Basic Food (SNAP / Food Assistance Program)
WA DSHS Economic Services Administration (Community Services Division)
Basic Food combines two food programs run by the state in Washington: the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the state-funded Food Assistance Program, which serves legal immigrants who meet all the SNAP rules except the federal ones about immigration status. Approved households get monthly benefits on a Washington Quest EBT card to buy approved groceries. The benefit amount depends on household size, income, and allowable deductions, including a standard deduction, a 20% deduction on earned income, dependent care, child support you are legally required to pay, medical expenses over $35 a month for elderly or disabled members, and part of your housing costs. You must complete an interview, in person or by phone. Most households are approved for 12 months with a check-in at month 6. Households in urgent need can get same-day benefits. People on SNAP can also volunteer for Basic Food Employment and Training for help with job search, training, and education. Getting Basic Food does not count against a non-citizen under the public charge rule. Undocumented immigrants and people fleeing felony charges are not eligible.
Who qualifies
What it covers
Cost
How to apply
How to apply
Apply through Washington Connection
One application covers Basic Food, cash assistance, and Apple Health together.
- Washington Connection Open
- DSHS Customer Service Contact Center 1-877-501-2233
- Form DSHS 14-001, Application for Cash or Food Assistance Open
- Local Community Services Office Open
Documents to gather
- Photo ID or other proof of identity
- Social Security numbers for household members
- Proof of gross income (pay stubs, award letters, pensions)
- Rent or mortgage statement and utility bills
- Records of out-of-pocket medical costs over $35 a month
- Immigration status documents for non-citizen household members
Decided within 30 calendar days of filing. If you qualify for emergency benefits, you are interviewed and benefits are issued within 7 calendar days.
Worth knowing
Out-of-pocket medical costs over $35 a month for anyone 60 or older or disabled reduce your countable income and raise your benefit. This deduction is often missed because DSHS only asks about it if something looks questionable.
For most households there is no resource or asset test, because Washington uses broad-based categorical eligibility. Savings do still count for the emergency benefit screen.
The gross monthly income limit for most households is 200 percent of the federal poverty level, which from April 1, 2026 is $2,660 for one person and $3,607 for two.
The simplified senior path is not something you apply for. If your household qualifies, the state's system applies it automatically after you are approved.
The simplified senior path requires that nobody in the household has earned income. Even a part-time job breaks it and moves you back to the standard 12 month cycle.
See your next step, the documents you will need, and how to apply. Save it to your account to track your progress.
Where to go from here
VA Aid and Attendance and Housebound benefits
$2,424 to $2,874/moVA Aid and Attendance (A&A) and Housebound benefits are monthly payments added to a qualifying veteran's or survivor's VA pension. You cannot get both at the same time. Aid and Attendance is for those who need another person's help with daily activities, are bedridden, are in a nursing home because of a disability, or have severely limited eyesight. Housebound is for those who spend most of their time at home because of a permanent disability.
Last checked Jun 1, 2026
VA Survivors Pension
$975 to $1,558/moVA 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.
Last checked Jun 1, 2026
Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP)
$50 to $546/moESAP is a simpler way to get Basic Food for households where every member is 60 or older or an adult with a disability and no one has earned income. It is not a separate benefit. Your Basic Food amount is the same, but two things change. First, you are approved for 36 months instead of 12. Second, you do not have to do a renewal interview or the usual mid-period check-ins during that time. ESAP is decided only when you first apply and when you renew. A household already on Basic Food cannot switch into ESAP in the middle of a certification period. Reporting is lighter too: you only have to report if your household income goes over 130% of the federal poverty level or if you have large gambling or lottery winnings. If your household stops qualifying for ESAP during the period, for example a member who is not elderly or disabled moves in, or someone starts earning wages, you keep Basic Food for the rest of the 36 months but go back to the regular check-ins. The state's benefit system sets the ESAP status automatically.
Last checked Jun 17, 2026
Medicare Part D Extra Help (Low-Income Subsidy)
$5,700/yrExtra 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.
Last checked Jun 1, 2026
Not sure this one fits your situation? Your local Area Agency on Aging can check what you qualify for and point you to the right programs, for free. No one will sell your information, and no one will cold-call you.
Source www.dshs.wa.gov/esa/community-services-offices/basic-food
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