Applying for AHCCCS, Arizona's Medicaid program, starts almost entirely online through the Health-e-Arizona Plus (HEAplus) portal at healthearizonaplus.gov. Most applicants can complete the entire process in under an hour if they have their documents ready, and many people find out they're approved within a few weeks. This guide walks through every screen of the HEAplus application, the income limits that determine eligibility, and what to do if your application gets stuck or denied.
AHCCCS covers adults earning up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level, children at higher thresholds, and pregnant women at the highest income cutoff of any category. Arizona expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, so unlike some states, there's no coverage gap for low-income adults without children. If your income falls within the limits below, you can apply today and get a decision fast.
What Is HEAplus and Who Runs It
Health-e-Arizona Plus is the state's combined benefits portal, jointly operated by AHCCCS and the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES). One application through HEAplus checks your eligibility for AHCCCS (Medicaid), KidsCare (Arizona's Children's Health Insurance Program), SNAP food benefits, and cash assistance through TANF, all at once. You don't need to file separate applications for each program. If you only want health coverage, you can indicate that on the application and skip the other benefit categories.
The portal is available in English and Spanish, works on mobile browsers, and lets you save an in-progress application and return later using your login.
AHCCCS Income Limits 2026
Eligibility depends on your household size, monthly income, and which category you fall into (adult, child, pregnant woman, or KidsCare applicant). Below are the 2026 limits based on the updated Federal Poverty Level guidelines effective February 2026.
Adults Ages 19-64 (138% FPL)
| Household Size | Annual Income Limit | Monthly Income Limit |
|---|
| 1 | $22,025 | $1,835 |
| 2 | $29,863 | $2,489 |
| 3 | $37,702 | $3,142 |
| 4 | $45,540 | $3,795 |
| 5 | $53,378 | $4,448 |
| 6 | $61,217 | $5,101 |
| 7 | $69,055 | $5,755 |
| 8 | $76,894 | $6,408 |
Each additional household member beyond eight adds approximately $7,838 per year, or $653 per month, to the limit.
Children and Pregnant Women
| Category | FPL Percentage | Monthly Limit (Household of 1) |
|---|
| Children under age 1 | 147% | approximately $1,956 |
| Children ages 1 to 5 | 141% | approximately $1,876 |
| Children ages 6 to 18 | 133% | approximately $1,769 |
| Pregnant women | 156% | approximately $2,075 |
| KidsCare (CHIP) | up to 225% | approximately $2,987 |
KidsCare covers children in families whose income is too high for standard AHCCCS but still limited. Some KidsCare households pay a small monthly premium depending on income tier.
Long-Term Care (ALTCS)
Seniors and adults with disabilities needing nursing-home-level care may qualify for the Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) with income up to approximately $2,982 per month and an asset limit around $2,000 for an individual. ALTCS has its own separate application process through AHCCCS, distinct from the standard HEAplus application, though HEAplus can start the referral.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply Through HEAplus
Step 1: Create an Account
Go to healthearizonaplus.gov and select "Create an Account." You'll need a valid email address, and you'll set up a username, password, and security questions. Read and accept the user agreement to proceed. If you already applied for SNAP or cash assistance in Arizona, you may already have a MyFamilyBenefits or HEAplus login you can reuse.
Step 2: Start a New Application
After logging in, choose "Apply for Benefits" and select the programs you want to be screened for. If you only want AHCCCS or KidsCare, you can deselect SNAP and cash assistance, though there's no downside to applying for all programs at once since it's one combined form.
Step 3: Enter Household Information
You'll list everyone in your household, even people who aren't applying for coverage themselves, such as a spouse who already has employer insurance. HEAplus asks for:
- Full legal names and dates of birth
- Social Security numbers (or immigration documentation for non-citizens)
- Relationship of each household member to the applicant
- Citizenship or immigration status
Step 4: Report Income and Employment
This is the section that determines eligibility. You'll enter income for every working household member, including:
- Wages from jobs (pay stubs from the last 30 days are the easiest source)
- Self-employment net income
- Unemployment benefits
- Social Security, SSI, or SSDI payments
- Child support or alimony received
- Pension or retirement income
If your income varies week to week, HEAplus will ask for an average or a recent pay history so the system can estimate your monthly income accurately.
