Arkansas authorizes federal spending for Social Security disability reviews

The law sets aside up to $77,845,835 in federal money for the agency’s staff and operations. The budget includes $40,705,719 for regular salaries and $13,926,285 for professional services, along with employee benefit costs and other operating expenses. Spending cannot exceed the amounts authorized or the money available by law. The agency must follow applicable state purchasing, budgeting, and payroll rules. The law took effect July 1, 2026. The spending authorization covers the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.

The law sets the agency’s regular staff limit at 594 employees and allows up to 20 temporary or part-time workers. The regular staff schedule assigns pay grades to disability claim reviewers, medical specialists, and support staff. Temporary or part-time workers may be hired when needed, using money set aside for that purpose. Their pay cannot exceed the applicable limits in state pay law or this act. These staffing limits apply to the 2026–2027 fiscal year.

The agency director may establish up to 250 additional full-time jobs. These jobs are in addition to the 594 regular positions. The Office of Personnel Management must approve the jobs, and the director must first seek review by the Arkansas Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee. The jobs must meet agency needs or federal requirements for new or expanded programs, and federal money must finance those needs. To continue these jobs, the agency must request them as new positions in its budget request. This authority applies only from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.