Food Stamps + WIC

You should apply to Food Stamps ASAP!
After that, check: Other Food Resources: Food Banks, Free Meals, etc!

Washington Basic Food (Food Stamps):

Basic Food is Washington’s name for our food assistance program, which includes the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (“food stamps”) and the Food Assistance Program.

How do I apply?

Lots of options! Online at WashingtonConnection.org, in person, over the phone, or by mail. There are usually long waits over the phone.
- For most folks, after applying online, you’ll need to call and conduct a phone interview. This is still usually the quickest way to apply. They’ll give you a window of open hours – I heartily recommend calling at 8am sharp for the shortest waits! That said, they also have call-back functionality, so if you just call ‘em anytime in the morning, opt in for a call back, and turn your ringer on and keep it nearby, you won’t have to sit around holding the phone to your ear.
See https://www.dshs.wa.gov/esa/community-services-offices/basic-food (scroll down to “How to Apply For Basic Food Benefits”) for specifics
One application on Washington Connections will determine if you’re eligible for and enroll you in SNAP (also called Basic Food), TANF (for those pregnant or raising children), and other programs.

Am I eligible?

Quick answer: Click the “See if I Qualify” button here and fill out the information. This will tell you all benefits in WA state that you are eligible for https://www.washingtonconnection.org/home/
Slightly longer answer: Generally, citizens and documented immigrants earning less than 200% of the federal poverty level are eligible. There are additional requirements if you are an “able bodied adult without dependents” (ABAWD), a college student, or an immigrant.
- See here for a chart of which incomes are eligible, depending on household size: https://www.dshs.wa.gov/esa/eligibility-z-manual-ea-z/categorical-eligibility-basic-food
- More information for able bodied adults without dependents: https://www.hungerfreewa.org/abawds
- More information for college students: https://www.hungerfreewa.org/snap-for-college-students
- More information for immigrants: https://www.hungerfreewa.org/immigrants

What info do I need?

You should have a mailing address. This doesn’t have to be your legal address, but they need to mail you benefits and correspondence. If you do not have somewhere you can receive mail, there are likely options depending on where you live. In Seattle, the Compass Center in Pioneer Square has mail and other services free of charge, though you should set it up before applying.
I don’t believe you need proof of income to apply, though they may request it later.

Is there an asset limit?

Nope! In some states, you are ineligible for food assistance if you have over a certain amount of assets (e.g., house, car, savings, etc). This is not the case in Washington. There is no asset limit here for Basic Food

How much money will I receive?

It will depend on your household size, income, and some costs (like rent and child care).
The minimum you could receive is $15 a month. This may not feel like enough to be worth the paperwork hassle, but SNAP also makes you eligible for other benefits that may make it worth it to you (see below)
Scroll to the bottom of this page to see the maximum each household size may receive: https://helpmegrowwa.org/basic-food-snap

What other benefits does SNAP enable me to access?

SNAP participation may make you eligible for: free/reduced school lunch, extra money for fruits and vegetables at participating stores and farmers markets, reduced transit fare, reduced Lyft costs, reduced phone + internet costs, reduced costs for streaming platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Paramount, discounted/free museum/zoo tickets
See https://www.hungerfreewa.org/more-resources for more details

How long will it take my application to be approved?

State says about 30 days, generally: https://www.dshs.wa.gov/faq/how-long-will-it-take-until-i-know-if-im-eligible-benefits#:~:text=We%20try%20to%20process%20your,are%20processed%20within%2030%20days.

How soon will I receive benefits?

The day after your application is approved. In some cases, you may get benefits the same day you are approved.
See https://www.dshs.wa.gov/esa/community-services-offices/basic-food for more information (scroll down to “After I’m approved, when do I get my benefits?” section)

Can changing my name impact my benefits?

Yes, if you have changed your name in ?? before you change it in ??
- I heard it mentioned that the order you update your documentation in can lead to you be erroneously disenrolled, but I don’t know the details / specific order - can anyone fill in?

Where can I use my benefits?

There’s a map of stores that take EBT at https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/retailer-locator.

Any tips?

If applying by phone or in person, call as soon as they open or arrive at office before they open for shortest wait time
This is a really helpful guide with answers to frequently asked questions: https://www.dshs.wa.gov/sites/default/files/ESA/csd/documents/Basic%20Food_Q_and_A.pdf

WIC

What is WIC?

It stands for “Women, Infants, and Children”.

WIC is for pregnant people, new and breast and chest feeding parents, infants, and children under age 5. WIC helps improve the health of parents and children through:

Breast and chest feeding support (more info)
Funds for healthy foods
Health screenings and referrals

(More info: https://doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/wic )

How do I know if I am eligible?

If you are eligible for Basic Food (and meet the above child-related criteria), you will likely be eligible for WIC.
Scroll to the bottom of this page to see income limits: https://doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/wic/wic-eligibility

Where do I apply?

https://doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/wic/apply-wic

How soon will I receive benefits?

The day your application is approved. This can take {X}. (source: https://doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/wic/apply-wic)

Can changing my name impact my benefits?