Benefits
Arizona Benefits for Older Adults
Arizona has many programs that can help older adults pay for health care, drugs, food, energy bills, and property taxes on their home. This page lists each kind of help in Arizona, what it pays for, and where to apply. The state or county agency makes the final decision on who gets help. You may qualify even if you own your home or get Social Security.
Kinds of benefits in Arizona
The agency decides who qualifies. The limits below are the published figures — use them to see whether applying is worth your time.
Social Security in Arizona
Social Security pays monthly benefits to retired workers, people with disabilities, and families of workers who have died. You can apply online, by phone, or at a local office. Bring proof of age, your Social Security number, and recent tax or work records. The Social Security Administration decides if you may qualify and how much you get.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Social Security Administration (SSA) |
| What it covers | Retirement, disability, and survivor benefits, and Medicare enrollment. |
| How to apply | Apply online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or at a local Social Security office. |
| Source | Social Security Administration (SSA) (des.az.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Medicaid for Older Arizonans (AHCCCS SSI-MAO and ALTCS)
Medicaid in Arizona is called AHCCCS. For people 65 or older, blind, or disabled, it can pay for care that Medicare does not pay for, like long stays in a nursing home, help at home, and hospice. In 2026, the SSI-MAO income limit is $1,330 a month for one person. Long-term care through ALTCS has a higher income limit of $2,982 a month. AHCCCS decides if you may qualify.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) |
| What it covers | Health care Medicare does not pay for on its own, including long nursing home stays and help at home through ALTCS, some dental care, rides to care, and hospice. |
| How to apply | Apply through Health-e-Arizona Plus or with AHCCCS form DE-103. |
| Limits 2026 | Note: SSI-MAO standards from the AHCCCS Eligibility Policy Manual, section 615. The 100 percent of poverty limits took effect February 1, 2026; the 100 percent of federal benefit rate limits took effect January 1, 2026.; Long term care altcs: Note: 300 percent of the 2026 federal SSI rate.; Resources individual: 2000; Monthly income individual: 2982; Monthly income 100pct fbr: Couple: 1491; Individual: 994; Monthly income 100pct fpl: Couple: 1804; Individual: 1330 |
| Source | Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) (epm.azahcccs.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Medicare Savings Programs in Arizona
Medicare Savings Programs in Arizona help pay Medicare costs. In 2026, QMB goes up to $1,330 a month for one person and pays premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance. SLMB goes up to $1,596 and QI up to $1,796, and each pays the Part B premium. Arizona does not test your savings for these programs. AHCCCS decides if you may qualify.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) |
| What it covers | QMB pays Medicare Part A and Part B premiums plus deductibles and coinsurance. SLMB and QI pay the Part B premium only. |
| How to apply | Apply through Health-e-Arizona Plus or with AHCCCS form DE-103. |
| Limits 2026 | Qi: Couple: 2435; Individual: 1796; Qmb: Couple: 1804; Individual: 1330; Note: Income bands from AHCCCS form DE-103 (rev. 04/2026) and Eligibility Policy Manual section 615, in effect February 1, 2026. Arizona does not use a resource test for Medicare Savings Programs.; Slmb: Couple: 2164; Individual: 1596 |
| Source | Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) (epm.azahcccs.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Nutrition Assistance Food Benefits in Arizona (SNAP)
Nutrition Assistance is the Arizona name for SNAP. It puts money on a Quest card each month to help buy food. Most households may qualify with gross income up to $2,660 a month for one person. If you are 65 or older and do not work, DES has a short form called ESAP, and approval can last 36 months. The most one person can get is $306 a month. DES decides if you may qualify.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES), Family Assistance Administration |
| What it covers | Monthly money on an Arizona Quest EBT card to buy food. Arizona calls SNAP Nutrition Assistance. |
| How to apply | Apply through Health-e-Arizona Plus, by phone at 1-855-432-7587, or at a DES office. People age 65 or older with no work income can use the short ESAP form for a 36-month approval. |
| Limits 2026 27 | Note: Federal SNAP standards, October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027, with Arizona broad-based categorical eligibility. Households with a person age 60 or older or with a disability skip the gross test.; Net monthly: Couple: 1804; Individual: 1330; Max allotment: Couple: 562; Individual: 306; Gross monthly bbce: Couple: 3608; Individual: 2660 |
| Source | Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES), Family Assistance Administration (des.az.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in Arizona
SSI pays each month to people age 65 or older, blind, or disabled who have low income and few savings. The federal rate in 2026 is $994 a month for one person. In Arizona, people who get SSI also get AHCCCS Medicaid. The Social Security Administration decides if you may qualify.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Social Security Administration (SSA) |
| What it covers | Monthly payments for people age 65 or older, blind, or disabled who have low income and few resources. People who get SSI in Arizona get AHCCCS Medicaid. |
| How to apply | Apply with the Social Security Administration online, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or at a local office. |
| Limits 2026 | Note: The federal SSI rate for 2026 is $994 a month for one person, which is also the 100 percent federal benefit rate standard in the AHCCCS manual. |
| Source | Social Security Administration (SSA) (epm.azahcccs.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Extra Help With Medicare Drug Costs in Arizona
Extra Help lowers the cost of Medicare drug plans. It can pay part of the premium and lower what you pay for each drug. You can apply with Social Security online or by phone. If you get a Medicare Savings Program or SSI, you are signed up on your own. Social Security decides if you may qualify.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Social Security Administration (SSA) |
| What it covers | Help paying Medicare Part D drug plan premiums, deductibles, and co-pays. |
| How to apply | Apply online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or at a local Social Security office. People in a Medicare Savings Program are signed up on their own. |
| Source | Social Security Administration (SSA) (des.az.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Energy Help in Arizona (LIHEAP)
