SNAP Can Help Put More Food on Your Table
Groceries are expensive, and sometimes a household’s budget simply doesn’t stretch far enough. SNAP can help individuals and families buy the food they need while freeing up money for other necessities.
Food banks and pantries help families make ends meet every day, but for every meal a food bank can provide in Arizona, SNAP provides six. SNAP is the most effective and efficient way to end hunger today. (source)
Whether you’re working, raising children, living on a fixed income, or simply going through a tough financial season, it may be worth finding out if you qualify.
SNAP is here to help. Check your eligibility.
What Is SNAP
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, helps eligible individuals and families buy groceries.
Benefits are provided through an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card that works much like a debit card at participating grocery stores, retailers, farmers markets, and other approved locations.
SNAP isn’t just for families with children. Depending on eligibility, SNAP may help:
- Working individuals and families
- Parents and caregivers
- Older adults
- People with disabilities
- College students who meet certain requirements
- People who are unemployed or experiencing a change in income
- Households experiencing temporary financial hardship
Not sure whether SNAP is for you? Start by checking your eligibility.
Could You Qualify for SNAP?
You may qualify for SNAP even if you are working
or may not have qualified in the past.
Eligibility depends on several factors, including your household size, income, expenses, age, and individual circumstances.
Who Is Part of Your SNAP Household?
Generally, your SNAP household includes the people you live with and regularly buy and prepare food with. Some questions to consider:
- How many people live in your household?
- Do you buy and prepare food together?
- Are there children in your household?
- Is anyone in your household age 60 or older?
- Does anyone have a disability?
- Are any household members college students?
SNAP eligibility rules can vary based on your circumstances, so don’t assume you won’t qualify.
APPLY FOR SNAP
Ready to Apply for SNAP?
Ready to Apply for SNAP
If you think you may qualify, the next step is to apply. When applying, you may be asked for information about your household, income, expenses, and other circumstances. Having this information available can help make the process easier.
Arizona residents can apply online through Health-e-Arizona Plus.
Already Applied?
You can use MyFamilyBenefits to check your application, review your information, report changes, and manage your benefits.
GET APPLICATION HELP
You Don't Have to Apply Alone
SNAP applications can sometimes feel confusing. Real people are available to help you — for free and in your community!
Community organizations throughout Arizona can help you:
- Understand SNAP eligibility
- Complete your application
- Gather the information you may need
- Navigate questions about the application process
Asking for help won’t affect your eligibility.
USE YOUR SNAP BENEFITS
Use SNAP Benefits to Purchase Food
Where Can I Use SNAP?
SNAP benefits can be used to purchase eligible food at thousands of participating retailers. Depending on the retailer, you may be able to use your EBT card at:
- Grocery stores
- Supermarkets
- Convenience stores
- Participating farmers markets
- Other authorized food retailers
Look for signs indicating that SNAP or EBT is accepted, or use the USDA retailer locator to find participating locations.
Can I Use SNAP Online?
Yes. Participating retailers allow SNAP customers to purchase eligible groceries online using their EBT benefits. Online shopping can be especially helpful for people with transportation challenges, rural households, caregivers, older adults, and people with disabilities.
USE YOUR SNAP BENEFITS
Get More Fruits and Vegetables with Double Up Food Bucks
Your SNAP benefits may go even further when you purchase fresh, locally grown foods.
Through Double Up Food Bucks Arizona, shoppers using SNAP can receive additional dollars for eligible fruits and vegetables at participating locations.
There is no separate application. If you have an active SNAP/EBT card, you can participate at qualifying Double Up Food Bucks locations.
FIND MORE FOOD RESOURCES
Need Food Now?
Whether or not you qualify for SNAP, help is available.
Food banks, food pantries, meal programs, and other community organizations throughout Arizona can help individuals and families access food.
You do not have to wait for a SNAP application or eligibility decision to look for additional food resources.
If you would like to speak with one of our staff during business hours, dial 602-528-3434 for AzFBN’s Hunger Hotline.
SNAP FAQs
Have Questions About SNAP?
You’re not alone. We’ve gathered answers to common questions about SNAP eligibility, applications, benefits, and using your EBT card.
What if I need help with the application process?
If you need assistance, please contact DES.
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.
How do I receive Nutrition Assistance benefits?
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 cardholder request four or more replacement cards within a 12-month period, the Family Assistance Administration will monitor your EBT transactions for fraud or trafficking activities.
When are my benefits put on my card every month?
After your initial month, Nutrition Assistance benefits will be available on your EBT card according to the following schedule:
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).
How are benefit amounts calculated?
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(link is external) and determine the amount you may be eligible for.
How to Calculate (effective October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026)
Steps for calculating Nutrition Assistance benefits:
Note: Some NA budgetary units will be eligible for $0 benefits.
Nutrition Assistance Program Thrifty Food Plan Amounts
Thrifty Food Plan(link is external). Effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026.
What can I buy with Nutrition Assistance Benefits (Benefits Usage Guidelines)?
Nutrition Assistance benefits cannot be used to pay for credit or charge accounts.
Some items that can be bought with Nutrition Assistance Benefits include:
- Breads and cereals.
- Food products for human consumption. Meats, fish, poultry, and dairy products.
- Food products for human consumption.
- Vegetable seeds, food-producing plants, roots and trees.
- Infant formula; diabetic foods.
- Meals prepared for and delivered or served to elderly or disabled Nutrition Assistance participants, when the organization is authorized to accept Nutrition Assistance Benefits.
- In some areas, restaurants can be authorized to accept Nutrition Assistance benefits from qualified homeless, elderly, or disabled people in exchange for low-cost meals. (This program is referred to as the Restaurant Meals Program. Some restaurants include: Subway, Golden Corral, Jack in the Box, and Dominos Pizza. Not all participate, check for the EBT sign or ask a manager at the restaurant)
Some items that Nutrition Assistance benefits cannot be used to buy:
- Beer, wine, liquor (alcoholic beverages).
- Cigarettes or tobacco.
- Non-food items such as soap, paper products, cleaning supplies and cooking utensils.
- Items used for gardening such as fertilizer, peat moss and similar products.
- Items that are not to be eaten by people such as laundry starch, pet foods, or seeds packaged as bird seed.
- Vitamins and minerals, in any form.
- All health aids, such as aspirin, cough drops or syrups, cold remedies, antacids and all prescription medicines.
Hot foods and prepared meals (except when the person is part of the Restaurant Meals Program).
Where can I use my Nutrition Assistance Benefits?
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).
What deductions are allowed against my income?
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.
- 20% is deducted from your household’s total earned income for work-related expenses.
- Farming self-employment loss deduction: Farmers are eligible to deduct their farming loss from their countable income.
- A standard deduction based on your household size.
- Medical Expense Deduction: Households with a member who is age 60 or older or has a disability are eligible for the medical expense deduction. The first $35 of the medical expense is disregarded. A standard medical deduction of $160 ($195 – $35) is allowed when your household medical expenses are from $35.01 to $195. If your medical expenses are more than $195, your household is eligible for the actual amount. (Effective date: 10/01/2026)
- Dependent care or care for incapacitated adult deduction: Your household is eligible for the deduction if you are working, looking for work, or in school.
- Child support deduction: If any member of your household is legally obligated and is paying child support for a child not living in your household.
- Utility allowance: The utility expense is used in the calculation of your shelter expense deduction. Your household can claim the cost of utility expenses when billed separately from your rent or mortgage. The utility allowance is a fixed dollar amount based on the number of members in your household. The dollar value of the utility allowance is not tied to what your actual bill is.
There are three different utility amounts, and the amounts are adjusted annually
(Effective 10/01/25)- Standard Utility Allowance (SUA) – $323 for households with 1 to 3 members and $438 for households with 4 or more. SUA is used for households that incur heating or cooling costs. Heating sources can include central heating, space heaters, a furnace, or a fireplace. The utility expenses that are used to produce heat can include electricity, gas or propane, coal, wood, or oil. Cooling sources include central air conditioners, evaporative coolers, or room air conditioners.
- Limited Utility Allowance (LUA) – Currently $149 for households with 1 to 3 members and $201 for households with 4 or more. LUA is used for households that incur two utility expenses, but not for heating or cooling costs. Utility expenses can include electricity (non-heating or cooling), cooking gas, garbage, sewer, and trash.
- Telephone Utility Allowance (TUA) – Currently $44. TUA is used for households that incur only telephone costs and do not have an obligation to pay any of the other utilities listed above.
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.
- Shelter expense deduction: This deduction is a combination of your shelter (rent or mortgage) plus your utility allowance deduction. This is not a dollar-for-dollar deduction of your shelter cost. You are eligible for this deduction if the amount is more than 50% of your household’s net income after all other deductions and allowances have been applied.
- A 55% self-employment expense deduction.
- A homeless shelter deduction is given to households that are homeless and incur a shelter expense.
Food Assistance Is Here When You Need It
Everyone deserves access to enough nutritious food.
SNAP is one of many resources available to help Arizona households make ends meet. Whether you need support for a few months or longer, taking the first step can be as simple as finding out what assistance may be available to you.
Check your eligibility today.
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