READY TO USE
Applying for food, cash help, or AHCCCS through DES
A client needs SNAP (food stamps), Cash Assistance, or AHCCCS health coverage, or is losing it.
What changed
Recent change
Federal changes in 2025 widened the SNAP work rules and will add AHCCCS work rules and 6-month renewals for many adults in January 2027.
Start here
Do this today
- 1
Apply at Health-e-Arizona Plus (healthearizonaplus.gov). One application covers SNAP, Cash Assistance, and AHCCCS. Save the confirmation number.
- 2
If the household has little or no money today, say so. Emergency SNAP can be decided within 7 days.
- 3
Do the interview. Do not wait for DES to call. Call the statewide interview line, Monday to Friday, 7 AM to 3 PM.
- 4
Set up the client’s online account and update the address and phone every time they change. Letters go to the address on file.
- 5
Write down the renewal date and any deadline on every letter. Missing a letter is the most common way people lose benefits.
Real starting points
Who to call
Health-e-Arizona Plus (apply and check status)
- Phone
- 1-855-432-7587
- Hours
- Apply online any time. Call to request a mailed application or ask about a case.
- Who qualifies
- Arizona residents applying for SNAP, Cash Assistance, or AHCCCS. Each program has its own income and other rules.
- Next step
- Apply online with the client, or call to have an application mailed.
DES statewide interview line
- Phone
- 855-777-8590
- Hours
- Phone interviews Monday to Friday, 7 AM to 3 PM. In-person interviews Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. Closed holidays.
- Who qualifies
- Anyone who has applied and needs to complete the eligibility interview.
- Next step
- Call with the confirmation number to complete the interview instead of waiting for a call.
Get ready
What to bring
- ID and Social Security numbers for everyone applying
- Proof of income for the last 30 days, or a statement of no income
- Citizenship or immigration documents
- Rent and utility bills (they can raise the SNAP amount)
- Proof of address if they have one. No address does not stop an application.
Avoid a dead end
What usually goes wrong
- Missing the interview because the phone is off or full. Call the interview line instead of waiting.
- Missing mail. Renewal and information requests go to the address on file.
- Assuming someone is exempt from SNAP work rules. Being homeless, a veteran, or a former foster youth no longer exempts someone by itself.
- Waiting too long to appeal a denial or cut. SNAP appeals are due within 90 days, Cash Assistance and AHCCCS within 30 days.
- Not asking to keep benefits during an appeal. Ask within 10 days of the notice.
Use your own words
What to say
I’m helping someone apply for food, cash help, and AHCCCS. They have very little money right now. Can this be reviewed for emergency SNAP? What do they need for the interview, and how do we schedule it?
Check the fit
If your client is...
65+
Older adults are not under the SNAP work rules. Ask the Senior HELP LINE at 602-264-4357 for help with forms.
Families with kids
List every child. Children can qualify even when a parent does not.
Veterans
Veterans no longer get an automatic SNAP work-rule exemption. Check whether a disability exemption applies.
Disability
Say so on the application and bring proof. Exemptions are not automatic.
Has a record
A record does not by itself stop SNAP or AHCCCS. Answer the questions honestly and ask DES about any specific rule.
Limited English
Ask DES for an interpreter for the interview.
Youth 18 to 24
A young adult may apply as their own household depending on who they live and buy food with. Ask DES.
Keep a second door open
If this fails
Application stuck: call 1-855-432-7587 with the confirmation number and ask what is missing. Benefits denied or cut: appeal in writing, by phone, or through Health-e-Arizona Plus before the deadline on the notice. No food tonight: call 2-1-1.
Practice itOne scenario, about 15 minutes
A fictional man, 52, lives in his car and works about 20 hours a week. He has SNAP and AHCCCS. He missed a call from DES and has an unopened letter. He says homeless people don’t have to do the work rules.
- What do you do with the letter today?
Open it together, find the deadline, and call the interview line or DES the same day.
- Is he exempt from the SNAP work rules?
Not just for being homeless. He needs 80 hours a month of work, training, or volunteering unless another exemption applies.
- What stops this from happening again?
Set up his online account, update his phone and address, and write down his renewal date.
After-action review
- What was supposed to happen?
- What happened?
- Why was there a difference?
- What will you do differently?