Find Benefits You Qualify For — Without Knowing What to Look For First
One of the hardest things about the benefits system isn't the paperwork — it's knowing which programs exist, which ones you qualify for, and where to start. A person experiencing homelessness in Phoenix might qualify for five or six different programs without knowing any of them by name. A family behind on rent might be eligible for food benefits, utility assistance, and Medicaid — but if nobody tells them, they don't apply.
That gap is what Common Ladder's new Benefit Screener is built to close.
7 questions. 2 minutes. No account required.
Find my benefits →What the screener covers
Based on your answers, the screener checks your likely eligibility for up to ten programs:
SNAP (Food Benefits) — Arizona's EBT food card. A single adult with no income qualifies for up to $291/month in grocery benefits. You can apply without a permanent address.
AHCCCS (Arizona Medicaid) — Free health insurance for most adults earning under about $1,838/month. Covers doctor visits, prescriptions, mental health, and hospital care. Being unhoused doesn't disqualify you.
SSI (Supplemental Security Income) — Monthly cash payments of up to $994 for people with disabilities or who are 65 and older. Qualifying for SSI also automatically enrolls you in AHCCCS.
LIHEAP (Utility Bill Help) — Helps cover electric and gas bills. In Phoenix summers, this is a life-safety program. If you already receive SNAP or TANF, you're automatically eligible.
VA Healthcare and HUD-VASH — Veterans qualify for free or low-cost VA healthcare and, if currently homeless, the HUD-VASH housing voucher program — one of the fastest paths from the street to a lease.
SSVF (Veteran Rental Assistance) — Short-term rent and utility help for veterans at risk of losing housing. Can move within days when documentation is ready.
TANF (Family Cash Assistance) — Monthly cash for families with children under 18 at very low incomes. Comes with automatic SNAP and AHCCCS enrollment.
WIC — Monthly food benefits, formula, and nutrition support for pregnant women, new mothers, and children under 5. Accepted at most grocery stores.
SOAR (SSI/SSDI Navigation Help) — If you have a disability and are experiencing homelessness, SOAR-trained outreach workers can dramatically improve your odds of getting approved for SSI or SSDI.
Emergency Rental Assistance — For households at risk of eviction: Wildfire, St. Vincent de Paul, Catholic Charities, and other programs in Maricopa County that pay landlords directly.
How it works
The screener asks seven questions: immigration status, veteran status, household composition, disability or age, monthly income, current health coverage, and housing situation. Every question has a "not sure" option — you'll never be blocked for leaving something blank.
Your answers stay in your browser. Nothing is sent anywhere, stored on a server, or associated with your name. There's no account, no login, and no signup.
At the end, you get a personalized list of the programs you likely qualify for — each with a plain-language description of what it provides, what you might receive, and exactly how to apply in Arizona. Every result includes a phone number and a link to apply.
One important thing to know
This screener gives you a starting point — it is not a formal eligibility determination. The rules for each program have nuances that a 7-question screener can't capture. Use the results to know which calls to make and which applications to start, then let the program itself determine your eligibility. When in doubt, apply anyway — it costs nothing and many people who think they don't qualify actually do.
If you want a real person to help you figure out which programs are right for your situation, call 211. Arizona's social services helpline is free, available 24/7, and can often start the application process with you on the call.
Eligibility thresholds current as of May 2026. Benefits and income limits change annually — confirm details with the program before applying. Contact us if you find something that needs updating.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Benefit Screener check?
It checks your likely eligibility for up to ten Arizona programs — including SNAP food benefits, AHCCCS (Arizona Medicaid), SSI, LIHEAP utility help, VA healthcare and HUD-VASH, SSVF, TANF, WIC, SOAR, and emergency rental assistance — based on seven short questions.
Do I need an account or to give my name?
No. There is no account, login, or signup. Your answers stay in your browser — nothing is sent to a server or associated with your name.
How long does the screener take?
About two minutes. It asks seven questions, and every question has a not-sure option, so you are never blocked for leaving something blank.
Is the screener a formal eligibility determination?
No. It gives you a starting point, not an official decision. Use the results to know which programs to apply for, then let each program determine your eligibility — and when in doubt, apply anyway.
Can I qualify for benefits without a permanent address?
Yes. Being unhoused does not disqualify you — for example, you can apply for SNAP without a permanent address, and being unhoused does not disqualify you from AHCCCS. You can also call 211 for free help starting an application.