If you are trying to see if you are eligible to apply for Food stamps in Arizona (SNAP) or need more information about Arizona EBT, you’ve come to the right place. The Arizona food stamps and EBT program, also called the Nutrition Assistance Program, is a federal nutrition program that helps low-income individuals and families buy food.
Food Stamps benefits can be used to purchase food at grocery stores, convenience stores, and some farmers’ markets.
The program is run at the state level by the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES)
If you apply and are approved for benefits, your monthly food stamps allocation will be given to you each month on a plastic card called an EBT (electronic benefits transfer) card, which works like a debit card.
We have provided below everything you need to know to successfully apply for food stamps. We have also explained how EBT Card works and what you can expect with your card if you are approved for food stamps.
In this post, we will cover the following:
- Should I apply for Arizona Food Stamps?
- Who is Eligible for Arizona Food Stamps?
- 2019/2020 Arizona Food Stamps Income Limit
- How Much Will I Recieve in Arizona Food Stamps?
- How to Apply for Arizona Food Stamps
- How long to get Approved for Arizona Food Stamps?
- What is Arizona EBT Card?
- What can I buy with EBT in Arizona?
- What time are Food Stamps EBT deposited in Arizona?
- How to Check Arizona EBT Card Balance?
- How Do I Get an Arizona EBT Card Replacement?
- Arizona EBT Discounts, Perks and Freebies
Should I apply for Arizona Food Stamps?
If you’ve hit tough times and are struggling to afford food for yourself or your family, you should consider applying for food stamps.
The food stamps program is a federal entitlement program. This means anyone who is eligible will receive benefits. You will not be taking away benefits from someone else if you apply.
In addition, the food stamps program is a nutrition program and not a welfare cash assistance program (which is called TANF). You do not have to be receiving TANF to get food stamps.
Who is Eligible for Arizona Food Stamps?
The food stamps program is SNAP focused on helping low-income individuals and families, predominantly serving households with children, elderly or disabled members.
Nearly half of all food stamps participants are children.
Eligibility for SNAP is limited to people with gross incomes up to 130% of the federal poverty line.
This means that a family of four can make no more than $2,790 a month to receive benefits.
Able-bodied adults without dependents can only receive three months of benefits during any three-year period if they’re not working a minimum of 20 hours per week or participating in a training program.
There are several requirements you have to meet to be approved for Arizona food stamps and EBT, however, the most important is the income limit.
As stated above, to be eligible for food stamps, your gross income cannot exceed 130% of the federal poverty line.
In addition, after deductions are taken out, your net income cannot exceed 100% of the poverty level.
2019/2020 Arizona Food Stamps Income Limit
Below is the 2019/2020 food stamps income limit. It is based on the number of people in your household. For example, if you are a family of 4, you cannot make more than a gross income of $2,790 to qualify for food stamps.
| Household Size | Gross monthly income (130 percent of poverty) |
Net monthly income (100 percent of poverty) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,354 | $1,041 |
| 2 | $1,832 | $1,410 |
| 3 | $2,311 | $1,778 |
| 4 | $2,790 | $2,146 |
| 5 | $3,269 | $2,515 |
| 6 | $3,748 | $2,883 |
| 7 | $4,227 | $3,251 |
| 8 | $4,705 | $3,620 |
| Each additional member | +$479 | +$369 |
How Much Will I Recieve in Arizona Food Stamps?
The amount of food stamps benefits a household gets depends on how many people are in the household and how much monthly net income remains after taking allowable deductions.
Because food stamps households are expected to spend about 30 percent of their own resources on food, the amount of food stamps you get is calculated by multiplying your household’s net monthly income by 0.3, and subtracting the result from the maximum monthly allotment for your household size.
| People in Household | Maximum Monthly Allotment |
|---|---|
| 1 | $194 |
| 2 | $355 |
| 3 | $509 |
| 4 | $646 |
| 5 | $768 |
| 6 | $921 |
| 7 | $1,018 |
| 8 | $1,164 |
| Each additional person | +$146 |
Arizona Food Stamps Work Requirement
An able-bodied adult between the ages of 18 to 49 without dependents is considered an ABAWD.
