Food & Nutrition

Washington Basic Food Program

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You may be eligible to receive

$158/month

in SNAP benefits. Click to apply online below and get help paying for food.

The Washington Basic Food Program (formerly called food stamps and known nationally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program—or SNAP) helps many older adults, people with disabilities, and families in Washington State pay for food.

If you're approved for Basic Food benefits, the government will issue your funds through an electronic benefits card (EBT card) called the Washington Quest EBT Card. This card looks and works just like a prepaid debit card, with a unique 16-digit account number and a magnetic strip on the back. Your card can be used at most grocery stores, convenience stores, superstores, wholesale retailers, and even farmers markets in Washington to buy Basic Food-approved food items. You can also make Basic Food Program purchases on Amazon.

Frequently asked questions

How does the Washington Basic Food Program work?

The Basic Food Program is run by the Economic Services Administration (ESA) division of the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). Community Services Offices across the state provide local support for people who receive Basic Food and other types of public assistance.

Basic Food can help you stretch your grocery dollars further every month. This is because the money you would have spent on groceries can now be spent on other basic living costs like your utility bills, prescriptions, and medical bills. There are many items that are Basic Food Program-eligible, and then others that are not covered under your benefits.

What is the Basic Food application process like in Washington?

While the idea of applying for Basic Food Program benefits may seem overwhelming, it’s not as complicated as you might think. And, you don’t have to apply all by yourself. If you need help, a friend, family member, or DSHS case manager can assist you.

Generally, here are the steps to apply for Washington Basic Food:

Check your eligibility: Answer a few brief questions online to see if you and your household may qualify for benefits.
Fill out an application: You can apply for Washington Basic Food online, by phone, in person, or by mail. Completing the application can take up to 60 minutes. Note: No documentation is necessary to start the application process, but you must complete and submit your application before you can secure a benefit start date.
Have an interview: While you wait for your application to be processed, you must have a phone interview with a DSHS case manager.
Wait for a decision: Most Washington Basic Food applications are processed within 30 days from the date on your application. If you have an urgent need for food, you may be able to have your application processed faster.
Receive your EBT card: If you’re approved for Basic Food benefits, you will receive your Washington Quest EBT Card in the mail—or you can pick it up at your local Community Services Office.

How do I know if I am eligible for the Basic Food Program?

You can apply for all the people living in your home who buy and fix meals with you (defined as a “household”). To be eligible for Basic Food benefits, your household must meet the following basic guidelines:

You must be a Washington State resident and a U.S. citizen or have certain legal status as a non-citizen.
You must have a Social Security number (or have applied for one).
If you're an adult without kids and you're able to work, you might have to work or take part in a work program to continue getting Basic Food benefits.

The amount of money you will get in Washington Basic Food benefits depends on:

How much you earn from your job or other income you receive, like Social Security
How many people live with you

What are the Washington Basic Food income limits?

The chart below shows the maximum monthly gross income households can earn and still get Basic Food benefits. In Washington, most households must meet a gross income limit of 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).

What do the terms “gross” and “net” mean?

Gross monthly income is the amount before taxes or other deductions are taken out.
Net monthly income is what is left of gross income after certain allowable expenses are subtracted.

These figures are effective for 2025 (Oct. 1, 2024 – Sept. 30, 2025). You can use the site you’re currently on to check your eligibility—just scroll up and click on the black button that says ‘See If You May Be Eligible.’

Family size	Maximum net monthly income (100% FPL)
1	$ 1,255
2	$ 1,704
3	$ 2,152
4	$ 2,600
5	$ 3,049
For each additional person, add:	+$ 449

Source: USDA.gov, SNAP Eligibility (October 2024)

You may qualify for deductions that reduce your countable income. This can help your household meet the Basic Food income limit. An DSHS case manager can tell you which deductions your household qualifies for. Common deductions include:

Standard deduction, based on household size
20% of your household’s gross earned income
Your household’s expected monthly dependent care expense
Child support you are legally required to pay to someone outside of your household
Medical expenses over $35 a month owed or anticipated by an older (age 60+) person or a person with a disability
A portion of your shelter costs

How do I prepare to apply?

When you apply, you’ll be asked for important information to help determine if you qualify and the amount you can get each month.

To apply for Washington Basic Food, you will need the following for everyone in your household (try to gather as much of it as possible):

Names and demographic information for the people in your household. If your household has mixed immigration status, you can omit information for the family members who are not eligible for Basic Food.
Proof of any household income from the last 30 days. This includes income earned from work, as well as other income sources like unemployment, Social Security, and child support.
Your household’s monthly expenses. This includes rent or mortgage payments, utilities, child support, and medical bills (for people age 60+ or those who have a disability).

If you don’t have all of this information handy, don’t worry. You can always go back and provide additional information after you’ve submitted your application. Benefits start from the day you submit your Basic Food application.

If you would like to have someone else (like a friend or family member) help you gather the necessary documents, complete your Basic Food application, and even join you in your interview, you can name that person as your Authorized Representative in your application.

How do I apply for the Basic Food Program in Washington?

There are several ways to apply for Washington Basic Food. Read below to learn more about which option might be right for you.

APPLY ONLINE

The quickest and easiest way to apply for Basic Food is online through the Washington Connection website. You’ll be glad to know that when you do, all your personal information is kept 100% confidential and protected by special security technology.

Apply through Washington Connection

To apply online:

Go to the Washington Connection website and click ‘Apply Now.’
- You will be prompted to create an SAW account if you do not already have one. We recommend doing so. Creating an account allows you to save and finish incomplete applications at a later date, see the status of your application, and view your benefits.
Read through the information on the next couple of screens and click ‘Next.’
On the following screen, enter your ZIP code.
On the next screen, check the box next to ‘Basic Food’ under ‘Food Assistance.’ Then click ‘Next.’
Follow the prompts to complete your Basic Food application. It may take you up to 60 minutes. You can save your progress and come back if you need to using a temporary code provided or the username and password you set up earlier.

