Arizona Food Stamps Approval

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Arizona Food Stamps Approval, Rules, Proofs Required

If you submitted an application in Arizona for Nutrition Assistance Benefits, a.k.a. Arizona Food Stamps Approval, a Department of Economic Security (DES) worker has to interview you and verify provided information before determining if your household is eligible for Nutrition Assistance (NA) Benefits.

Arizona DES lists examples of information and proofs you may be asked to provide at the interview:

• Valid I.D. showing the name of the applicant;
• Proof of address -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 citizenship;
• Birth certificates for everyone in the household applying for NA;
• Alien Registration Cards – Proof of legal alien status for anyone who is not a U.S. Citizen;
• Name, address, and contact phone number of landlord or neighbor.
• Social security numbers for everyone in the household;
• Proof of all household income;
• Proof of the amount of money all in the household has in bank accounts
• 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;
• Proof of all medical expenses for those who are age 60 or older or receive disability benefits if they are applying for Nutrition Assistance.

The federal law limits the SNAP benefits to 3 months in a 3-year period for all able-bodied adults between the ages of 18-50 without dependents, who are not working or participating in a work program for at least 20 hours each week. In Arizona, this is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Employment and Training Program (SNA E & T). It is a mandatory employment and training program for adults in households getting Arizona Nutrition Assistance benefits. Through its employment related services, the SNA E & T program helps Nutrition Assistance beneficiaries find jobs and transition to economic independence.

Nutrition Assistance benefits recipients in Arizona can be exempted from SNA E&T Program if they are under 18 or 59 years of age or older, responsible for the care of a child or disabled household member or medically certified as physically or mentally unfit for employment or pregnant.

Applicants waiting for Arizona Food Stamps approval in the State should get a response within 30 days from the date they submitted their application to the local DES office. Households cannot receive food stamps assistance from more than one Arizona county in a month. Households getting food stamps benefits must report any changes of their household situation in a period of time determined by the DES office in order to assure their participation in the Nutrition Assistance Program.

All Arizona Nutrition Assistance  beneficiaries are required to complete eligibility reviews, usually once every 6 months, in order to continue receiving food stamps benefits.

Approved! When and How Do I Get the Food Stamps Benefits?

Approved for Arizona NA benefits applicants get an Electronic Benefit Card (EBT) QUEST card. The QUEST card can be used like a debit card at any Arizona food stamps approved grocery stores and farmers markets. The Nutrition Assistance benefits are deposited into an EBT account of the beneficiary each month following the Benefit Issuance Schedule. Benefits are made available over the first 13 calendar days of the month, based on the first letter of the client’s last name. If the:
First Letter of the Last Name is: A or B = benefits available on the 1st
First Letter of the Last Name is: C or D = benefits available on the 2nd
First Letter of the Last Name is: E or F = benefits available on the 3rd
First Letter of the Last Name is: G or H = benefits available on the 4th
First Letter of the Last Name is: I or J = benefits available on the 5th
First Letter of the Last Name is: K or L = benefits available on the 6th
First Letter of the Last Name is: M or N = benefits available on the 7th
First Letter of the Last Name is: O or P = benefits available on the 8th
First Letter of the Last Name is: Q or R = benefits available on the 9th
First Letter of the Last Name is: S or T = benefits available on the 10th
First Letter of the Last Name is: U or V = benefits available on the 11th
First Letter of the Last Name is: W or X = benefits available on the 12th
First Letter of the Last Name is: Y or Z = benefits available on the 13th

If you have any question regarding your EBT Account or EBT Card call Arizona EBT Customer Service: 1-888-997-9333

Nutrition Assistance Program | Eligibility | Apply | Benefits

Sources: State Agencies, FNS, USDA