LIHEAP in Arizona helps pay heating and cooling bills, which matters in the summer heat. The most a one-person household can earn is $2,936 a month. You can get one regular benefit and one crisis benefit each year. If you already get Nutrition Assistance, you meet the income rule. Call 1-866-494-1981 or apply online. The agency decides if you may qualify.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES), through local community action agencies |
| What it covers | Help paying heating and cooling bills, plus a separate crisis benefit if you get a shut-off notice. One regular benefit and one crisis benefit in each 12-month period. |
| note | DES LIHEAP maximum gross monthly income is $2,936 for one person and $5,647 for four people, set at 60 percent of the state median income. Households that get DES Nutrition Assistance or Cash Assistance meet the income rule on their own. |
| How to apply | Apply through the A-to-Z Arizona Portal, by phone at 1-866-494-1981, or with your local community action agency. |
| Source | Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES), through local community action agencies (des.az.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Property Tax Relief for Older Arizona Homeowners (Senior Freeze)
Arizona has a senior freeze for home values. If you are 65 or older, the county can freeze the value used to set your tax for three years, so your bill does not rise just because home prices rise. For 2026, your average income over the past three years must be under $47,712 if you own the home alone. Apply with your county assessor by September 1. The assessor decides if you may qualify.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Your county assessor, under Arizona Department of Revenue limits |
| What it covers | The Senior Valuation Protection Option freezes the value used to set your property tax for three years. It freezes the value, not the tax rate, so the bill can still change if tax rates change. |
| How to apply | Apply with your county assessor by September 1, 2026, with Form 82104. You must renew every three years. |
| Limits 2026 | Note: For 2026: age 65 or older, the home must be your main home for at least two years, and average total income over the past three years must be under $47,712 for one owner or $59,640 for two or more owners (county assessors, Arizona Department of Revenue). |
| Source | Your county assessor, under Arizona Department of Revenue limits (www.cochise.az.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Aging Services in Arizona (Area Agencies on Aging)
Area Agencies on Aging in Arizona help older adults stay at home. They can set up meals, rides, help with chores, and support for family caregivers. Each part of the state has its own agency. Call yours and tell them what help you need at home. The agency will tell you what you may qualify for.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | DES Division of Aging and Adult Services and local Area Agencies on Aging |
| What it covers | Meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support, and help finding local services for older adults. |
| How to apply | Call your local Area Agency on Aging or the DES Division of Aging and Adult Services. |
| Source | DES Division of Aging and Adult Services and local Area Agencies on Aging (des.az.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Free Medicare Counseling in Arizona (SHIP)
SHIP gives free Medicare help in Arizona. Trained counselors can explain your plan choices, compare drug costs, and help you apply for programs that pay Medicare costs. The help is free and the counselors do not sell plans. Call 1-800-432-4040 to reach the SHIP helpline.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), DES Division of Aging and Adult Services, through Area Agencies on Aging |
| What it covers | Free, one-on-one help to compare Medicare plans, drug plans, and Medicare Savings Programs. |
| How to apply | Call the SHIP Assistance Helpline at 1-800-432-4040. |
| Source | State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), DES Division of Aging and Adult Services, through Area Agencies on Aging (des.az.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Applying for Benefits in Arizona (DES and Health-e-Arizona Plus)
You can apply for most Arizona benefits in one place. Health-e-Arizona Plus is the state website for Nutrition Assistance and AHCCCS health coverage. You can also go in person to a DES office. Bring proof of who you are, where you live, your income, and your bills. DES decides if you may qualify for each program.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) |
| What it covers | One place to apply for Nutrition Assistance, AHCCCS health coverage, and cash help. |
| How to apply | Apply online at Health-e-Arizona Plus, by phone at 1-855-432-7587, or in person at a DES office. |
| Source | Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) (des.az.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Good to know in Arizona
- Medicaid in Arizona is called AHCCCS (Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System). For people 65 or older, blind, or disabled, the SSI-MAO path lists income up to $1,330 a month for one person and $1,804 for a couple at 100 percent of the poverty level, in effect February 1, 2026 (AHCCCS Eligibility Policy Manual, section 615). Long-term care through ALTCS uses a higher income limit of $2,982 a month, which is 300 percent of the federal SSI rate.
- Arizona Medicare Savings Programs use the AHCCCS income bands: QMB up to $1,330 a month for one person, SLMB from $1,330.01 to $1,596, and QI up to $1,796 (AHCCCS application DE-103, rev. 04/2026, and Eligibility Policy Manual section 615). Arizona does not use a resource test for these Medicare Savings Programs.
- Food help in Arizona is called Nutrition Assistance, run by the Department of Economic Security (DES). Most households may qualify with gross income up to 200 percent of the poverty level, which is $2,660 a month for one person, and the most one person can get is $306 a month (federal SNAP standards, October 2026 to September 2027). Older Arizonans age 65 or older with no work income can use the short ESAP application, with a 36-month approval period (DES form FAA-1821A).
- Energy help in Arizona is LIHEAP, run by DES. The most a one-person household can earn is $2,936 a month in gross income, set at 60 percent of the state median income (DES LIHEAP page). A household can get one regular benefit and one crisis benefit in each 12-month period. The LIHEAP phone line is 1-866-494-1981.
- Arizona property tax relief for seniors is the Senior Valuation Protection Option, also called the senior freeze. It freezes the value used to set your tax for three years at a time. For 2026, you must be age 65 or older, the home must be your main home for at least two years, and your average income over the past three years must be under $47,712 for one owner or $59,640 for two or more owners (county assessors, under the Arizona Department of Revenue limits). Apply with your county assessor by September 1, 2026.
Free local help
Three national programs connect you to help in your own community, at no cost: