While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the LIHEAP program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Table of Contents
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program provides financial assistance to low-income families. The goal of TANF is to help families become financially self-sufficient. States and U.S. Territories receive block grants from the federal government, which are used to fund each state and territory’s specific TANF program.
Learn more about the TANF program and its primary purposes here
In Arizona, the TANF program is known as Cash Assistance in Arizona. To learn more about Cash Assistance and the assistance benefits it provides, visit the Arizona Cash Assistance website here.
Cash Assistance in Arizona provides temporary financial assistance to financially support families in need. The Cash Assistance program also provides eligible families with work preparation services to help them re-enter the workforce or find more stable employment.
For more information on the services the Cash Assistance program provides to participating families, review the Arizona TANF Jobs Program website here.
Cash Assistance and Food Assistance are both assistance programs administered by the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES). While Food Assistance benefits can only be used to purchase foods that have been approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cash Assistance benefits are financial benefits that can be used however the participant sees fit, with some restrictions.
To learn more about the restrictions on Cash Assistance expenditures, visit the Cash Assistance FAQs page here and review the section “Where can I use my Cash Assistance Benefits?”
Both Cash Assistance and Food Assistance benefits can be given to participants on an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card. However, Cash Assistance benefits can be transferred directly into a participant’s bank account or withdrawn from an approved ATM. Food Assistance benefits cannot.
Most Cash Assistance participants also qualify for Food Assistance due to the low-income requirement of both programs. For more information about Food Assistance, click here.
To apply for Food Assistance and/or Cash Assistance, visit the Health-e-Arizona benefit portal here.
If you have questions about Cash Assistance or Food Assistance, call the Department of Economic Security at (855) 432-7587.
The exact benefit amount a family will receive each month will depend on their household income, size and resources.
Eligible families can receive a maximum of $791 per month. Families can receive these benefits for up to 60 months throughout their lifetime.
Learn more information about Cash Assistance and benefit amounts in Arizona here.
To qualify for Cash Assistance in Arizona, you must meet the following requirements:
Learn more about income requirements here and work and training requirements here.
Caretakers of children who cannot be taken care of by their immediate family may also qualify for benefits under the Caretaker Relative Grant or Child-Only Cash Assistance Grant. This grant takes into consideration the situation of emergency caregivers and will only count the resources and the income of the child (if any) and not those of the caretaker.
To learn more about who can receive Cash Assistance benefits, click here.
Before you apply for Cash Assistance in Arizona, complete the following three steps:
Learn about the Cash Assistance eligibility requirements here.
Find a list of what you need to apply on the Arizona Department of Economic Security website here.
To apply for Cash Assistance online, create an account on Health-e-Arizona here and fill out the virtual application form.
To apply for Cash Assistance by fax, fill out the Application for Benefits here and send it with copies of your necessary documents to your nearby DES office. Find office contact information here.
To apply for Cash Assistance by mail, fill out the Application for Benefits here and send it with copies of your necessary documents to the following address:
Arizona Department of Economic Security
Family Assistance Administration
P.O. Box 19009
Phoenix, Arizona 85005-9009
You can also mail the application to your nearby DES office. Find office contact information here.
If you have any further questions about the application process, call the Arizona Department of Economic Security at (855) 432-7587 or send an email through the Health-e-Arizona Plus website here.
Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:
If you applied for Cash Assistance online, by fax or by mail, you may need to complete a phone interview.
You will receive a notice in the mail from the Department of Economic Security within 45 days of receiving your application with your determination, your benefit amount and how you will be receiving the benefits, through an EBT card.
If you're approved, your Cash Assistance benefits will be deposited on the first of the month after you receive your determination letter. Otherwise, you may receive your benefits in a lump sum if you are eligible for a Grant Diversion. Learn more about one-time lump-sum payments here.
Once you receive your benefits, you can use them to support your family as you see fit, while following the restrictions.
Note that if you receive an EBT card, you will only be allowed to purchase items at stores that display the Quest Logo, and you can only withdraw cash from ATMs that display the Quest Logo.
Learn more information about how to use your EBT card and how benefits will be distributed here.
If you require additional assistance or have questions about your determination, call (855) 432-7587.
If you do not agree with the Cash Assistance benefit decision given to you by the Arizona Department of Economic Security, you can appeal your decision in person or by mail within 30 days of the mailing date of your determination letter.
To file an appeal in person, you will need to complete the Appeal Request here and submit it at your local DES office. You will need to speak with a representative and tell them why you are appealing your determination. You will also need to bring your benefit determination letter and evidence that supports your appeal.
To file a claim by fax, send the filled out appeal request to either:
To file a claim by mail, you will need to send the request letter to your local DES office. You must also enclose a copy of your determination letter when filing an appeal by mail. Find office locations here. Alternatively, you can just need to write a letter that includes the following information:
For more information on the appeal process, read pages 2 and 3 of the Appeal Request form here and on the DES website here.
For help with obtaining Cash Assistance in Arizona, or for any further questions about your application, call the Arizona Department of Economic Security at (855) 432-7587. You can also send an email through the Health-e-Arizona Plus website here.
The DES Call Center is available Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
You can also visit or call a local DES Office for further assistance. Find your nearest location here.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free TANF Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility requirements and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view our free guide here.