Arizona work requirements for SNAP and Medicaid
What the 80-hour rule means in Arizona, who runs it, and where to send your proof.
🛒 SNAP in Arizona
Called Nutrition Assistance (NA), run by Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES).
Adults 18–64 without a child under 14 at home need 80 hours a month of work, volunteering or training, or an exemption, to keep SNAP past 3 months in 3 years.
🩺 Medicaid in Arizona
Expansion coverage is called AHCCCS (Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System) - Adult Group. Arizona expanded Medicaid, so the work rule applies to adults 19–64 in the expansion group, starting January 1, 2027.
Run by Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS).
📌 AHCCCS work requirements start 2027-01-01 for expansion adults 19-64 (~417,000 members). Earlier 'AHCCCS Works' waiver (2019) was never implemented. SNAP: partial ABAWD time-limit waiver (some areas only) in effect as of 2026-10-01 per USDA FNS.
Some areas of Arizona have a federal waiver of the SNAP time limit. Ask your caseworker whether your county or city is included before counting hours.
Where to report and upload proof
- Health-e-Arizona Plus: report changes and upload documents
- Nutrition Assistance (NA) work rules (official)
- AHCCCS (Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System) - Adult Group (official)
Always follow the deadlines in the letters Arizona sends you. If you get a notice about work requirements, answer it before the due date, even if you think you’re exempt.
What counts toward 80 hours
- Paid work, including gig work like delivery or rideshare
- Volunteering or community service (usually with a nonprofit or public agency)
- Job training or a work program, including SNAP Employment & Training
- For Medicaid: school at least half-time, or monthly income of at least $580
Check if you’re exempt · How to prove volunteer hours
Keep proof of every hour
my80hours is a free app that logs your hours, saves photos of pay stubs and sign-in sheets, gets volunteer letters signed, and makes a PDF for your caseworker. No sign-up. Your info stays on your phone.
Start my free logState details last checked October 10, 2026.
This page explains federal rules as of October 10, 2026. It is not legal advice and my80hours is not a government site. Your state sets many details, so always follow the notices your state sends you, and ask your caseworker or a legal aid office if you’re unsure.
Sources
- des.az.gov/services/basic-needs/food-assistance/nutrition-assistance/work-requirements-abl
- www.healthearizonaplus.gov/
- www.azahcccs.gov/AHCCCS/Initiatives/HR1/
- www.azahcccs.gov/shared/News/GeneralNews/LaunchKeepMyAHCCCS.html
- keepmyahcccs.com/
- www.azahcccs.gov/AHCCCS/Initiatives/AHCCCSWorksCommunityEngagement/
- www.kff.org/medicaid/status-of-state-medicaid-expansion-decisions/
- www.kff.org/medicaid/medicaid-waiver-tracker-approved-and-pending-section-1115-waivers-by-
- www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/resource-files/FY27-Quarter-1-ABAWD-Waiver-Status.pdf