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
How to Apply for Arizona Food Stamps
There are 3 ways you can apply for food stamps in Arizona.
Option 1 – Apply online
You can apply online through the Arizona Health-e-Arizona Plus account (as shown in the image below). If you have an account, you can login or create your Health-e-Arizona Plus Account. Click here to be taken to the website.
Option 2 – Apply at DES Office Near You
You can apply in person at the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) office near you. Click here to locate a DES office.
Option 3 – Download Arizona Food Stamps Application
You can download an application, complete it and mail it to your county DES office or submit it in person.
How long to get Approved for Arizona Food Stamps?
Once you submit a complete application, your caseworker will schedule an interview with you to review your application information and ask any questions they may have about the information you submitted.
Generally, a decision will be made on your food stamps application within 30 days of the day you submitted a COMPLETE application.
What is an Arizona EBT Card?
The Arizona EBT Card, also called the Arizona Quest card is used to administer your monthly benefits.
If you are approved for food stamps, your monthly food stamps allocation will be given to you each month on an Arizona EBT Card, which works like a debit card.
What can I buy with EBT in Arizona?
You are allowed to use your food stamps benefits card to buy foods that your household will prepare to eat at home, including the following
- breads and cereals
- fruits and vegetables
- meats, fish and poultry; and
- dairy products
- Seeds and plants to produce food for the household to eat
- Soft drinks, candy, cookies, snack crackers, and ice cream
- Seafood, steak, and bakery cakes
- Energy drinks that have a nutrition facts label
- Energy drinks that have a supplement facts label are classified by the FDA as supplements and are therefore not eligible
Now that you know what you can buy with your SNAP card, here is the list of things you CANNOT buy with the card:
- Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes or tobacco
- Any nonfood items, such as pet foods, soaps, paper products, diapers, and household supplies
- Vitamins and medicines
- Food that will be eaten in the store
- Hot foods
- Live animals
NOTE: In some areas, restaurants can be authorized to accept SNAP benefits from qualified homeless, elderly, or disabled people in exchange for low-cost meals.
What time are food stamps EBT deposited in Arizona?
Generally, your EBT payment is available at midnight on your payment date.
In Arizona, Food Stamp Benefits are deposited into EBT Card accounts during the first 13 calendar days of the month. When your payment is deposited depends on the first letter your last name. Here is the schedule:
| If the First Letter of your Last Name is | Benefits are deposited on the |
| A or B | 1st of the month |
| C or D | 2nd of the month |
| E or F | 3rd of the month |
| G or H | 4th of the month |
| I or J | 5th of the month |
| K or L | 6th of the month |
| M or N | 7th of the month |
| O or P | 8th of the month |
| Q or R | 9th of the month |
| S or T | 10th of the month |
| U or V | 11th of the month |
| W or X | 12th of the month |
| Y or Z | 13th of the month |
How to Check Arizona EBT Card Balance?
There are three ways to check your Arizona EBT Card balance.
Option 1
Call 1-888-997-9333 to check the balance on your Arizona EBT Card
Option 2
- You can check the balance online here
Option 3
- You can also check the balance by locating your Last Receipt
How Do I Get an Arizona EBT Card Replacement?
To report your card lost, stolen, damaged, or not received in the mail call the Arizona EBT Customer Service number at – 1-888-997-9333.
If your EBT card is stolen and benefits are used these benefits cannot be replaced.
You can also call the number above for the following:
- To report your card lost, stolen, damaged, or not received in the mail.
- To know the date your benefits will be available in your account each month.
- To know if your benefits have been deposited into your account and get your account balance.
- To hear your last 10 transactions.
- To file a claim if you question a transaction in your account.
- If you want to select or change your PIN.
- If your card does not work.
- To find the nearest location where you can use your card.
- If you have other questions about or problems with your card.
Arizona EBT Discounts
Your Arizona EBT Card comes with some perks, discounts, and freebies.
