In an effort to speed up access to vital public benefits, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs announced a $7.5 million investment aimed at reducing delays for families waiting on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and unemployment insurance.
The governor’s office said the funding will help tackle persistent staffing shortages and modernize outdated systems that have slowed application processing across the state. According to ABC15, the Department of Economic Security (DES) was recently handling around 54,000 SNAP applications — with roughly 18,000 waiting more than a month to be approved. Officials cited reduced federal funding as a major cause of the backlog, forcing staff cuts that left the department struggling to keep up.
“Programs like SNAP and unemployment insurance help families put food on the table and keep the lights on,” Hobbs said in a statement. “I understand the frustration Arizonans feel with these delays. Families deserve stability, and I’m committed to ensuring they can access the support they need when they need it.”
The $7.5 million investment will primarily go toward hiring 15 temporary staff members to process claims and assist callers, expanding vendor operations, and extending overtime pay for existing employees. The plan also includes upgrading DES technology to make it easier for applicants to submit documents and verify income.
The governor’s office said the improvements will also help reduce Arizona’s SNAP error rate — a key metric that tracks overpayments and underpayments. Arizona’s rate for fiscal year 2024 was 8.84%, below the national average but still higher than the 6% threshold that could risk federal penalties in coming years.
By expanding staff and updating digital tools, Hobbs hopes the new funding will shorten wait times and strengthen accuracy in benefit distribution — a critical step toward stabilizing Arizona families who depend on these programs.
