Cash Assistance
The Cash Assistance program provides temporary cash benefits and supportive services to the neediest of Arizona's children and their families. The program helps these families meet their basic needs for well-being and safety and serves as their bridge back to self-sufficiency. Of particular importance for a parent(s) receiving cash benefits is completing and signing a Personal Responsibility Agreement with the Department that specifies their willingness to engage in work activities that will lead to employment and to comply with child support payments, if applicable.
The Cash Assistance program also provides income assistance to families in which the dependent child is being raised by relatives or a legal guardian in order to provide the child with family stability. The Cash Assistance application form serves as an application for General Assistance, Food Stamps and AHCCCS medical insurance. In this way, families provide information only once to determine if they are eligible for these services.
| Eligibility |
The following individuals may be eligible for Cash Assistance:
- Parents with dependent children under age 19 who are in their care.
- Specified relatives (grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.) with dependent children under age 19 who are in their care (Kinship Care).
- Pregnant women in their last trimester. The last trimester begins with the third month before the expected delivery date.
- Parents of a child who receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
- Individuals in the Kinship Foster Care Program. Participants in this program are referred by the Division of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), which shares information with the Family Assistance Administration (FAA) to expedite an eligibility determination.
Eligibility factors include:
- Resident of the state of Arizona.
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or Qualified Noncitizen to be included in the cash grant.
- Complete and sign a Personal Responsibility Agreement that specifies compliance with the Jobs Program and the Division of Child Support Enforcement (DCSE), as well as ensures that children are immunized and attending school.
- Meet income eligibility. Countable income may not exceed 36 percent of the 1992 federal poverty level, as required by state law. This means that for a household of two, the countable income may not exceed $275 per month and for a household of three, $347 per month.
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| Applying For Services |
Applications may be obtained at any Family Assistance Administration (FAA) local office or on the DES Forms library. Each local office serves specific zip code areas. To locate the FAA office closest to your residence go to the FAA Office Locator.
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| Fees |
There is no fee to apply for cash assistance.
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| Performance or Accomplishments |
- Cash Assistance caseload decreased by 18 percent between 2003 and 2007 due to increased employment. This translated into 14,000 fewer families on welfare. The number of families diverted from welfare increased significantly. During fiscal year 2007, the number of Cash Assistance recipients entering the workforce was 17,500. The average hourly wage for individuals who entered the workforce was $8.68.
- During December 2007, the Cash Assistance program provided financial assistance and supportive services to 37,887 families within the state of Arizona.
- The average number of children included in a Cash Assistance case is 1.65 and the average monthly payment per case is approximately $265.
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| Common Myths |
| Myth: Cash Assistance recipients have large families. |
Myth: People on welfare receive benefits for a very long period of time. |
| Fact: The statistical data consistently proves that this perception is not true. The most recent data available for Arizona indicates that the average number of children per case is 1.65. |
Fact: Currently, the average length of time an adult receives Cash Assistance is 10.4 months. In addition, the federal government has instituted a five-year time limit on Cash Assistance benefits. Initial data shows that very few recipients are approaching the time limits or have had their case closed because of time limit expiration. |
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| More Information Contact |
Contact the FAA Customer Service Unit at (602) 542-9935 (area codes 480, 602, 623 and out-of-state). The number for all other Arizona area codes is (800) 352-8401.
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| Appeals |
All Cash Assistance application denials, benefit reductions or terminations may be appealed through the Fair Hearing process. The Fair Hearing process allows an impartial Administrative Law Judge to review the determination to ensure correct application of Arizona law and FAA policy. Requests for a Fair Hearing must be completed within 30 days of the mailing date of the decision notice.
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