Sign up for Amazon Prime Discount for EBT Holders
Amazon.com has announced that beneficiaries enrolled in some government assistance programs can now get Amazon Prime subscriptions for $5.99 a month. EBT Cardholders are included in this offer.
This means that if you are currently receiving benefits on an EBT card, like Food Stamps, you can sign up for Amazon Prime discount for EBT holders. To sign up, click here to be taken to their sign-up page.
The regular Amazon Prime membership is $12.99 a month. However, if you have an EBT Card, you can get Prime Membership for $5.99. That’s over 50% off the regular price.
Home Phone and Cell Phone Services
If you are currently on Food Stamps, and your income is below a certain level, you may qualify for FREE or low-cost cell phone or home phone service for you or a member of your family through the Federal Lifeline Program, which serves nearly 13 million Americans.
This program provides discounts on cell phone service or home phone service for qualifying low-income consumers, including those on Food Stamps. Here are the companies that participate in the program in the state of Arizona.
There are different companies providing cell phone and home phone service. Be sure to view the “Type of Service” column to make sure you are selecting the right company.
| Company Name | Phone | Type of Service |
| SCATUI | 928-475-2433 | Home Phone |
| CenturyLink | 800-407-5411 | Home Phone |
| Table Top Telephone Company | 800-560-8101 | Home Phone |
| TDS Telecom/Southwestern Telephone Company | 888-225-5837 | Home Phone |
| TDS Telecom/Arizona Telephone Company | 888-225-5837 | Home Phone |
| Valley Telecom Group | 800-421-5711 | Home Phone |
| Fort Mojave Telephone Company | 928-346-2500 | Home Phone |
| Gila River Telecommunications | 520-796-3333 | Home Phone |
| Tohono Oodham Utility Authority | 520-383-2236 | Home Phone |
| Frontier Communications | 800-921-8101 | Home Phone |
| HOPI Telecommunications | 928-738-2201 | Home Phone |
| Zona Communications | 623-455-4555 | Home Phone |
| Saddleback Communications | 480-362-7150 | Home Phone |
| American Assistance | 866-966-2628 | Mobile |
| Access Wireless | 866-594-3644 | Mobile |
| TerraCom Wireless | 877-351-4747 | Mobile |
| CellularOne | 800-730-2351 | Mobile |
| Tag Mobile | 866-959-4918 | Mobile |
| StandUP Wireless | 800-544-4441 | Mobile |
| enTouch Wireless | 866-488-8719 | Mobile |
| Life Wireless | 888-543-3620 | Mobile |
| Choice Wireless | 800-246-4239 | Mobile |
| Assurance Wireless | 888-898-4888 | Mobile |
| Safelink Wireless | 800-723-3546 | Mobile |
| Q Link Wireless | 855-754-6543 | Mobile |
Free things to do with EBT Card in Arizona
The Arizona Museums listed below all offer individual admission fees ranging from FREE to $3.00 to individuals and families who have an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, and a valid form of photo ID. The offer covers up to four individuals per EBT card
We advise that you call the museum first before you go to confirm their hours and the offer for Arizona EBT Cardholders.
Children’s Museum Oro Valley
11015 North Oracle Road
Oro Valley, Arizona 85737
520-297-8004
Arizona Museum of Natural History
53 N Macdonald
Mesa, Arizona 85215 United States
480-644-2230
i.d.e.a. Museum
150 W Pepper Pl
Mesa, Arizona 85201 United States
480-644-2468
Children’s Museum Tucson
200 S. 6th Ave.
Tucson, Arizona 85701 United States
520-792-9985
The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures
4455 E Camp Lowell Dr
Tucson, Arizona 85712
520-881-0606
Arizona Science Center
600 E. Washington St.
Phoenix, Arizona 85004
602-716-2000
Arizona Food Stamps EBT Summary
We hope this post on Arizona Food Stamps EBT was helpful.
If you have further questions about SNAP Benefits & EBT, or Personal Finance topics affecting low-income households, please let us know in the comments section below.
Be sure to check out our other articles on low-income personal finance.