Tips for success:

Fill out as much information as you can; it’s better to guess or leave some parts blank rather than wait to verify the information. You can save your application progress in the system and return later to finish it, if necessary.
If Spanish is your primary language, click ‘Español’ at the top left of the screen.
For help, call the Customer Service Contact Center at 1-877-501-2233 .

APPLY BY PHONE

To apply for Washington Basic Food, you can call the Customer Service Contact Center at 1-877-501-2233 to complete an application over the phone. If you need an interpreter, one will be provided to you. If you are hearing impaired, all offices have TTY or Voice Relay service.

APPLY BY MAIL OR IN PERSON

To apply by mail or in person, you will first need to download and print a paper application in English or another language. Fill out the application and mail it to:

DSHS - CSD Customer Service Center
P.O. Box 11699
Tacoma, WA 98411-6699

You can also drop off the application at your nearest Community Service Office. Call your local office to ask for their mailing address so that you know where to send your application.

What if I need food assistance right away?

You may be able to get Washington Basic Food benefits sooner (within 7 calendar days from the date on your application) if your food needs are urgent. Households that meet at least one of the following conditions can receive expedited (faster) assistance:

Your household will have less than $150 gross income and less than $100 liquid resources this month.
Your household's income and resources are less than your monthly rent and utilities.
Your household includes a destitute migrant or seasonal farm worker.

Need food today? Visit the Washington State website to find local food resources while you wait for your Basic Food application to be processed, or call 2-1-1.

How can I get help with my application?

There are several ways to get help filling out your Washington Basic Food application. You can:

Call the Help Me Grow Washington Hotline at 1‑800‑322‑2588.
Call the Hunger-Free Washington Family Food Hotline 1-888-436-6392.
Contact your nearest Community Service Office.
Visit a Benefits Enrollment Center (BEC), if there’s one near where you live. See if there’s one in your area.

NCOA also has a HelpLine you can call to get free support. To get started today, call 1-855-534-1245.

What happens after I apply for the Basic Food Program in Washington?

It can take up to 30 days to process your Basic Food application (within 7 days if you’re requesting expedited benefits). If you’re approved, the date you submit your application is the earliest date your benefits can begin.

After completing the application, you must have an interview in order to receive Basic Food benefits. Interviews can be done at your local Community Services Office or over the phone at 1‑877‑501‑2233. DSHS can interview you—or someone you choose to represent you.

To make sure you don't miss a letter or call from the agency, it's important to check your mail regularly and pick up the phone (even for calls from “unknown” or blocked numbers).

What can I expect during my Basic Food interview?

Don’t worry—the purpose of the interview is not to try to disqualify you for benefits. It is simply to double-check the information you already provided. In addition, your DSHS case manager can tell you more about the program, answer any questions, and help you get any information or documents you’re having trouble providing.

During your Basic Food interview, you may be asked questions such as:

What is your full name and birthday?
What is your Social Security number?
Where do you live? (You can still qualify if you are houseless.)
Are you a U.S. citizen? (You may still qualify if you are a noncitizen.)
What is your monthly income?
Do you pay utilities, such as an electric bill or cable TV bill?
What other regular bills do you have?

It’s a good idea to practice answering these questions before your interview, either in front of a mirror or with a trusted friend or family member. That way, you will feel less nervous and be able to respond with confidence.

Once all requested information is received, you will receive a letter in the mail telling you if you were approved or denied for Basic Food benefits. If you are approved, the notice will tell you the amount of benefits approved, when benefits will start, and the amount of income and deductions used to make the decision. If you are denied, the notice will tell you the reason why.

What happens after I am approved for Basic Food benefits?

If you are approved for Washington Basic Food benefits, the letter you get will explain your monthly benefits amount and how long you’ll get benefits for (this is called your “certification period”). For most households in Washington, that period is 12 months. Most households have a mid-certification review 6 months into their certification period to check for any changes.

You will receive your Washington Quest EBT Card in the mail with instructions on how to activate and use it, or you can pick it up at your local Community Services Office. Your first month of benefits will be deposited into your account when your application is approved. After the initial deposit, benefits will be deposited into your EBT account between the 1st and the 10th of every month, depending on the last digit of your case number.

Other important tips to know

What if my Washington Basic Food application is denied?

Your Basic Food decision notice will include instructions for requesting an administrative hearing if you do not agree with the decision. You must make this request within 90 days of receiving the decision.

How can I view my Basic Food benefits information?

You can log in to the Washington Benefits self-service portal to check the status of your Basic Food application, view your benefits, upload documents, report changes, and see important notices and reminders about your case.

How do I manage my Washington Quest EBT card?

To create or change your EBT card PIN number, check the balance on your card, or report a lost or stolen card, have your card number ready and call Customer Service at 1-888-328-9271. You can also visit the ebtEDGE website to manage your card. You must create an account first.

Do I need to report changes to my household situation?

You must report certain changes that can impact your Basic Food benefit amount within 10 days of the change. Reportable changes may include:

Your total monthly income is more than the maximum gross monthly income as listed on your Basic Food approval letter.
You or a member of your household receives major lottery or gambling winnings in a single game (equal to or over $4,500).
Someone in your household who must meet work requirements has their hours at work reduced to less than 20 hours per week.

When should you renew your Basic Food benefits in Washington?

When your Basic Food certification period is ending, DSHS will send you a letter and a form to apply for recertification.

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