Income Limits for AHCCCS Eligibility

The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) provides free or low-cost health care to low-income residents of the state. This health program represents the state's Medicaid program, funded by state and federal money, and each April 1, the state adjusts the income eligibility levels for AHCCCS, which vary according to several factors, including how many members you have in your family.

AHCCCS offers health insurance for families with children who are under 19 years old and who meet income and eligibility requirements. For those who qualify, there are no monthly premiums. Applicants must be Arizona residents as well as U.S. citizens or qualified immigrants. In addition, applicants who qualify for unemployment or Social Security benefits must apply for them.

Your eligibility for AHCCCS is largely determined by your family's income and size. For example, in order to qualify, a family of five has an annual income limit of $40,600. A family of four, can earn no more than $34,638 in order to be eligible. For a family of three, the maximum income limit is $28,676. A family of two can earn no more than $22,715 and qualify. If you are a single person, then your maximum annual income is $16,753. In the case of larger families, the income limit is set for the first five members, and then an additional amount is added to this income limit for each additional member. To find out if your family is eligible, you can visit the AHCCCS' website for more information, or use one of the eligibility calculators available online.

The program counts unearned as well as earned income. Unearned income includes benefits such as unemployment, Social Security disability, Supplemental Security Income, pensions and all other kinds of income that do not come directly from wages. The AHCCCS also counts in-kind payments when figuring income. In-kind payments include food, shelter and other items that can be converted to cash.

The program has various rules about counting income from children, depending on their age, marital status, living arrangements and status as a dependent of an eligible adult. The easiest method to calculate the income guidelines for household members is to use the matrices included in the AHCCCS Eligibility Policy Manual, available online.

A low-premium health insurance program known as KidsCare is available to families who exceed the income limits. Some children qualify for AHCCCS insurance if they are under the age of 21 and, as of their 18th birthday, were in the state’s foster care program.