Step 5: Answer Health and Special Circumstances Questions
You'll be asked whether anyone in the household is pregnant, has a disability, needs long-term care, or currently has other health insurance. These answers route your application to the correct AHCCCS category, since pregnant women and people with disabilities are evaluated under different income rules than standard adults.
Step 6: Upload or Submit Verification Documents
Common documents HEAplus may request include:
- A driver's license, state ID, or passport for identity verification
- Proof of income (pay stubs, employer letter, or self-employment records)
- Proof of Arizona residency (lease, utility bill, or mail addressed to you)
- Immigration documents, if applicable
- Birth certificate for a newborn applying for coverage
You can upload documents directly through the portal, mail them, fax them, or drop them off at a DES office. Uploading through HEAplus is fastest and lets you track when a caseworker has reviewed each document.
Step 7: Review and E-Sign
Before submitting, HEAplus shows a summary of everything you entered. Review it carefully, since errors in income or household size are the most common reason applications get delayed for follow-up. Sign electronically and submit.
Step 8: Wait for a Determination
Many applicants get an instant or near-instant determination if their income and identity can be verified electronically against state and federal databases. If your case needs manual review, AHCCCS generally has up to 45 days to make a decision (90 days if a disability determination is required). You'll receive a notice by mail or through your HEAplus account inbox.
Applying by Phone or In Person
If you don't have reliable internet access, you can apply by calling the Health-e-Arizona Plus Customer Support Center at 1-855-432-7587 (1-855-HEA-PLUS). A representative can complete the application with you over the phone. You can also apply in person at a local DES office, though wait times vary by location. Paper applications are available but take longer to process than online submissions.
What Happens After You're Approved
If approved, AHCCCS mails you a member ID card and helps you select a managed care health plan if one hasn't been auto-assigned. You'll need to pick a primary care provider and can start using coverage right away, in many cases retroactive to the date you applied or even up to three months before, if you had qualifying medical expenses during that period.
Coverage isn't permanent. AHCCCS requires an annual renewal, and you'll receive a renewal notice by mail or through your HEAplus account roughly 60 days before your coverage period ends. Missing a renewal deadline is one of the top reasons people lose AHCCCS coverage unexpectedly, so update your address and phone number in HEAplus whenever they change.
If Your Application Is Denied
If AHCCCS denies your application, the denial notice explains the reason and your appeal rights. You generally have 90 days from the date of the notice to request a hearing. Common denial reasons include income slightly over the limit, missing verification documents, or incomplete citizenship documentation. Many denials can be resolved by submitting the missing document rather than filing a full appeal, so read the notice closely before assuming you need a hearing.
If your income is too high for standard AHCCCS but you're pregnant, disabled, or have children, check whether you qualify under a different category, since the income limits vary substantially by group. Adults who don't qualify for AHCCCS due to income may still qualify for subsidized Marketplace coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the AHCCCS application take through HEAplus?
Filling out the application typically takes 20 to 45 minutes if you have your documents ready. A determination can come back instantly for straightforward cases, or take up to 45 days if AHCCCS needs to manually verify income or documents.
Can I apply for AHCCCS without a Social Security number?
Household members applying for coverage generally need a Social Security number or must be applying for immigration-based emergency services only. Non-applicant household members, such as an ineligible immigrant parent applying only for their citizen child, don't need to provide their own SSN in most cases.
Is there a fee to apply for AHCCCS?
No. Applying through HEAplus is free, and standard AHCCCS coverage has no monthly premium for most members. Some KidsCare enrollees pay a small monthly premium based on household income.
Can I check my application status online?
Yes. Log into your HEAplus account and go to "Check Status" or your case dashboard to see whether your application is pending, approved, or needs additional information.
What if I already have AHCCCS and need to report a change?
Log into HEAplus and use the "Report a Change" option to update your income, address, household size, or other information. Reporting changes promptly helps avoid an incorrect renewal determination later.
Does Arizona have a Medicaid coverage gap?
No. Arizona expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, so adults earning up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level qualify for AHCCCS regardless of whether they have children. States that didn't expand Medicaid have a coverage gap; Arizona does not.
For more on Arizona benefits programs beyond AHCCCS, visit our Arizona state benefits page.
