ALTCS—Get Help and Guidance at Senior Planning

What is ALTCS?

ALTCS (pronounced ALTECS) is an acronym for the Arizona Long Term Care System. ALTCS is an Arizona Medicaid program designed to help seniors and individuals with disabilities afford long-term care services. ALTCS can provide services in a nursing facility, assisted living setting, or an individual’s own home depending on eligibility and care needs. The program requires an application and includes both financial and medical eligibility requirements.

Senior Planning is not the governmental ALTCS office. We help Arizona families understand the program, navigate the application process, and find appropriate long-term care. For information directly from the State of Arizona, visit the official AHCCCS Arizona Long Term Care System page.

ALTCS Eligibility

The ALTCS program is designed for individuals who require a nursing-facility level of care but does not require an applicant to actually live in a nursing home. Many ALTCS members receive services at home or in an assisted living setting. Eligibility generally involves two important components: financial eligibility and a functional and medical assessment.

The financial evaluation considers an applicant’s income and countable resources. Our team can review your circumstances and help determine what may be needed to meet ALTCS eligibility requirements. We also assist applicants who exceed certain financial limits or need additional documentation, helping families navigate the ALTCS application process.

The second component is the functional and medical assessment, commonly known as the Pre-Admission Screening (PAS). For elderly and physically disabled applicants, the assessment considers medical conditions, functional limitations, and other long-term care needs. A PAS score of 60 points or more generally establishes the required level of care for these applicants.

2026 ALTCS Financial Eligibility

Updated August 2026

Financial eligibility for ALTCS is based primarily on an applicant’s income and countable resources. The rules differ depending on marital status and other circumstances, and many assets are excluded from the eligibility calculation. For a more detailed discussion, see our ALTCS eligibility guide.

Income

For 2026, the ALTCS gross monthly income standard is $2,982 for an individual applicant, which is 300% of the Federal Benefit Rate. Applicants with income above this amount may still be able to qualify through an Income Only Trust, commonly called a Miller Trust. The current figure can also be verified in the AHCCCS Eligibility Policy Manual.

Special rules apply when an applicant is married and one spouse remains living in the community. These rules may allow a portion of the applicant’s income to be used for the needs of the community spouse. Effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, the Monthly Spousal Need Standard is $2,705. Additional amounts may be available based on qualifying shelter and utility expenses. The maximum monthly spousal needs standard for 2026 is $4,066.50.

Assets and the Community Spouse

For a single ALTCS applicant, countable resources generally cannot exceed $2,000. Married applicants are subject to additional rules, particularly when one spouse remains living in the community.

Community spouse rules can protect a portion of a married couple’s resources for the spouse who is not receiving long-term care. For 2026, the Community Spouse Resource Deduction (CSRD) ranges from $32,532 to $162,660, depending on the couple’s circumstances and resource assessment. The current standards are published in the AHCCCS Community Spouse Resource policy.

Not every asset is counted toward the ALTCS resource limit. Depending on the circumstances, exclusions may apply to a primary residence, one vehicle, household and personal belongings, certain burial arrangements, and other property.

Home Ownership

Owning a home does not automatically prevent someone from qualifying for ALTCS. A primary residence may be excluded from countable resources when the applicable requirements are met. Home ownership can involve additional rules concerning occupancy, ownership interests, trusts, home equity, and estate recovery, so the effect of a home should be reviewed based on the applicant’s individual circumstances.

Transfers and the Five-Year Look-Back

ALTCS reviews certain asset transfers made during the 60 months before the month of application. Giving away property or transferring assets for less than fair market value can affect eligibility and may result in a period during which ALTCS will not pay for long-term care services. AHCCCS explains the look-back period and transfer rules in its official ALTCS transfer policy.

Because financial eligibility can vary significantly based on marital status, income, resources, trusts, home ownership, and prior transfers, Senior Planning can review your circumstances and help determine what steps may be needed to qualify.

Finding ALTCS Providers

Qualifying for ALTCS is only part of the process. Families also need to determine where and how care will be provided. Senior Planning can help identify appropriate care options throughout Arizona, including assisted living communities, residential care homes, nursing facilities, and in-home services. We can often begin helping families explore care options while an ALTCS application is still pending.

Free Services

Senior Planning does not charge clients for consultations about the ALTCS application or for assistance finding care. When we help place a client with a participating care community, Senior Planning may receive a commission from the community. We also offer more comprehensive benefits assistance services for families who need additional help with the ALTCS process.