Emergency Assistance for Seniors in Arizona

Written & Reviewed by

Analic Mata-Murray

Managing Editor

Yolanda Taylor

Senior Healthcare Editor

Last updated: January 08, 2026

This is a practical, plain‑language guide to getting emergency help and ongoing support in Arizona if you’re 60+ (or helping an older Arizonan). It starts with what to do in the first 24–72 hours, then covers food, housing, utilities, health care, transportation, legal help, protections from abuse, and more. Every claim includes a link to an official or well‑established source.

Quick Help Box (keep these handy)

• Life‑threatening emergency: Call 911.
• Mental health or emotional crisis: Call or text 988, or use chat at the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988lifeline.org.
• Adult abuse, neglect, or exploitation (any age 18+): Arizona Adult Protective Services (APS) 24/7: 1‑877‑SOS‑ADULT (1‑877‑767‑2385) and online reporting: DES Adult Protective Services.
• Statewide information and referrals (shelter, food, utilities, and more): Dial 2‑1‑1 or visit 2‑1‑1 Arizona.
• Maricopa County Senior HELP LINE (information & assistance): 602‑264‑4357 (HELP). Details: Area Agency on Aging, Region One – Senior Help Line.
• Pima County Helpline (Pima Council on Aging): 520‑790‑7262. Info: Pima Council on Aging.
• AHCCCS (Arizona Medicaid) & ALTCS (long‑term care) information/apply: AHCCCS and ALTCS overview.
• Find your local Area Agency on Aging anywhere in Arizona: DES – Area Agencies on Aging directory.

Tip: If you’re in immediate danger or without safe housing, call 911 or 211 first, then circle back to apply for benefits.

What to do in the first 24–72 hours

1. Safety first
   • If you’re unsafe at home due to abuse, medical emergency, a utility shutoff in extreme heat, or weather damage, call 911. For suspected abuse or neglect, call APS at 1‑877‑767‑2385 Arizona APS.
2. Call 2‑1‑1 Arizona
   • 2‑1‑1 can help find emergency shelter beds, cooling centers, food pantries, and utility assistance near you: 2‑1‑1 Arizona. They can also help schedule a call back if call volumes are high.
3. Contact your Area Agency on Aging (AAA)
   • AAAs connect older adults to meals, in‑home help, caregiver support, benefits counseling, and case management. Find your local AAA here: DES AAA Directory.
4. Apply for emergency food and cash/utility help
   • SNAP (Nutrition Assistance), LIHEAP energy help, and food boxes can move quickly once you apply. Start or check status online at Health‑e‑Arizona Plus: healthearizonaplus.gov. More on each program below.
5. Health coverage and urgent care
   • If cost is stopping you from seeing a doctor or filling prescriptions, check AHCCCS (Medicaid) and Medicare Savings Programs. Apply at Health‑e‑Arizona Plus or learn more at AHCCCS. For Medicare counseling, contact Arizona SHIP: DES – Medicare Assistance (SHIP).
6. Keep records
   • Save confirmation numbers, application IDs, and names of people you spoke with. This helps move things faster if you need follow‑up.

Reality check: Waiting lists and call hold times happen. Ask about “expedited” or “priority” help if you’re unsafe, medically fragile, or at risk of homelessness.

Table 1. Emergency hotlines and key contacts (Arizona)

Food, money, and utility help

Here are the fastest‑moving food and energy programs for Arizona seniors, with direct links to official sources.

• SNAP (called Nutrition Assistance in AZ)
  What it is: A monthly benefit on an EBT card to buy groceries. Some households get emergency/expedited SNAP within 7 days when money and food are very low.
  Apply: Health‑e‑Arizona Plus (SNAP). Program info: DES – Nutrition Assistance.
• Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) – Senior Food Box
  What it is: Monthly USDA food box for adults 60+ with limited income. Boxes include shelf‑stable basics like cereal, milk, and canned fruits/vegetables.
  How to get it: Distributed through regional food banks across Arizona (e.g., St. Mary’s, United Food Bank, Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona). Program overview: DES – CSFP.
• The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
  What it is: Free emergency groceries through partner pantries; you may be asked basic income information, but there’s no long application.
  Find local sites: Ask 2‑1‑1 or your AAA. Program overview: DES – TEFAP.
• Meals at home or in community centers
  What it is: Home‑delivered meals (often called “Meals on Wheels”) for homebound seniors and group meals at senior centers.
  How to request: Through your local AAA. Directory: DES AAA Directory.
• LIHEAP (Low‑Income Home Energy Assistance Program)
  What it is: Help with electric/gas bills and sometimes deposits or energy crises (like shutoff notices).
  Apply: DES – LIHEAP. Many applications go through local community action agencies or online via healthearizonaplus.gov.
  Reality check: Funding is limited and may run out before year‑end. Apply early and ask about crisis priority if you have a shutoff notice or medical needs.
• Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
  What it is: Free home energy improvements like insulation, air sealing, and safer cooling/heating systems to cut bills long‑term.
  Learn more: Arizona Department of Housing – Weatherization.
• Phone/Internet
  • Lifeline: Federal discount on phone or internet for low‑income households: Lifeline Support Program.
  • Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP): Federal funding for ACP ended in 2024; new enrollments are closed. Check for updates: FCC – ACP. Some Arizona providers offer their own senior/low‑income plans.

