Services Policy and Procedure Manual (PDF), Policy (VIII-I): Adoption Subsidy of December 2022

In Arkansas a child is defined as having special needs if the child has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Severe medical or psychological needs that require ongoing rehabilitation or treatment
• Two years of age or older and a child of color
• Nine years of age or older and white
• A member of any sibling group being placed together who share at least one biological parent and who have either lived together or otherwise developed a bond before adoptive placement,
• At high risk for the development of a serious physical, mental, or emotional condition, if a medical professional specializing in the area provides documentation of the condition for which the child is considered at risk. No adoption assistance payment can be made until there is documentation that the child has developed the actual condition.

Basic rates based on age

Children who received a foster care rate higher than the standard foster care rate may receive adoption assistance benefits up to their foster care rate. Children who receive SSI can receive an adoption assistance rate up to the SSI rate plus $460 per month. For other children, if their foster care rate was more than $460 above the regular foster care rate, $460 plus the basic rate is the maximum adoption assistance rate allowed.

Adoption assistance may be continued until age 21 if it is determined that the youth has a mental or physical disability that warrants continuation of the adoption assistance.  If the child was adopted at age 16 or older, the adoption subsidy may be extended until age 21 under different circumstances.

Arkansas has a subsidized guardianship program, more information is available by calling 501-682-1585 or visiting the following sites:

Subsidized Guardianship brochure

Brochure explaining the differences between adoption and guardianship and permanent custody

A Relative’s Guide to the Arkansas Child Welfare System

Arkansas income tax allows for a credit of 20 percent of the federal adoption tax credit claimed on IRS Form 8839. To claim any state credit, parents will need to fill out AR1000TC Schedule of Tax Credits., which is available HERE.