Savanna Hoffman
Arizona's Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) is the state's Medicaid agency, which provides health insurance coverage for eligible individuals. Eligibility for AHCCCS is based on various factors, including age, income, family size, and disability status. For students, maintaining AHCCCS coverage while in university depends on their specific circumstances. If a student already has AHCCCS coverage, they can likely retain it as long as their eligibility doesn't change. However, if their income or other factors affect their eligibility, they may need to explore alternative options, such as their university's student health insurance plan or private health insurance. Additionally, if a student has a disability, they may qualify for AHCCCS Freedom to Work or other specialized plans.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | You must be a US citizen or meet specific noncitizen requirements and have a Social Security Number. |
| Income | Income limits vary depending on age, number of people in the household, and family situation. For adults, the income limit is 138% of FPG ($44,367 per year for a family of four). |
| Age | Children under 19 are eligible for KidsCare. AHCCCS Freedom to Work covers people aged 16-64. |
| Disability | There are more ways to qualify if you have a disability. SSI helps people with disabilities and seniors with low incomes and resources. |
| Parental income | If you are under 18, your parents' income and resources will count toward your eligibility. |
| Living situation | You need to be truthful about your living situation. |
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What You'll Learn
Income limits for eligibility
Income-based eligibility for AHCCCS considers most types of earned and unearned income. However, some income is not counted, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits and some contributions to retirement accounts.
The income limit for AHCCCS eligibility is typically listed as 133% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG). However, when counting your income, AHCCCS will knock 5% of FPL off your income if you make more than 133% of FPL. This means that the income limit is effectively 138% of FPL, and you may still get AHCCCS coverage if you earn up to this amount. For 2025, this equates to an income of $21,597 per year for an individual and $44,367 for a family of four.
If you are under 19, you may qualify for KidsCare coverage if your family's income is 230% of FPG or less. This is because AHCCCS will knock 5% of FPG off your household income if you make more than 225% of FPL, so the effective limit is 230% of FPG. For a family of four, this is $73,945 per year or less.
If you are a young adult who was in foster care and are under the age of 26, you may qualify for AHCCCS Health Insurance regardless of your income. Additionally, if you have a disability, you may qualify for AHCCCS under different rules. Your income can be higher than the standard 138% of FPL limit, as AHCCCS's eligibility rules for people with disabilities do not count all of your earned income. In this case, you may qualify through AHCCCS Freedom to Work, which has higher income limits.
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SSI qualification
To qualify for SSI, you must meet certain income and resource limits. If you are an adult or child with a disability, or are aged 65 or older, you may be eligible for SSI if you have limited or no income and resources. The income limit for SSI is generally $2,019 per month for individuals, but this increases for couples and parents applying for children. If you are applying for SSI based on a disability, you must prove that your disability affects your ability to work for a year or more, or severely limits your daily activity. If you are under 24, you may qualify with fewer work credits, and if you are between 24 and 31, you may qualify with half the work credits. If you are receiving SSI, you will automatically qualify for AHCCCS without needing to fill out an additional application.
There are several other specific categories of people who may be eligible for SSI. This includes victims of severe forms of human trafficking, Iraqi and Afghan special immigrants, Afghan humanitarian parolees, Afghan non-special immigrant parolees, Ukrainian humanitarian parolees, and certain citizens of the Compact of Free Association States (CFA).
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Non-citizen eligibility
To be eligible for AHCCCS, you must be a US citizen or meet specific non-citizen requirements. If you are an undocumented immigrant, you may qualify for AHCCCS coverage in emergencies only. Immigrants who have been legal residents for less than 5 years typically do not qualify for full AHCCCS coverage. However, they may qualify for private coverage subsidised by the government. Immigrants who have been legal residents for 5 years or longer, and some other non-citizens who meet specific requirements, qualify for the same programs that citizens can get.
If you are legally in the United States but do not qualify for AHCCCS, you may qualify for subsidised private insurance through HealthCare.gov. The government may help you pay for a private insurance plan through HealthCare.gov if your income is too high to qualify for AHCCCS.
