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Beginning July 1, 2022 an interview must be completed for DES to process your application for Cash Assistance benefits. DES will send a notice to you on how to complete your interview. For applications submitted prior to July 1, 2022, DES may be able to approve your application without completing an interview. DES will send a notice when more information is needed to process your application.

ANNOUNCEMENT: The vendor through which the State of Arizona utilizes to print and mail correspondence is experiencing a nationwide system outage. Until this issue is resolved, most notices, forms and paper checks from DES will be impacted. We continue to work closely with our vendor throughout the process to ensure minimal disruption to our clients and partners. We are also connecting with other vendors who are able to provide services during the outage. The services DES provides are not impacted by this incident and remain accessible to the public. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

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ASL Interpretation Available in Local Offices

American Sign Language interpretation services are available by computer at all Nutrition, Cash and Medical Assistance office locations.

Connect With Us From the Comfort of Your Home

Nutrition, Cash and Medical Assistance services are available virtually online and by phone. Learn more about how to connect with us safely and comfortably.

Cash Assistance helps families meet their basic needs for well-being and safety and serves as their path to self-sufficiency. The Cash Assistance program provides temporary cash benefits and supportive services to the neediest of Arizona's children and their families.

This video is available in American Sign Language.

Returning Users

Eligibility

Cash Assistance may be provided to needy families with dependent children. Eligibility for the Cash Assistance program is based on citizenship; qualified noncitizen resident status; Arizona residency; limits on resources and monthly income eligibility guidelines.

Adults receiving Cash Assistance benefits are required to complete and sign a Personal Responsibility Agreement. This agreement specifies compliance with the Jobs Program and the DES Child Support Services, as well as immunizing children and making sure they attend school, if applicable.

You can use the screen for eligibility website to see if you qualify for Cash Assistance, however, the best way to know if you are eligible is to submit a completed application for benefits and go through the application process.

Submitting your application

Submitting your completed application and required documentation starts the application process. Once your application is received, it will be reviewed to determine if you qualify for benefits. The following are ways that you can apply:

Complete and submit an online application through Health-e-Arizona Plus.
Download the Application for Benefits (FAA-0001A) and turn it in by mail or fax.
Call (855) 432-7587 to request a paper application be mailed to you. After receiving and completing the application, turn it in by mail or fax.

Information needed for eligibility

Whether you are applying for the first time, or renewing your benefits, you may need one or more of the following pieces of information to determine whether you are eligible:

Proof of citizenship and identity for everyone who is applying for benefits.
Alien Registration Cards, if there are non-U.S. citizens applying for benefits in your household.
Social Security numbers for everyone, or proof that a Social Security number has been applied for.
Proof of relationship, birth certificates may be used.
Name, address & daytime phone number of landlord or neighbor.
A statement verifying your address and the names of everyone living with you. The statement must be made by a non-relative who doesn’t live with you. It must be signed, dated and include that person's address and telephone number.
Proof of ALL money your household received from any source last month and this month.
Proof that your employment ended and last date paid.
Bank or credit union (savings or checking) complete statement for the most recent month.
Proof of savings bonds, securities, retirement plans and life insurance.
Proof of rent/mortgage and utility bills (electric, water, gas, etc.) for the most recent month.
Proof of child care expenses for the most recent month.

When possible, please include this information with your application.

After the Application

You may need to complete an eligibility interview by phone. We strongly recommend that you have income information, ID, Social Security numbers, and Citizenship verification at the interview. During your interview, we will review your information in order to see if you qualify for the program.

At the end of your interview, we will let you know if we need any additional information to decide your case. We will also send you a letter asking for this information.

You may be eligible for one large lump-sum payment through the Grant Diversion Program. Ask your eligibility interviewer about this program during your interview.

How do I provide additional information, when requested?

To serve you better and to make sure you get all the benefits you qualify for, please:

Give us all requested information as soon as possible
Let us know if you need help getting information. We can assist you.

You can mail or fax copies of the requested information. Please do not turn in original documents.

When you apply online, you can upload requested information or fax it with a cover sheet. (For additional instructions, see the Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) in Health-e-Arizona Plus titled 'How do I fax documents to HEAplus').

When will I know if I am approved?

A decision will be made, at the latest, 45 days from the application date.

When a decision is made regarding your case, you will be mailed a letter with the results. You can also monitor the status of your application online at Health-e-Arizona Plus or MyFamilyBenefits.

What can I do if I disagree with the decision?

You can request an appeal when:

An application is denied,
Benefits are stopped, or
An application is not processed in a timely manner.

After I Am Approved

Reporting Changes

You are required to report any changes that may affect your Cash Assistance eligibility. Your approval letter will identify whether you qualify for Standard or Simplified reporting.

Renewals

Cash Assistance requires a renewal to determine if anything changed. A letter will be sent to you when it is time for a renewal. It is important to report a change in your mailing address to ensure you receive notification regarding your renewal.

Pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other nondiscrimination laws and authorities, ADES does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Persons that require a reasonable modification based on language or disability should submit a request as early as possible to ensure the State has an opportunity to address the modification. The process for requesting a reasonable modification can be found at Equal Opportunity and Reasonable Modification.

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