Arizona DES Authorized Representative for Grandparents: Form FAA-1493A

When a Helper Needs to Step In

Many grandparents raising grandchildren are in their 60s and 70s, managing a new child's needs on top of their own health concerns. The Health-e-Arizona PLUS portal is dense. DES telephone interviews require navigating income questions, household composition rules, and verification requirements. Some caregivers need a trusted adult child, niece, or family friend to handle that process.

Arizona DES allows this through form FAA-1493A — the Authorized Representative Request.

What the Authorized Representative Can Do

Once DES processes the FAA-1493A, the authorized representative can:

• File and manage the benefit application on the grandparent's behalf
• Attend telephone interviews with DES eligibility workers
• Receive notices, verification requests, and decision letters
• Submit documents and respond to DES within deadlines
• Report household changes during the benefit period

The representative acts as the grandparent's voice in dealings with DES. They can answer questions about the household, provide documentation, and follow up on pending applications.

What It Does Not Do

An authorized representative designation is strictly a DES administrative convenience. It does not transfer legal custody, parental authority, or guardianship rights over the child. It does not give the representative access to the grandparent's bank accounts or personal medical information. It's limited to DES benefit matters.

The grandparent remains the applicant and the legal caregiver. The representative simply handles the bureaucratic interaction.

How to File FAA-1493A

Download form FAA-1493A from the DES digital library or request a copy from your local FAA office. The form requires:

• The applicant's name (the grandparent or relative caregiver)
• The authorized representative's name and contact information
• The applicant's signature authorizing the designation
• The specific programs covered (TANF, SNAP, AHCCCS — or all)

Submit the completed form with your benefit application (FAA-0001A) or separately if you've already applied. DES processes it and notes the representative on the case.

The form is available in Spanish for bilingual households — a practical detail since a substantial portion of Arizona grandfamilies include Spanish-speaking members.

When This Matters Most

The authorized representative becomes critical in three situations:

Rural Arizona. Grandparents in Gila, Cochise, Mohave, or Pinal counties may face long distances to DES FAA offices. A representative who lives closer to the office or is more comfortable with the online portal can manage the application remotely.

Health limitations. A grandparent recovering from surgery, managing chronic illness, or experiencing hearing difficulty can designate a representative for the telephone interview rather than struggling through it alone.

Verification deadlines. DES sends verification requests with strict response deadlines. A representative who checks mail and portal notifications daily can catch and respond to these requests before they trigger a denial.

The Arizona kinship financial help guide includes instructions for completing the FAA-1493A, explains how the representative's role interacts with other legal documents (like a power of attorney), and provides a contact list for DES FAA offices across Arizona.

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