If you need assistance, please contact us.
You may also contact Community Assistors for assistance in completing the Nutrition Assistance application. They will explain eligibility rules and what may be required of you to participate in the program. Once your application is submitted, the Community Assistor can assist you with submitting required documents for verification (for example: pay stubs, proof of citizenship or legal resident status, etc.). Some Assistors will be available to guide you through the process, and others will provide you with access to computers, scanners, telephones, copy machines and/or fax machines that you can use for free. Find a Community Assistor near you.
Please note that many SNAP Community Partners are also Community Assistors that can help you apply for Nutrition Assistance.
Be sure to call the Assistor/Partner before visiting to make sure they offer the service you need, and if necessary make an appointment.
Look for MyDES Connect emails and text messages with reminders and updates about your application and benefits. Find information on how to sign up for MyDES Connect.
After the eligibility interview, you will be mailed a QUEST Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card issued by Fidelity National Information Services (FIS). The card generally arrives before the eligibility notice. The EBT card works just like an ATM/debit card and can be used at most local grocery stores and stores where QUEST is accepted.
Please note that you may receive the EBT card even if you are not eligible. Keep the card in a safe place because the card is active, does not expire, and can be used if you are eligible at a later date. The first replacement card in a calendar year is free. You are charged $5 for each additional replacement card. When you and your EBT alternate card holder requests more than 4 cards within a 12-month period, you will need to answer questions before receiving a replacement card. Also, a fraud investigation may be initiated.
After your initial month, Nutrition Assistance benefits will be available on your EBT card according to the following schedule:
EBT Benefits Schedule.
Last Name |
EBT Benefits available |
A – B |
1st day of month |
C – D |
2nd day of month |
E - F |
3rd day of month |
G - H |
4th day of month |
I - J |
5th day of month |
K - L |
6th day of month |
M - N |
7th day of month |
O - P |
8th day of month |
Q - R |
9th day of month |
S - T |
10th day of month |
U - V |
11th day of month |
W - X |
12th day of month |
Y - Z |
13th day of month |
You can check your balance by using the free and secure mobile app, ebtEDGE, available in the Apple App Store (iOS) and Google Play Store (Android).
The following is an explanation of how the Nutrition Assistance (NA) benefit amounts are determined using Thrifty Food Plan amounts. The Thrifty Food Plan amounts are established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and must be used by all States as the basis to uniformly distribute NA benefits. All other eligibility requirements must be met before DES computes a budget to determine NA benefit amounts.
Pre-screen for benefits and determine the amount you may be eligible for.
How to Calculate (effective October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025) |
Sample Calculation - |
|
My gross monthly income from my job is $1739.33. I qualify for the following deductions:
My total deductions of $1313.87 are subtracted from my gross income which results in a net income of $425.46. |
|
$425.46 x 0.30 = $127.64 |
|
$127.64 rounded = $128 |
|
$1,158 (from table below for a household of 5) - $128 (from step 3) = $1030 Benefit amount |
|
Step does not apply to this example because the benefit amount of $1030 is greater than $23 and there are more than two participants in the budgetary unit. |
Note: A number of NA budgetary units will be eligible for $0 benefits.
NA Number of Eligible Household Members (Budgetary Unit) |
NA Thrifty Food Plan Amount |
1 |
$292 |
2 |
$536 |
3 |
$768 |
4 |
$975 |
5 |
$1,158 |
6 |
$1,390 |
7 |
$1,536 |
8 |
$1,756 |
Each additional participant, add $220 |
Thrifty Food Plan. Effective October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025.
Nutrition Assistance benefits cannot be used to pay for credit or charge accounts.
Some items that can be bought with Nutrition Assistance Benefits include:
Some items that Nutrition Assistance benefits cannot be used to buy:
Hot foods and prepared meals (except when the person is part of the Restaurant Meals Program).
The Nutrition Assistance EBT card can be used at any vendor that accepts EBT. Locations may include grocery stores, convenience stores, and some farmers markets. The cost of items that are allowed to be purchased using Nutrition Assistance are deducted from Nutrition Assistance benefits during purchase. Items that are not allowed must be paid for separately. Some restaurants that participate in the Restaurant Meals Program also accept EBT for certain people that are allowed to purchase prepared meals.
DES coordinated with Walmart, Amazon, and Aldi, to enable online Nutrition Assistance purchases. In addition, Arizona is actively working to expand the number of stores that accept EBT online in the future.
You are allowed to use your EBT card outside of Arizona. You can find Nutrition Assistance retailers by using the free and secure mobile app, ebtEDGE, available in the Apple App Store (iOS) and Google Play Store (Android).
Buying, selling, or otherwise misusing Nutrition Assistance benefits is a federal crime. Report suspected fraud online or call 1-800-424-9121.
A Proof of Eligibility card is available for download for Nutrition and Cash Assistance recipients in MyFamilyBenefits.azdes.gov. You can use this card to prove your eligibility for services to third-party organizations and resources.
The following deductions are allowed for all households depending on your living situations and expenses. Learn more about allowable expense deductions by visiting our Cash and Nutrition Assistance Policy Manual at dbmefaapolicy.azdes.gov.
It is important to inform DES if you incur heating or cooling costs. The application and change report have questions about utility expenses. Make sure to fill out this information accurately. DES will evaluate your household’s circumstances and ensure you are provided with the correct utility allowance.
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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