The main Arizona food stamps phone number is 1-855-432-7587, the toll-free line for the Nutrition Assistance program run by the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES). For anything involving your Quest EBT card, including balance checks and lost or stolen cards, call 1-888-997-9333, which is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Which Number to Call
Dial 1-855-432-7587 for Nutrition Assistance questions, applications, interviews, status checks, and change reports. The same line also handles Cash Assistance and Medical Assistance inquiries, and it can be reached by dialing 1-855-HEAplus.1Arizona Department of Economic Security. DES Program and Services Contact Numbers If you have a hearing or speech impairment, dial 711 to reach the standard telecommunications relay service, which can connect you to DES.
Dial 1-888-997-9333 for EBT card problems. The line runs around the clock, so you can check your balance, report a lost or stolen card, or request a replacement at any hour.2Arizona Department of Economic Security. Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Card Your first replacement each calendar year is free; after that, each one costs $5, deducted from your benefit account, with the fee waived if your balance is under $5.3Arizona Department of Economic Security. Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) QUEST Card
If you’d rather not call, Health-e-Arizona Plus at healthearizonaplus.gov handles the same tasks online: new applications, renewals, document uploads, and status checks. DES also offers chat and email support through the site.4Arizona Department of Economic Security. Health-e-Arizona Plus Application for Benefits
What to Have Ready Before You Call
A few items in front of you will keep the call short.
- Your Social Security number and date of birth, used to verify identity.
- Your 10-digit case number, if you’re already receiving benefits. It appears on official notices mailed to your address.
- Exact monthly gross income figures for everyone in your household, before taxes.
- Your monthly rent or mortgage amount and utility costs (electricity, gas, water).
DES uses these numbers directly in benefit calculations, so rounding or guessing can slow things down or trigger a callback.
Applying, Checking Status, and the Phone Interview
You can apply by calling 1-855-432-7587, online through Health-e-Arizona Plus, or in person at a local DES office.5Arizona Department of Economic Security. Nutrition Assistance Whichever route you take, an eligibility interview is required before DES decides your case. That interview can happen by phone or in person at a Family Assistance Administration office, and no benefits are issued until it’s done.6Arizona Department of Economic Security. Interview Requirements Missing the appointment is one of the most common reasons an application stalls, so keep the scheduled time or call to reschedule.
To complete the interview by phone, call 1-855-432-7587 and follow the prompts for new applications or renewals. Wait times run from about 30 minutes to over an hour depending on call volume. During the interview, a DES worker walks through the details you submitted and asks follow-up questions about income, expenses, and who lives with you.
The same number has an automated status check. It asks for your identifying information and reports whether your application is pending, approved, or waiting on documentation. Your Health-e-Arizona Plus account shows the same information online.
Reporting Changes by Phone
Once you’re approved, you can call 1-855-432-7587 and choose the change report option to update your case. The deadline is the 10th calendar day of the month after the change happens, so a change in March is due by April 10.7Arizona Department of Economic Security. Change Report for Nutrition, Cash, and Medical Assistance Benefits Arizona uses simplified reporting, so not every small fluctuation needs a call. What you do have to report:
- Household gross income rising above 130 percent of the federal poverty level.
- Any single gambling or lottery win of $4,500 or more.
- If you’re an able-bodied adult without dependents age 18–54, work hours dropping below 20 per week or 80 per month.
Federal rules also require reporting changes in household composition and address.8eCFR. 7 CFR 273.12 – Household Responsibility to Report Late reporting can trigger an overpayment claim or a temporary disqualification.
If You Need Benefits Fast
Mention expedited service when you call if your situation is urgent. Expedited processing requires DES to issue benefits within seven calendar days of your application date, with the clock starting the day after DES receives it. You qualify if any of the following is true:
- Your gross income for the application month is under $150 and your liquid resources (cash, checking, savings) are $100 or less.
- You’re a destitute migrant or seasonal farmworker with liquid resources of $100 or less.
- Your combined gross income and liquid resources are less than your rent or mortgage plus your utility allowance.
Flag this on the call or note it on your application so DES can route your case for faster processing.9Arizona Department of Economic Security. Requirements for NA Expedited Services