Money back in your pocket

VA Aid and Attendance (A&A) and Housebound benefits are monthly payments added to a qualifying veteran's or survivor's VA pension. The two benefits cannot be received concurrently. Aid & Attendance is intended for those who need another person's help with activities of daily living, are bedridden, are nursing-home patients due to disability, or have severely limited eyesight. Housebound is for those who spend most of their time at home because of a permanent disability.

VA Survivors Pension offers monthly tax-free payments to qualified unmarried surviving spouses and unmarried dependent children of wartime veterans, subject to income and net worth limits set by Congress. May be supplemented by Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits if the survivor needs help with daily activities or is housebound.

Extra Help, also called the Part D Low-Income Subsidy, lowers what a Medicare beneficiary pays for prescription drug coverage. It can cover the Part D premium, the deductible, and the per-prescription copays, and it removes the Part D late-enrollment penalty and opens a special enrollment window to change plans. Recent federal changes folded the old partial subsidy into the full subsidy, so most people who qualify now receive the full benefit. People already enrolled in Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, or a Medicare Savings Program are deemed automatically eligible and do not need to file a separate Extra Help application.

Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) are Medicaid-funded programs administered by Washington that help individuals entitled to Medicare pay their Part A and/or Part B premiums and (for QMB) cost-sharing. Washington applies a $20 unearned-income disregard and notably has no asset test for MSP eligibility, applicants are not asked to verify bank account balances or other resources. There are four tiers, each with different income thresholds and benefits. MSP enrollees are also automatically enrolled in the federal Extra Help / Low-Income Subsidy for Medicare Part D.

A statutory property tax relief program administered by county assessors and overseen by the Washington Department of Revenue. The program (1) reduces regular and excess levies an applicant pays on their primary residence and (2) freezes the residence's taxable value as of the first qualifying year, so future levies are calculated against the frozen value rather than the rising market value. The program runs on a rolling two-year cycle: applicants must meet all qualifications by December 31 of the assessment year to receive relief in the following tax year. Beginning with tax year 2025, the residence definition includes one accessory dwelling unit (ADU). Only the residence and up to one acre of land qualify (more if zoning requires).

Basic Food combines two food-benefit programs administered by DSHS in Washington: (1) the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and (2) the state-funded Food Assistance Program (FAP), which serves legal immigrants who meet all SNAP rules except for federal immigration-status requirements. Approved households receive monthly benefits on a Washington Quest EBT card to purchase USDA-approved groceries. Benefit amounts depend on household size, income, and allowable deductions (standard deduction, 20% earned-income deduction, dependent care, legally required child support paid out, medical expenses over $35/month for elderly or disabled household members, and a portion of shelter costs). Applicants must complete an interview (in person or by phone). Households generally certify for 12 months with a mid-certification review at month 6. Households meeting expedited-service rules can receive same-day benefits. SNAP recipients can also volunteer for Basic Food Employment and Training (BFET) for job search, training, and education support. Receiving Basic Food does not make a non-citizen a public charge. Undocumented immigrants and fugitive felons are not eligible.

ESAP is a Basic Food simplification path for households where all members are age 60+ or adults with a disability (per WAC 388-400-0040) and no member has earned income. It is not a separate benefit; ESAP-eligible households receive the same Basic Food benefit, but with two key process changes: (1) the certification period is 36 months (instead of 12), and (2) no recertification interview is required, and no mid-certification reviews (MCRs) are required during the certification period. Eligibility for ESAP is determined only at initial application and at recertification; an existing Basic Food household cannot transition into ESAP mid-certification. Reporting requirements during certification are simplified: clients must report when household income exceeds 130% FPL or upon substantial gambling/lottery winnings. If a household becomes ineligible for ESAP during the period (e.g., a non-elderly/non-disabled member moves in, or earned income starts), the household stays on Basic Food for the remainder of the 36-month period but resumes MCR reporting. ESAP coding is set automatically in ACES.

Washington's Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program is administered by the Department of Commerce through a network of community action agencies and local partners. Eligible households can receive a one-time heating (and now cooling) grant paid directly to the energy provider, help repairing or replacing an unsafe/inoperative heating or cooling unit, and a referral to Commerce's Weatherization Program for energy-efficiency upgrades. Heat source does not matter, electric, gas, propane, oil, coal, and wood are all eligible. Commerce does not determine eligibility or schedule appointments; the local LIHEAP provider does. RCW 19.405.120 separately requires investor-owned electric utilities to make low-income energy assistance programs and funding available; Commerce publishes a biennial Section 120 report on the statewide picture and is exploring a statewide monthly low-income energy bill assistance program design.

The Working Families Tax Credit is a refundable state credit administered by the Department of Revenue. Individuals and families may receive up to $1,330 back per year if they meet eligibility requirements similar to the federal EITC. Eligible filers can apply for the current tax year and for prior tax years 2022, 2023, and 2024, DOR sometimes mails letters notifying residents they may qualify for past refunds. Applicants can receive their refund by direct deposit, paper check, or prepaid debit card (no bank account required).

ORCA LIFT is a reduced-fare ORCA card available to income-qualified adults across Puget Sound. Most participating agencies (King County Metro, Sound Transit Link/Sounder/ST Express, Community Transit local & Swift, Everett Transit, Seattle Streetcar, King County Water Taxi) charge $1.00 per ride or a $36.00 PugetPass. Some services have higher LIFT fares (DART paratransit $2.50; Westbound Kitsap Fast Ferry $6.50; Monorail $2.00). The card itself is free; riders load funds or a pass to pay the reduced fare.