To qualify for AHCCCS, your family's income must be at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG). This equates to $21,597 per year for an individual in 2025, and $44,367 for a family of four. Children aged 18 or younger can get AHCCCS KidsCare coverage if their family's income is 230% of FPG or less ($73,945 per year or less for a family of four).
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Parental income and living situation
When you turn 19, the rules change slightly. While the income limit for income-based AHCCCS remains the same at 230% of FPG, the maximum income threshold for a family of four is lower at $44,367 per year. It's important to note that parental income is no longer considered after you turn 18. Therefore, if you are an independent student in university, your parents' income will not impact your eligibility for AHCCCS.
If you are under the age of 26 and your parents have employer-sponsored coverage, you can remain on their plan. However, if you move out and your parents do not claim you as a dependent on their taxes, you may qualify as a single person living alone, which could impact your eligibility for AHCCCS. Additionally, if you are enrolled in Medicare and are the parent or caretaker of a child, you may be eligible for AHCCCS through different rules.
For those with disabilities, there are additional ways to qualify for AHCCCS. The eligibility rules for people with disabilities do not consider all earned income, so you may have a higher income and still qualify. Furthermore, if you do not receive SSI, you can qualify for AHCCCS Freedom to Work, which covers individuals with disabilities aged 16 to 64 with an income of up to $79,270 per year.
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Disability status
The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) helps people with low incomes pay for their visits to the doctor, hospital stays, prescription drugs, medical equipment, and other medical services. AHCCCS eligibility is determined on a month-by-month basis.
If you have a disability, you may have more than one way of qualifying for AHCCCS. Firstly, if you are on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or SSI’s 1619(b) provisions, you will automatically qualify for AHCCCS. Secondly, if you are on SSI or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits due to a disability, you automatically meet the requirement to be determined disabled by the Disability Determination Services Administration (DDSA).
If you are not on SSI or SSDI benefits, you will need to be determined disabled by the DDSA. This means that your impairments limit your ability to work, preventing you from earning Substantial Gainful Activity ($1,620 per month or $2,700 per month if you’re blind), and that your condition has lasted or is expected to last for at least 12 months. To get a disability determination, you will need to obtain medical documentation as specified by the DDSA.
AHCCCS uses two tests to calculate countable income for people with disabilities, and your countable income may differ between the two tests. To see whether your income would qualify you for AHCCCS, AHCCCS will look at the number of people in your family, the amount of earned and unearned income your family has, and whether you have Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWEs) or Blind Work Expenses (BWEs).
Both public and private colleges and universities must provide equal access to postsecondary education for students with disabilities. Title II of the ADA covers publicly-funded universities, community colleges, and vocational schools, while Title III of the ADA covers privately-funded schools. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act is a federal law that prohibits entities that receive federal funds from discriminating against people with disabilities. This means that if a school receives money from the federal government, including federal student loan money, it cannot discriminate against people with disabilities.
Students with disabilities may require modifications, which are changes to a rule, policy, or practice that are necessary to give a person with a disability equal access to a service, program, or facility. Schools must provide reasonable modifications unless they would result in an undue financial and administrative burden on the school, fundamentally alter the service, program, or activity, or pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others. The direct threat exception does not apply to the student requesting the modification; a school cannot refuse to provide a modification on the grounds that it would harm the disabled student making the request. If a school denies a request for a modification, it should suggest an alternative modification that it would be willing to provide. If the alternative modification is not effective, the student should suggest something else. If the student and the school cannot reach an agreement, the student may need to take steps to enforce their rights, such as challenging the school’s denial using internal or external processes.
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Frequently asked questions
The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) is a healthcare program that provides coverage for low-income individuals and families in Arizona.
Eligibility for AHCCCS is based on income and family size. Individuals must not exceed the income limit for their family situation, and those with disabilities or who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) may have additional options for qualifying.
Yes, an independent student in university can still have AHCCCS as long as their income is below the limit for their situation. Parental income is not counted after the age of 18, but students may need to disclose their living situation and any rent paid to their parents.
To apply for AHCCCS, individuals can visit the AHCCCS website or contact a Work Incentive Consultant for assistance. It's important to be truthful and provide all necessary information, including any disabilities or SSI status.
