Phoenix is offering short-term financial assistance to residents who recently lost federal food assistance benefits, creating a new program designed to help households cover essential expenses while adjusting to the loss of SNAP eligibility.
The Targeted One-Time Crisis Assistance Program provides up to $700 in support for qualifying households that lost Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits on or after Oct. 1, 2025. Eligible applicants must live within Phoenix or receive water service from the city.
Under the program, participants will receive $600 credited toward a utility account and an additional $100 for transportation, either through a gas card or a Valley Metro bus or light rail pass. The assistance is funded through a $3.15 million allocation approved by the Phoenix City Council and will be available until funding is exhausted.
The initiative comes as Arizona has experienced a sharp decline in SNAP participation following changes to federal eligibility requirements enacted in 2025. Those changes expanded work requirements, limited states’ flexibility in granting waivers, and modified eligibility for some legal immigrants, contributing to a significant reduction in the number of Arizonans receiving food assistance.
City officials say the program is intended to provide temporary relief for households facing financial strain after losing federal benefits. Applications are available online, and eligible residents must provide identification, proof of residency, SNAP case information, and utility account details. The city expects to process applications within 15 business days.
