In Washington, SNAP is called Basic Food and is run by DSHS through Community Services Offices. Apply online at WashingtonConnection.org, call 877-501-2233 (which also handles the required interview), or mail an application to DSHS. Washington uses a 200% of poverty limit for most households with no asset test. Once approved, benefits are usually available the next morning, and same-day expedited benefits are possible.
Washington is also one of the few states that uses its own money to feed immigrants cut from federal SNAP. People who lost eligibility under the 2025 law moved automatically to the state-funded Food Assistance Program (FAP) in May 2026. Their benefit stayed the same. If you’re searching for Washington food stamps or Washington SNAP, Basic Food is the program you want.
Washington Basic Food at a glance
| Washington | |
|---|---|
| Program name | Basic Food |
| Run by | DSHS, through Community Services Offices (state-run) |
| Apply online | WashingtonConnection.org |
| Phone and interviews | 877-501-2233 |
| DSHS Customer Service Center, P.O. Box 11699, Tacoma, WA 98411-6699 | |
| Gross income limit | 200% of poverty for most households |
| Asset test | None |
| EBT card | Washington Quest card, 888-328-9271 |
| Deposit days | 1st to 20th, per your approval letter; available by 6 a.m. |
| Immigrant food program | State-funded FAP, same amount as SNAP |
| Job program | Basic Food Employment and Training (BFET) |
| Reviews | Mid-certification review at 6 months; eligibility review at 12 months |
| Summer EBT 2026 | Yes |
Washington income limits
Washington’s official table (WAC 388-478-0060) shows the federal 130% and 100% limits; most households are tested at 200% under broad-based categorical eligibility.
| Household size | 200% limit from Oct 1, 2026 (estimate) | 130% limit from Oct 1, 2026 (USDA) | Maximum benefit from Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,660 | $1,729 | $306 |
| 2 | $3,608 | $2,345 | $562 |
| 3 | $4,554 | $2,960 | $808 |
| 4 | $5,500 | $3,575 | $1,023 |
| 5 | $6,448 | $4,191 | $1,217 |
| 6 | $7,394 | $4,806 | $1,463 |
| 7 | $8,340 | $5,421 | $1,616 |
| 8 | $9,288 | $6,037 | $1,841 |
The 200% column is our estimate from USDA’s new poverty figures; Washington doesn’t publish a separate 200% dollar table. For comparison, the current (to September 2026) 200% level is about $2,609 for one person.
How to apply
- WashingtonConnection.org: apply and upload documents.
- Call 877-501-2233 to apply or do your interview by phone, or visit a Community Services Office.
- Mail the paper application to the Tacoma address.
- Decision within 30 days, or faster for expedited SNAP. Approved benefits are usually on your card the next morning.
How much Basic Food pays: an example
Your benefit is the maximum for your household size minus 30% of your net income. Take a single adult in Spokane who earns $1,500 a month and pays $1,100 for rent and utilities (as DSHS counts them). With federal figures from October 1, 2026:
| Step | Amount |
|---|---|
| Gross pay | $1,500 |
| Minus 20% earned income deduction ($300) | $1,200 |
| Minus standard deduction ($217) | $983 |
| Excess shelter: $1,100 minus half of $983 ($491.50) | $608.50 |
| Net income: $983 minus $608.50 | $374.50 |
| 30% of net income, rounded up | $113 |
| Monthly Basic Food: $306 maximum minus $113 | $193 |
He’s well under the 200% limit, so the gross test isn’t the issue. Rent is what drives his benefit up. If he’s 18 to 64 with no child under 14 at home, he also has to meet the 80-hour work rule (his job may already cover it). See SNAP benefit amounts.
Reviews and reporting changes
DSHS generally approves Basic Food for 12 months, with a check-in halfway through:
| Review | When | Interview? |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-certification review | Notice comes in month 5; due by the 10th of the following month | No |
| Eligibility review (recertification) | Usually due in month 12 | Most food cases, yes |
You can turn in either review online at WashingtonConnection.org, by phone at 877-501-2233, by fax at 888-338-7410, by mail to DSHS, P.O. Box 11699, Tacoma, WA 98411, or in person at a Community Services Office. Your benefits can end if the review is missing or DSHS still needs information. See SNAP recertification.
Between reviews, DSHS requires you to report only a few changes:
- Your total monthly income goes over the maximum gross income for your household size
- Someone wins a large lottery or gambling prize in a single game
- Work hours drop below 20 a week for a person under the work time limit
Changes to your benefit take effect the month after you report. Reporting a rent increase or a drop in pay can raise your benefit, so it’s often worth doing even when it isn’t required. More: SNAP reporting changes.
State-funded help for immigrants (FAP)
The 2025 federal law cut SNAP for refugees, asylees and others with humanitarian protections who aren’t green card holders. Washington’s response:
| Who | What happened |
|---|---|
| Current Basic Food recipients who lost federal eligibility | Moved automatically to state-funded FAP in May 2026, same benefit, no need to reapply |
| Legal immigrants not eligible for SNAP only because of status | Eligible for FAP at 100% of the federal benefit level (since 2015) |
| Undocumented immigrants | Not covered by FAP |
Around 30,000 people were expected to move to FAP, and the 2026 state budget included about $44 million for it, according to news reports. See SNAP for immigrants, and remember the September 2026 public charge rule change; get legal advice if you’re applying for a green card.
BFET: job training that counts
Basic Food Employment and Training (BFET) is a voluntary program run with community and technical colleges and community groups. It can pay for training and support costs. Its hours also count toward the 80-hour work rule, which now covers adults 18 to 64 without a child under 14 at home. See SNAP Employment and Training and SNAP work requirements.
Deposits and your Quest card
Food benefits load between the 1st and 20th on the date listed in your approval letter, available by 6 a.m. Pacific. Use the Quest card like a debit card. To check your balance, call EBT Customer Service at 888-328-9271, go to ebtEDGE.com, or use the ebtEDGE app. The same site and app let you pick a PIN, freeze and unfreeze your card, and block out-of-state and online purchases. If your card is lost, stolen or damaged, call 888-328-9271 right away. See the EBT deposit schedule and how to change your EBT PIN.
What Basic Food can buy
Washington has no soda or candy restriction. DSHS lists breads, cereals, fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy, and seeds and plants that grow food as eligible. You can’t buy alcohol, tobacco, hot foods, pet food, household supplies, vitamins or medicine. Washington isn’t in the Restaurant Meals Program.
WIC, TANF and phone help
- WIC: the Washington State Department of Health runs WIC for pregnant people, new parents, babies and children under 5. Households on Basic Food, Apple Health (Medicaid) or TANF may already qualify on income, and U.S. citizenship isn’t required. Call the WIC Cascades Support Line at 1-800-841-1410 or fill out the online WIC interest form. See WIC vs SNAP.
- TANF: DSHS also offers cash and employment services for families with children, plus cash help for people who are aged, blind or disabled (ABD). You can apply for cash and food together.
- Lifeline: Basic Food qualifies your household for up to $9.25 a month off phone or internet service.
SUN Bucks in Washington
Washington paid $120 per child for summer 2026 (more than 550,000 children got it in 2025). Some children were enrolled automatically: those approved for free or reduced-price school meals, and those ages 8 to 18 in SNAP or TANF households. Others could apply until September 4, 2026. About 400,000 new cards were mailed by August, with some vendor delays. Benefits expire 122 days after issuance. Help: 833-543-3230. See Summer EBT.
Costs and error rate
Washington’s FY2025 payment error rate was 6.98%. That puts it in the 5% cost-share tier. OPB reports that would cost the state more than $90 million a year if the rate stays there. The state added quality-control staff. DSHS also requested about $49.5 million for 2025 to 2027 to cover the higher administrative share starting October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply for food stamps in Washington? Apply at WashingtonConnection.org, call 877-501-2233, mail the paper form to DSHS in Tacoma, or visit a Community Services Office. You’ll need an interview.
What is the Washington food stamps phone number? DSHS Customer Service is 877-501-2233 for applications, interviews and reviews. For your Quest card, call 888-328-9271.
What’s the income limit for Washington Basic Food? Most households qualify with gross income up to 200% of poverty, about $5,500 a month for four from October 2026 (our estimate).
How fast can I get Basic Food? Once you’re approved, benefits are usually on your card the next morning. Same-day expedited benefits are possible if you have very little income and cash.
Do immigrants qualify in Washington? Many legal immigrants who can’t get federal SNAP can get the state-funded FAP at the same benefit level. Undocumented immigrants aren’t eligible.
How do I check my Washington EBT balance? Call 888-328-9271, go to ebtEDGE.com, or use the ebtEDGE app.
More states and topics: SNAP and EBT guides. Every state’s portal: how to apply for SNAP. SNAP also qualifies you for a Lifeline free government phone plan.