Your Partner for a Stronger Arizona

To protect taxpayer dollars from criminals and ensure Arizonans in need can access benefits in a timely manner, beginning this week, claimants filing initial claims for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) will need to verify their identities using ID.me’s safe and secure online portal before they can receive PUA benefits. Learn more.

States across the nation continue to see an extraordinary number of claims filed as a result of identity theft. DES has become aware that some Arizona residents are receiving notices and benefit cards at their address with the names of individuals who do not reside at that location. This is the result of criminals attempting to obtain funds from the new federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program by using randomly selected in-state addresses during the application process. More information regarding unemployment fraud can be found here. To report fraud, file a report online or call the DES Fraud Hotline at 1 (800) 251-2436.

DES Services Related to COVID-19

Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD)

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An able-bodied adult between the ages of 18 to 49 without dependents is considered an ABAWD. Individuals with children in the household or who are mentally or physically unfit for employment are not considered ABAWDs.

ABAWDs may qualify for a maximum of three months of Nutrition Assistance in a 36 month period, unless they either comply with the work or training requirements or qualify for an exemption.

To comply with the work requirements, ABAWDs must:

Be working at least 80 hours a month;
Register and participate in at least 80 hours a month of job search or training with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Employment and Training (SNA E&T); or
Complete at least 80 hours per month as a combination of work and participation with SNA E&T.

To qualify for an exemption, individuals must fit into one of the following categories:

Under the age of 18 or 50 years of age or older
Resides with a minor who is a member of the budgetary unit
Caretaker for an incapacitated individual
Physically or mentally unfit for employment
Participant in a drug or alcohol treatment or rehabilitation program
Pregnant
Student (at least half-time)
Applied for or receiving Unemployment Insurance
Participant in Other Work Program
Transitional Benefit Assistance (TBA)
Chronic homelessness
Live in a geographically exempt area (see below)
Victim of domestic violence

In addition to the above exemptions, participants living in the following geographic areas are exempt:

All American Indian reservations except the Yavapai‑Prescott Indian reservation
Apache Junction
Every county except Maricopa, Pima, and Yavapai

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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Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD)