Does Arizona Medicaid pay for assisted living?
Yes, for the care part. In Arizona, Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS), Elderly and Physically Disabled can pay for care in assisted living. Rent and meals are generally paid by the resident.
Arizona · checked September 2026
Senior care help in Arizona
How Arizona helps pay for long-term care, who to call when you need help or something's wrong, and how to check a facility before you sign.
The first question
Is there public help paying for assisted living in Arizona?
Yes, for the care. Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS), Elderly and Physically Disabled helps pay for care in assisted living. Rent and meals are usually still paid by the resident, often from Social Security.
Paying for senior care in Arizona
Arizona's Medicaid rules for long-term care, and the programs that pay for care outside a nursing home.
Monthly income limit
$2,982
2026
ALTCS gross monthly income limit for one person (300% of the SSI federal benefit rate), effective January 1, 2026. If income is over this, an Income-Only Trust (also called a Miller trust) can let the person qualify.
Asset limit (single person)
$2,000
2026
Countable resources for a single applicant. If there is a spouse living at home, between $32,532 and $162,660 of the couple's resources may be set aside for that spouse.
If income is over the limit
Arizona uses a hard income cap. People over it can still qualify by putting the extra income into a Qualified Income Trust (a "Miller trust") each month.
Look-back on gifts and transfers: 60 months.
Apply for AHCCCS; long-term care is the Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS)
Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS)
Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS), Elderly and Physically Disabled
Can pay in assisted livingArizona's Medicaid program for people who need nursing home level care. It can pay for care in a nursing home, at home, or in a certified assisted living facility, but your parent must pay the facility's room and board from their own income. Apply online through Health-e-Arizona Plus or call ALTCS.
Waitlist: Ask whether there's a waitlist when you apply to ALTCS.
ALTCS member-directed options (Self-Directed Attendant Care)
Not for assisted livingLets an ALTCS member living at home hire, train and manage their own caregiver, including a family member such as an adult child. A spouse cannot be paid under this particular option.
Waitlist: Available to ALTCS members living at home.
Who to call in Arizona
Free, and on your side. Start with the aging office if you don't know where to begin.
Arizona Department of Economic Security, Division of Aging and Adult Services
Start hereThe state's aging office and its local agencies explain your options, screen for programs and help with applications.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
A free, independent advocate for residents of nursing homes and assisted living. Call about any problem with care, rights, billing or a discharge.
Report abuse, neglect or exploitation
Adult protective servicesYou don't need proof to report. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
Phone: Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-7 p.m., weekends and state holidays 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Online reports accepted 24/7. Call 911 in an emergency.
Arizona State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
Unbiased Medicare help from counselors who don't sell anything: plans, bills, appeals, and programs that lower costs.
Senior Medicare Patrol
Help spotting and reporting Medicare fraud, billing errors and scams.
How to check a Arizona assisted living or nursing home
In Arizona, assisted living is licensed as: Assisted Living Facility. Read inspection reports before you sign anything.
Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), Division of Licensing Services
Look up any licensed community and read its inspection reports online.
File a complaint
Nursing homes
Medicare rates every nursing home on staffing, inspections and quality, with full inspection reports.
Arizona veterans homes and benefits
State veterans homes are often far cheaper than private care for eligible veterans and, in many states, their spouses.
Arizona Department of Veterans' Services (ADVS)
Free legal help and paperwork in Arizona
Arizona Legal Assistance Program for people 60+ (through your local Area Agency on Aging)
Free legal help for older adults on issues like benefits, housing, powers of attorney and elder abuse.
Arizona help for caregivers and people with dementia
Can a family member be paid to provide care? Yes, in some programs.
Yes, through ALTCS. A member living at home can use Self-Directed Attendant Care to hire a family member, such as an adult child, as their paid caregiver. A spouse cannot be paid under Self-Directed Attendant Care. Arizona's separate Family Caregiver Reimbursement Program is no longer taking applications.
Arizona Caregiver Resource Line
Trained volunteers listen, give information and point you to local help. Open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lifespan Respite (Arizona Caregiver Coalition)
Gives family caregivers a break. You can arrange in-home help and get reimbursed with a respite voucher, or your parent can attend an adult day health center, which the program pays for up to 96 hours.
Arizona senior care questions
What is the Medicaid asset limit in Arizona?
$2,000 for a single person (2026). Countable resources for a single applicant. If there is a spouse living at home, between $32,532 and $162,660 of the couple's resources may be set aside for that spouse.
Who do I call with a complaint about an assisted living or nursing home in Arizona?
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program: 602-542-6454 ext. 9. It's free and independent.
National help that works in Arizona too
Senior living in Arizona cities
Senior care guides for other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
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- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
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- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Researched from 24 sources, official pages first. Last checked .