Arizona financial assistance directory
Low-Income Help and Resources in Arizona
If household costs are hard to manage, Arizona has programs that may help with food, housing, utilities, healthcare, child care, and other basic needs. Start with the statewide options below, then follow the local application route when a program is handled by a county, city, Tribal government, or community provider.
Money Fit serves Arizona residents statewide. If debt or monthly payments are also part of the problem, call 800-432-0310 or start a confidential debt review.
Where to start
The best starting point depends on whether the need involves state benefits, local housing or utility help, or another community service. Eligibility, funding, waiting lists, and application methods can vary.
Apply for food, cash, or health coverage
Health-e-Arizona Plus is the current online application for Arizona Nutrition Assistance, Cash Assistance, AHCCCS health coverage, and KidsCare.
Find nearby help
211 Arizona connects residents with food, housing, utilities, healthcare, transportation, employment, family services, heat relief, and other local resources.
Housing or utility assistance
Current help is routed through DES utility programs, Short-Term Crisis Services, Community Action Agencies, public housing authorities, and local homelessness programs.
Arizona uses more than one benefit portal. Health-e-Arizona Plus currently handles Nutrition Assistance, Cash Assistance, and AHCCCS-related applications. The A-to-Z Arizona portal is used for Child Care Assistance and the combined LIHEAP/Power AZ utility application. For Health-e-Arizona Plus help, call 855-432-7587.
Food assistance
For ongoing grocery help, start with Arizona Nutrition Assistance or WIC when it fits the household. For food needed sooner, use the Arizona Food Bank Network or call 211.
Arizona Nutrition Assistance
Arizona's SNAP program provides monthly food benefits to eligible households through EBT. Applications can be submitted through Health-e-Arizona Plus, and DES Family Assistance Administration offices can help residents who need an in-person route.
Health-e-Arizona Plus: 855-432-7587
Arizona WIC
WIC provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals for eligible pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum participants, infants, and children under age five. Local clinics handle enrollment.
Arizona WIC: 800-252-5942
Arizona Food Bank Network
The Arizona Food Bank Network maintains a statewide directory of food banks, pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and other organizations that distribute emergency food. Hours and eligibility can change, so confirm details before visiting.
Housing, rent, and utility help
Arizona no longer has one active statewide rental-assistance application. Current help is divided among utility programs, Community Action Agencies, Short-Term Crisis Services, public housing authorities, affordable-rental listings, legal aid, and local homelessness systems.
LIHEAP and Power AZ
Arizona's combined utility application screens households for LIHEAP and the newer Power AZ program. Power AZ expands utility-assistance eligibility to some households whose income is above the LIHEAP limit. Applications are submitted through A-to-Z Arizona or with help from a Community Action Agency.
Utility assistance line: 866-494-1981
Short-Term Crisis Services
STCS may help eligible low-income families with a dependent child during an immediate financial crisis. Assistance can include rent or mortgage payments to prevent homelessness, emergency shelter, utility payments, rental deposits, and certain employment-related needs.
HousingSearch.AZ.gov
Search market-rate and affordable rentals, accessible units, senior and veteran housing, and other listings across Arizona. Contact the property directly to confirm availability, rent, eligibility, and whether a listing is current.
Search assistance: 877-428-8844
Local public housing authorities
Public housing and Housing Choice Voucher programs are managed by local housing authorities. Arizona has multiple public housing agencies, and waiting-list status differs by jurisdiction. The Arizona Public Housing Authority itself administers vouchers only for Yavapai County.
HUD public housing help: 800-955-2232
Arizona Weatherization Assistance Program
Income-eligible homeowners and renters with landlord permission may qualify for home improvements that reduce energy use and improve health and safety. Applications go to the provider serving the applicant's county or city.
Arizona eviction and legal-aid resources
Arizona Courts provides current eviction-process information and regional legal-aid contacts. AZLawHelp can also help residents search for free or reduced-cost civil legal services by county.
Avoid old Arizona Rental Assistance links. The statewide Arizona Rental Assistance Program ended in 2024 and no longer accepts applications. For current help, use Short-Term Crisis Services when eligible, a local Community Action Agency, 211 Arizona, the public housing agency serving your area, or local homelessness and legal-aid programs.
Healthcare coverage and clinics
AHCCCS administers Arizona Medicaid, KidsCare, Medicare Savings Programs, long-term-care coverage, and related public health insurance programs. The correct application route depends on the applicant and type of coverage.
AHCCCS Medical Assistance
AHCCCS provides health coverage to eligible Arizona residents through several Medicaid programs. Health-e-Arizona Plus can be used to apply for most medical assistance programs and manage benefits online.
Health-e-Arizona Plus: 855-432-7587
KidsCare
KidsCare is Arizona's Children's Health Insurance Program for eligible uninsured children under age 19 who do not qualify for Medicaid. KidsCare monthly premiums are currently suspended until further notice.
Community health centers
Federally supported health centers provide primary care and may offer dental, pharmacy, behavioral health, substance-use, and other services. Health centers serve insured and uninsured patients and use sliding-fee programs based on income and family size.
Child care, family, and cash assistance
Arizona uses separate application systems for child care assistance and Cash Assistance. Head Start and local child care referral services can provide additional support for families with young children.