Table 2. Food and utility help at a glance

Reality check: Many programs look at household income and size. Bring photo ID, proof of address, and recent income proof (bank statements, Social Security award letter). If you don’t have a document, ask what else they accept.

Health coverage, long‑term care, and caregiving

• AHCCCS (Arizona Medicaid)
  What it is: Free or low‑cost health coverage for eligible adults, including many 65+ with limited income and assets. Covers doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, behavioral health, and sometimes dental/vision benefits depending on program.
  Learn and apply: AHCCCS and Health‑e‑Arizona Plus.
• ALTCS (Arizona Long Term Care System)
  What it is: Arizona’s Medicaid long‑term care program for people who meet medical and financial rules. Can pay for nursing homes or home and community‑based services (attendant care, adult day, respite, home health).
  Learn: AHCCCS – ALTCS.
  Reality check: ALTCS has both medical and financial tests. If your income is over the limit, ask about a Miller Trust (Income‑Only Trust). Don’t delay applying if you need help with daily activities; benefits can be backdated to your application date.
• Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB, QI)
  What they do: Help pay Medicare Part B premiums and, for QMB, Medicare deductibles and coinsurance.
  Apply through AHCCCS: Use Health‑e‑Arizona Plus or contact SHIP for help: DES – Medicare Assistance (SHIP).
• Arizona SHIP (free Medicare counseling)
  What it is: Unbiased help comparing Medicare plans, understanding Extra Help (Part D Low‑Income Subsidy), and appealing bills.
  Contact: DES SHIP.
• Transportation to medical appointments
  • AHCCCS members can get non‑emergency medical transportation if it’s covered by their health plan. Details for members: AHCCCS – Transportation.
  • Not on AHCCCS? Ask your AAA about volunteer driver programs and paratransit options.
• Long‑Term Care Ombudsman (nursing homes/assisted living)
  What it is: Free help with complaints and rights in long‑term care facilities.
  Contact: DES – Long‑Term Care Ombudsman.
• Caregivers
  Arizona AAAs offer respite, support groups, and training through the Family Caregiver Support Program.
  Learn more: DES – Family Caregiver Support.

Table 3. Health coverage and long‑term care programs

Tip: If you’re on Medicare with limited income, apply for both Extra Help (Part D) at SSA and Medicare Savings Programs at AHCCCS. Extra Help info: SSA – Extra Help.

Housing, shelter, and avoiding eviction

• Homelessness response and shelter
  Start with 2‑1‑1 to locate emergency shelters, senior‑friendly shelters, and coordinated entry access points near you: 2‑1‑1 Arizona.
  State homelessness grants and housing programs are coordinated by the Arizona Department of Housing: Arizona Department of Housing.
• Eviction prevention and rental help
  The federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) has largely ended in Arizona. Some cities and nonprofits still offer limited eviction prevention funds when available. Check with 2‑1‑1 and your AAA, and review the Arizona Department of Housing for current updates: AZ Housing – Rental Assistance.
  Reality check: Funding is inconsistent. Always attend your court date if you receive an eviction notice; missing it makes things much harder.
• Tenants’ rights and court info
  • Arizona tenant‑landlord law: AZ Dept. of Housing – Landlord/Tenant Information.
  • Arizona Courts eviction information and forms: AZCourtHelp – Housing.
• HUD housing
  Public Housing and Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) are run by local housing authorities and often have long waitlists. Use HUD’s locator to find and contact housing authorities: HUD – Public Housing Agency Contact Tool.

Reality check: Waitlists can be closed. Sign up for notifications, apply to multiple housing authorities, and ask about “preferences” for seniors, veterans, or people with disabilities if you qualify.

Utility company discount and crisis programs (Arizona)

Many utilities offer their own discounts or medical protections. Contact your utility and ask about shutoff protections during extreme heat, medical needs, or life‑support equipment.

Table 4. Utility programs

Tip: Pair utility discounts with LIHEAP and Weatherization to reduce bills now and long‑term.

Transportation and getting around

• Reduced fares and ADA paratransit
  • Phoenix metro (Valley Metro): Reduced fares for riders 65+: Valley Metro – Reduced Fare.
  • Tucson (Sun Tran): Economy fares for seniors 65+: Sun Tran – Reduced Fares.
  • Flagstaff (Mountain Line): Reduced fares for 60+/Medicare cardholders: Mountain Line – Fares.
  • Yuma (YCAT): Reduced fares for seniors: YCAT – Fares.
• Medical rides
  • AHCCCS members: Non‑emergency medical transportation may be covered. See: AHCCCS Transportation.
  • Others: Ask your AAA about volunteer driver or mileage reimbursement programs.

Table 5. Senior transit discounts (selected systems)

Legal help, fraud prevention, and abuse protection

• Consumer scams and elder abuse
  • Adult Protective Services (APS): Report abuse, neglect, or exploitation: 1‑877‑767‑2385 or online at DES APS.
  • Arizona Attorney General Consumer Protection: File complaints about scams, fraud, contractor issues, and more: Arizona Attorney General – Consumer Protection. Seniors’ page: AZ AG – For Seniors.
  • Fair housing: If you think you’ve been discriminated against in housing, contact the AG Civil Rights Division: AZ AG – Fair Housing.
• Legal aid by region
  • Community Legal Services (mostly central/western AZ): clsaz.org.
  • Southern Arizona Legal Aid (SALA): sazlegalaid.org.
  • DNA People’s Legal Services (Northern AZ/tribal communities): dnalegalservices.org.
    Ask your AAA for “legal assistance” for seniors, often free for 60+ on civil legal issues like benefits, housing, and consumer matters.
• Social Security and Medicare fraud
  • Report Social Security scams: SSA – Report Fraud.
  • Medicare fraud: Call 1‑800‑MEDICARE or visit Medicare – Report Fraud.

Warnings:

• No agency will ask you to pay fees to apply for SNAP, AHCCCS, ALTCS, or LIHEAP. If someone demands payment or gift cards, it’s a scam.
• Never share your Medicare/SSN over the phone unless you initiated the call to a verified number from an official website.

Special focus: Inclusive resources

LGBTQ+ seniors

• Area Agency on Aging, Region One (Maricopa) offers LGBTQ+‑affirming programs and community connections; call the Senior Help Line 602‑264‑4357 and ask about LGBTQ+ older adult services: AAA Region One.
• National support line: SAGE National LGBT Elder Hotline (friendly listening and referrals): 877‑360‑LGBT (5428). Info: SAGE USA.
• If you face discrimination in housing or services, contact the Arizona Attorney General Civil Rights Division: AZ AG – Civil Rights.

Tip: When calling for services, you can ask for providers with LGBTQ+ cultural competency.

Veteran seniors

• Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services (ADVS): Free benefits assistance to apply for

About the Authors

Analic Mata-Murray

Managing Editor

Analic Mata-Murray holds a Communications degree with a focus on Journalism and Advertising from Universidad Católica Andrés Bello. With over 11 years of experience as a volunteer translator for The Salvation Army, she has helped Spanish-speaking communities access critical resources and navigate poverty alleviation programs.

As Managing Editor at Grants for Seniors, Analic oversees all content to ensure accuracy and accessibility. Her bilingual expertise allows her to create and review content in both English and Spanish, specializing in community resources, housing assistance, and emergency aid programs.

Yolanda Taylor, BA Psychology

Senior Healthcare Editor

Yolanda Taylor is a Senior Healthcare Editor with over six years of clinical experience as a medical assistant in diverse healthcare settings, including OB/GYN, family medicine, and specialty clinics. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor's degree in Psychology at California State University, Sacramento.

At Grants for Seniors, Yolanda oversees healthcare-related content, ensuring medical accuracy and accessibility. Her clinical background allows her to translate complex medical terminology into clear guidance for seniors navigating Medicare, Medicaid, and dental care options. She is bilingual in Spanish and English and holds Lay Counselor certification and CPR/BLS certification.