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Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP)

The Department of Economic Security (DES) is pleased to announce the Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP). The goal of the project is to increase Nutrition Assistance (NA) participation among the elderly population by simplifying the application, interview, and verification processes.

Eligibility

Households may be eligible for ESAP when all members applying are:

  • Age 60 years old or older 
  • Have no earned or self-employment income

Exception: Working in exchange for something other than money, such as meals, housing, clothing, or other needs, is not considered countable income for ESAP.

Special Considerations

NA households that meet ESAP criteria are given all of the following additional considerations:

  • A shorter and simpler application
  • A longer approval period of 36 months during which they will receive Nutrition Assistance
  • No required contact with DES halfway through the approval period (known as the Mid-Approval Contact)
  • An interview may not be required to renew benefits
  • Fewer changes that are required to be reported
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How to Apply

Submitting your application starts the application process.  The following are ways that you can apply for ESAP:

How to Provide Your Information

Mail your information to:

Arizona Department of Economic Security Family Assistance Administration
ESAP Unit
P.O. Box 19009
Phoenix, Arizona 85005-9009

FAX information to:

(602) 257-7031 (Area codes 602, 480, and 623)
(844) 680-9840 (Toll Free from any other area code)

Standard Medical Deduction

ESAP households may receive one of the following deductions from their income, whichever is greater:

  • The Standard Medical Deduction (SMD) net amount is $145 ($180 minus $35 disregard equals $145) (Effective date: 08/01/2023)
  • An actual monthly out-of-pocket medical expense deduction, minus a $35 disregard when expenses exceed the $145 SMD amount. (Effective date: 08/01/2023)

Allowable medical expenses include any of the following:

  • Service animals
  • Medical and dental care costs
  • Prescription drugs, over the counter medicines, and postage for mail order prescription drugs (when approved by a medically qualified source such as a doctor, physician assistant, psychiatrist or nurse practitioner)
  • Medical supplies such as oxygen, syringes, sickroom equipment, rental fees for prescribed equipment
  • Transportation cost for doctor visits
  • Hospital, nursing home care, or outpatient treatment costs
  • Medicare (when not paid by the state) and medical insurance premiums
  • The initial purchase, replacement, or repair of any of the following:
    • Dentures
    • Prescription eyeglasses
    • Hearing aids
    • Telephonic aid for the hearing impaired
    • Prostheses

Reporting Requirements

The household is assigned to simplified reporting and required to report all of the following:

  • When the household’s gross monthly income exceeds 130% of the current Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
  • When the household has lottery or gambling winnings of $4,250 or more in a single game

Contact Us

Call (855) 234-4960 for more information regarding ESAP or to check the status of your ESAP application.

Check your application status from home:

Create an online account using MyFamilyBenefits to view your benefits, upload documentation and report changes in the future.

When applying online, you can monitor the status of your application at Health-e-Arizona Plus.

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