Arizona Child Care Assistance
DES may help eligible families pay part of child care costs while parents work, attend school, or participate in other approved activities. A waiting list is currently in place for most new families because funding is limited; certain priority and referral groups are treated differently.
Child Care Assistance: 833-947-6396
Arizona Child Care Resource & Referral
Families can receive free help locating child care and comparing options. The provider search can be filtered by ZIP code, city, provider type, hours, ages served, quality indicators, and DES participation.
Referral line: 800-308-9000
Arizona Cash Assistance
Cash Assistance provides temporary cash benefits and supportive services to eligible Arizona families with dependent children. The current online application route is Health-e-Arizona Plus.
Head Start and Early Head Start
Head Start programs provide early learning, health, nutrition, and family support for eligible young children and families. Local programs handle eligibility, applications, available openings, and waiting lists.
Locator help: 866-763-6481
Work, legal help, and essential services
Job loss, a legal problem, or loss of affordable phone or internet service can quickly affect housing, healthcare, and the ability to apply for other assistance.
Arizona unemployment insurance
Arizona residents who lose work through no fault of their own may qualify for unemployment benefits. DES accepts new applications online, and claimants must continue filing weekly claims while eligible.
Unemployment call center: 877-600-2722
ARIZONA@WORK
ARIZONA@WORK provides no-cost job-search help, hiring events, training resources, veteran services, vocational rehabilitation connections, and local workforce centers throughout Arizona.
AZLawHelp
AZLawHelp can connect residents with free or reduced-cost civil legal services by county. Available organizations cover issues such as housing, public benefits, consumer problems, family safety, disability rights, and other civil matters. Advice or representation is not guaranteed.
Legal assistance: 866-637-5341
Federal Lifeline benefit
Lifeline may reduce the monthly cost of qualifying phone or broadband service. Eligibility can be based on income or participation in programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, or Federal Public Housing Assistance. Enhanced support may be available on qualifying Tribal lands.
Lifeline Support Center: 800-234-9473
Older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers
Arizona's aging and disability networks can help residents locate meals, transportation, caregiver support, in-home services, long-term-care information, developmental-disability services, benefits counseling, and safety protections.
Area Agencies on Aging
Arizona's Area Agencies on Aging coordinate local services for older adults and caregivers, including information and referral, meals, transportation, caregiver support, benefits counseling, and other community programs.
Home and Community Based Services
Eligible older adults and adults with disabilities may receive services such as home-delivered meals, personal care, homemaker help, respite, transportation, adult day care, and visiting nurse support through local Area Agencies on Aging.
Division of Developmental Disabilities
Arizona DDD provides support and services for eligible people with qualifying developmental disabilities, including autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, intellectual disability, Down syndrome, and certain children under age six who are at risk.
DDD Customer Service: 844-770-9500, option 1
Arizona Adult Protective Services
APS investigates suspected abuse, exploitation, neglect, and self-neglect involving vulnerable adults. Phone reports are accepted during posted hours, and the online reporting form is available at any time.
APS hotline: 877-767-2385
Crisis, extreme heat, and disaster resources
If someone is in immediate danger, has a life-threatening medical emergency, or cannot stay safe, call 911.
988 and Arizona statewide crisis services
Call or text 988 for free, 24-hour crisis support involving mental health, suicide, substance use, or emotional distress. Arizona also operates a statewide crisis line and mobile crisis system available regardless of insurance coverage.
Call or text: 988
Arizona statewide crisis line: 844-534-4673
Cooling centers and heat-relief resources
Arizona expands cooling, hydration, utility, and heat-relief resources during the hottest months. Locations and hours can change, so use the current 211 Arizona heat hub or call 211 before traveling to a site.
211 Arizona: 211 or 877-211-8661
Arizona survivor support
The Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence connects survivors, families, and community members with safety planning, emotional support, information, and local resources. Its state helpline has posted weekday hours; 24-hour national hotlines remain available outside those hours.
Arizona helpline: 800-782-6400
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233
Arizona and federal disaster assistance
Arizona's emergency-management recovery program coordinates resources for people and households affected by disasters. Federal assistance may also become available after a presidential disaster declaration and only for eligible losses and locations.
Arizona DEMA: 602-267-2700
FEMA Helpline: 800-621-3362
Review the household budget and unsecured debt together
Public assistance may help with food, housing, healthcare, child care, or utilities while credit cards, medical bills, collections, personal loans, or payday loans continue taking money from the rest of the budget. Money Fit nonprofit credit counseling can help Arizona residents review income, expenses, debts, and possible next steps.
A debt management plan may help organize eligible unsecured debts into one monthly payment to Money Fit, which then sends payments to participating creditors. It is not a new loan or debt settlement. Creditor participation, concessions, account treatment, fees, and payment changes can vary.
Money Fit does not provide cash assistance, food benefits, rent assistance, utility benefits, government benefits, or emergency grants. The counseling form below is for help reviewing debt and monthly payments.
Open the Money Fit debt review form
Share a few details so Money Fit can respond to your request. Your information stays with Money Fit and is not sent to a marketplace of lenders or debt companies.
Related Money Fit resources
These resources can help with debt, housing, financial education, and assistance in other states.
