Arizona families depend on Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) and Medicaid for food security and access to medical care. These programs are not optional safety nets — they are essential lifelines.

Over the past year, many Arizona households have reported a troubling pattern with the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES):

• Cases denied for “failure to provide information” despite documents being uploaded on time
• Benefits closed before stated document deadlines expired
• Repeated reapplication cycles during active certification periods
• Medicaid interruptions affecting access to necessary medication

Federal SNAP regulations (7 C.F.R. § 273.2 and § 273.10) require timely processing and consideration of submitted documentation before denial. When those timelines are not followed, families face serious consequences.

For many households, these delays mean:

• Empty refrigerators
• Missed prescription refills
• Parents skipping meals so children can eat
• Seniors choosing between rent and medication

This is not about one isolated case. Families across Arizona are sharing similar experiences in community groups and support networks.

We respectfully call for:

1. An independent review of SNAP and Medicaid processing practices within DES
2. Public reporting on application processing timelines and denial reasons
3. Immediate corrective action where federal timeliness standards are not being met
4. Safeguards to prevent improper closures before verification deadlines expire
5. Clear communication procedures to ensure interview notices are properly delivered

Arizona families deserve transparency, accountability, and compliance with federal law.

Food and medical access should not depend on whether paperwork is properly reviewed.

If you or someone you know has experienced similar SNAP or Medicaid processing issues in Arizona, consider signing and sharing this petition.

Together, we can ensure these essential programs function as intended — to support families in times of need.