Lifeline is a federal program that lowers the monthly cost of phone or internet service for households with low income. It provides up to $9.25 a month toward a qualifying broadband or bundled service, and up to $34.25 a month for households on Tribal lands. The discount is applied through a participating phone or internet company, one benefit per household. Households qualify either by income or by enrollment in a qualifying federal program.

The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) provides benefits to lower-income older adults to purchase locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey, and herbs. It supports local farming by driving use of farmers markets, roadside stands, and community-supported agriculture; produce is also purchased directly from farmers for delivery to older adults in some areas. Funded through a combination of USDA Farm Bill federal grants plus state and local funding. A mobile app lets participants track benefit balance and purchase history and locate participating vendors. Participants must reapply each year, but cards do not require participant activation, issuing agencies activate them.

Energy bill assistance (LIHEAP, PSE HELP and similar) administered by Hopelink for income-eligible households in north and east King County.

One-time financial assistance from Hopelink for rent, utilities, and other emergency needs for income-eligible north/east King County households.

Food banks and mobile markets operated by Hopelink across north and east King County, providing groceries and fresh produce to low-income households including seniors.

Hopelink Money Management, financial coaching, budgeting support, and bill-pay assistance for vulnerable adults including seniors at risk of financial exploitation.

The Regional Reduced Fare Permit (RRFP) is the multi-agency Puget Sound reduced-fare program for riders 65 and older, riders with disabilities, and Medicare card holders. The Senior RRFP is issued as an ORCA card and gives reduced fares on participating transit agencies; on agencies that don't offer a reduced fare, the card still works but at full fare. There is no card fee for the first ORCA Senior RRFP; replacement cards are $3.00. Fare examples for Senior RRFP holders include $1.00 single rides on Metro/RapidRide/DART, ST Link/Sounder/Express, Community Transit Bus, and Pierce Transit Local; $0.50 on Everett Transit Local; FREE on Tacoma Link; $1.75 on Metro Access (ADA paratransit); $2.50 on King County Water Taxi; and Day Pass options at $2.00 on most agencies (some routes require topping up from E-Purse if the trip exceeds $1.75).

King County Metro and Sound Transit partner to issue an ORCA card pre-loaded with a 12-month, no-cost annual pass valid on Community Transit, Everett Transit, King County Metro, and Sound Transit. The card is renewable each year if the rider remains enrolled in a qualifying state benefit. Cards are issued through DSHS Community Service Offices, Public Health, Seattle & King County, and Catholic Community Services across King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties. Replacement cards are free.

A grant-based assistance program for surviving spouses of qualifying veterans, administered by the Washington Department of Revenue. The grant covers payment of property taxes on the applicant's primary residence and does not need to be repaid as long as the applicant continues living in the home through at least December 15 of the year the grant is received.

A property tax deferral program administered by county assessors. Qualifying applicants can defer payment of current and delinquent property taxes plus special assessments on their primary residence. The deferred amount accrues 5% simple interest and is secured by a state lien against the property; it must be repaid when the home is sold, the applicant passes away, or the home is no longer used as the primary residence.

A property tax deferral program for limited-income homeowners (not age-restricted), administered by county assessors. Qualifying applicants may defer the second-half property tax installment due in October; the deferred amount becomes a state lien that accrues simple interest until repaid.

Puget Sound Energy (PSE) offers a Bill Discount Rate program for income-qualified residential customers, with PSE's Home Energy Lifeline Program (HELP) layered on top to provide additional bill-payment assistance beyond the state LIHEAP program. Customers do not need to owe a balance on their PSE bill to apply for HELP. PSE also partners with the Salvation Army Warm Home Fund (funded by voluntary contributions from PSE customers, employees, and investors) for short-term emergency bill payment assistance, and offers home weatherization upgrades, an Efficiency Boost rebate program, and payment-plan options of up to 18 months.

The Veterans Pension program provides monthly tax-free payments to wartime veterans who meet age or disability requirements and have income and net worth within limits set by Congress. Pension may be supplemented by Aid and Attendance or Housebound allowances when the veteran needs help with daily activities or is confined to home.

VEMP offers protective payee services for veterans and family members who are incapable of managing their own financial affairs. WDVA takes custody of the individual's finances and ensures basic needs, housing, food, clothing, medical care, are paid using the client's limited income and resources. Acts as VA Fiduciary (federal) and/or SSA Representative Payee. Mission includes protecting client income and assets from undue creditor claims and ensuring all clients are advised of any federal/state benefits to which they may be entitled.

VIP provides grant-funded emergency financial assistance to Washington veterans who served on or after September 11, 2001 and are facing financial hardship. In FY24-25, VIP outcomes included 77 veterans transitioned to employment, 70 assisted with homelessness/eviction/foreclosure prevention, 41 utility shut-off preventions, 17 transitions to education, and 9 transportation assists.

The Washington Prescription Drug Program (WPDP), administered by the Health Care Authority, provides evidence-based prescription drug guidance to state agencies that purchase drugs on behalf of Washington residents. Through the ArrayRx Solutions multi-state purchasing partnership, WPDP also makes the ArrayRx Discount Card available free to all Washingtonians. The card offers discounts on FDA-approved prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications at a large network of pharmacies, plus two mail-order options (Postal Prescription Services and Costco). It is intended for people without prescription drug coverage, with limited or high-deductible coverage, between insurance plans, or whose insurance does not cover certain drugs/vaccines. Medicare beneficiaries without Part D may use the card; it cannot be combined with insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare pharmacy benefits, or applied to copays. ArrayRx is a multi-state program also serving residents of Oregon, Nevada, Connecticut, and Arizona.