How to Apply for IHSS in Arizona: DE-828, Screening, Timeline

Arizona does not run a program called IHSS. If you’re looking at how to apply for IHSS in Arizona, the program you actually want is the Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS), a Medicaid program administered by the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) that pays for in-home care for people who need a nursing-facility level of help.¹ You apply by submitting the DE-828 application, completing a home assessment called the Pre-Admission Screening, and waiting through a standard 45-day processing period.

Confirm You Qualify Before You Apply

ALTCS has two eligibility tests: medical and financial. On the medical side, a nurse assessor decides whether your ability to handle basic self-care, combined with your medical conditions, puts you at immediate risk of needing institutional care. You don’t have to live in a nursing home to qualify; many ALTCS members receive services at home.²

The financial limits for 2026 are strict. A single applicant’s gross monthly income cannot exceed $2,982.³ Countable assets are capped at $2,000 for a single applicant.⁴ Your primary home, one vehicle, personal belongings, and certain other items are typically excluded from the asset count.

If you’re married and your spouse is not applying, federal spousal-impoverishment rules let the community spouse keep a protected share of the couple’s resources and, in some cases, part of the applicant’s monthly income.⁵ The maximum monthly spousal maintenance standard in Arizona for 2026 is $4,066.50.⁶ Many couples close to the limits work with an eligibility specialist or elder-law attorney before filing.

Gather Your Documents First

Missing paperwork is the single biggest cause of delay. Pull everything together before you open the application:

Government-issued photo ID, Social Security card, and proof of Arizona residency such as a utility bill or lease.
Medical records covering your diagnoses, functional limitations, and current treatments. Ask your doctor for a summary letter describing the daily assistance you need.
Recent bank statements, income records (Social Security award letters, pension statements, pay stubs), and information about property, investments, or insurance policies.
Your Medicare card, if you have one, and details about any private health insurance.

Submit the DE-828

The application form is the DE-828, “Filing an Application for the Arizona Long Term Care System.”⁴ You have three ways to file:

Online. Start through the Health-e-Arizona Plus (HEAplus) portal, which lets you upload supporting documents digitally. This is the fastest option.
By mail. Send your completed application to AHCCCS, P.O. Box 6050, MD 15023 ALTCS, Phoenix, AZ 85002-5520.⁷
In person. Visit a local Department of Economic Security (DES) office or an Area Agency on Aging for help completing and submitting the form.

You can also request a paper application by calling ALTCS at (888) 621-6880. Fill in every field. Blank spots trigger requests for additional information, and each request pushes back your timeline. Keep copies of everything you send and any confirmation you receive.

The Pre-Admission Screening

After AHCCCS receives your application, a nurse or caseworker contacts you to schedule a Pre-Admission Screening (PAS). This is where medical eligibility is actually decided, and it usually happens at your home.

The screening has two parts. The functional assessment looks at how independently you move around, transfer between a bed and a chair, bathe, dress, groom, eat, and use the bathroom. The medical assessment covers conditions that affect those tasks, including cognitive functioning, medical stability, and vision. The nurse then decides whether your combined needs meet the institutional level-of-care threshold.²

Be honest and specific about your worst days, not your best. Assessors can only document what they observe and what you tell them. If you need help getting out of the bathtub, say so. If you’ve fallen recently, mention it. Having a family member present who sees your daily routine can help make sure nothing gets left out.

How Long It Takes

AHCCCS has a standard processing period of 45 calendar days from the date the application is received. That timeline can stretch if additional information is needed or if scheduling the PAS takes longer than usual. Missing paperwork is the most common cause of delay, so submit everything the DE-828 asks for up front and respond quickly to any follow-up request.

If you or a family member needs help immediately, ask the ALTCS toll-free line at (888) 621-6880 about expedited processing. Applicants already in a hospital or nursing facility who need to transition home may qualify for faster review.⁴

If You Are Denied

A denial isn’t the end. AHCCCS sends a written notice explaining the reason, and you can request a fair hearing through the Office of Administrative Hearings.⁸ You generally have 30 days from the date on the notice to file, so act on the letter right away.

Common reasons for denial include income or assets slightly above the limits, incomplete medical documentation, or a PAS score that doesn’t reach the institutional level-of-care threshold. If the denial was financial, check whether every asset exclusion was applied correctly. If it was medical, consider getting a more detailed letter from your physician that speaks directly to your daily functional limitations. Applicants denied on the first pass often win on appeal with stronger documentation.

1
AHCCCS. ALTCS: Health Insurance for Individuals Who Require Nursing Facility Level of Care
2
Arizona Joint Legislative Budget Committee. Program Summary – AXS – Long Term Care System
3
Medicaid.gov. January 2026 SSI and Spousal CIB
4
AHCCCS. Filing an Application for the Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) – DE-828
5
Medicaid.gov. Spousal Impoverishment
6
AHCCCS. Share of Cost (SOC) Deductions
7
AHCCCS. Request for Application for Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS)
8
AHCCCS. 1701 Eligibility Appeals