While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the LIHEAP program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as Food Stamps, helps eligible low-income individuals and families buy the food they need to stay healthy in the form of monthly benefits.
SNAP uses Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards to distribute the benefits.
The Washington SNAP food assistance program is administered by the Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). Learn more about SNAP on the Washington Department of Social and Health Services website here.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, SNAP benefits can be used to purchase approved food items. These include:
See a more comprehensive list of what you can buy with SNAP benefits here and a list of approved snacks and meal supplements here.
There are also food items that cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits, including alcoholic beverages and hot prepared food. See a comprehensive list of what you cannot buy with SNAP benefits here.
SNAP provides monthly benefits, known as an allotment, to eligible households. The allotment amount you can receive is based on 1) the number of people in your household and 2) your household income.
To calculate your allotment amount, multiply your household’s net income by 0.3 and then subtract that number from the federal maximum monthly benefit amount in the table below.
| Household Number | Federal Maximum Allotment Per Month |
| 1 | $291 |
| 2 | $535 |
| 3 | $766 |
| 4 | $973 |
| 5 | $1,155 |
| 6 | $1,386 |
| 7 | $1,532 |
| 8 | $1,751 |
| Each additional household member | +219 |
You have one year (365 days) to use your allotment or the benefits on your EBT card will be canceled.
To learn more about your benefit amount in Washington, click here.
To qualify for SNAP in Washington, you must meet the following requirements:
Learn more about Washington’s income limits and other eligibility criteria here.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as the Washington Food Assistance Program (FAP), helps families buy the food they need to stay healthy. If you are in need of food assistance and wish to apply to SNAP, complete the following three steps:
Learn about the income limits here and personal eligibility requirements to receive SNAP benefits here.
Find a copy of the application on the Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) website here to see what information is required.
To apply for SNAP online, create an account on Washington’s Assistance Portal here and fill out the SNAP application.
To apply for SNAP in person, click here to find the DSHS office location closest to you. You will need to take proof of your identity and a filled-out application form, which can be found here.
To apply for SNAP by fax, fill out the Application for Assistance found here and send it with copies of your necessary documents to 1 (888) 338-7410.
To apply for SNAP by mail, fill out the Application for Assistance found here and send it with copies of your necessary documents to the following address:
DSHS CSD-Customer Service Center
P.O. Box 11699
Tacoma, WA 98411-6699
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact the Washington Department of Social and Health Services at 1 (800) 865-7801.
If you need an Application for Benefits in a different language, click here.
Note: Due to COVID-19 the Washington Department of Social and Health Services is currently only permitting applications online or over the phone at 1 (877) 501-2233.
Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:
If you applied for SNAP online, in person, by mail or by fax, you will receive a notice in the mail from the Department of Social and Health Services with your determination and benefit amount. If you are approved, you will then receive your EBT card, or Quest card as it is known in Washington, in the mail within 14 days of your determination letter.
Once you receive your EBT card, you can use it to purchase items that are approved by SNAP at groceries and retail stores that accept EBT transactions. Learn about what you can purchase with SNAP here.
SNAP benefits are replenished each month that you are a member of the program. To check the balance of your EBT card, call the number on the back of your card or 1 (888) 328-9271. You can also check your balance online here.
If you do not agree with the benefit decision given to you by the Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), you can appeal your decision by mail within 90 days of receiving your determination letter.
To file an appeal and request a Fair Hearing by mail, you will need to write a letter that includes the following information:
You must also enclose a copy of your determination letter when filing an appeal by mail.
Once you have completed your hearing request letter and made a copy of your determination letter, you can mail all of your documents to the following address:
Office of Administrative Hearings
P.O. Box 42489
Olympia, WA 98504-2489
If you have any further questions about the appeals process, click here.
You can check the balance of your EBT card by calling the number on the back of your card or 1 (888) 328-9271. You can also check your balance online here.
Learn more information about EBT cards and how to use your benefits on the Washington Department of Social and Health Services EBT card page here.
If you have lost your EBT card and require a replacement, call Washington’s EBT customer service number at 1 (888) 328-9271.
You cannot obtain a replacement EBT card in person at a DSHS office in Washington.
For more answers to common questions related to EBT cards, click here.
For help with obtaining SNAP benefits, or for any further questions about your application, call the Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) at 1 (800) 865-7801.
To send the Washington Department of Social and Health Services information physically, you can mail your documents or questions the following address:
DSHS CSD - Customer Service Center
P.O. BOX 11699
Tacoma, WA 98411-6699
You can also visit or call a local DSHS Office for further assistance. Find your nearest location here.
Offices and services are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Food Stamps program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free Food Stamps Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, requirements for program eligibility, and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view our free guide here.
Last Updated: February 2, 2024
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as the Washington Food Assistance Program (FAP), helps families buy the food they need to stay healthy. If you are in need of food assistance and wish to apply to SNAP, complete the following three steps:
Learn about the income limits here and personal eligibility requirements to receive SNAP benefits here.
Find a copy of the application on the Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) website here to see what information is required.
To apply for SNAP online, create an account on Washington’s Assistance Portal here and fill out the SNAP application.
To apply for SNAP in person, click here to find the DSHS office location closest to you. You will need to take proof of your identity and a filled-out application form, which can be found here.
To apply for SNAP by fax, fill out the Application for Assistance found here and send it with copies of your necessary documents to 1 (888) 338-7410.
To apply for SNAP by mail, fill out the Application for Assistance found here and send it with copies of your necessary documents to the following address:
DSHS CSD-Customer Service Center
P.O. Box 11699
Tacoma, WA 98411-6699
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact the Washington Department of Social and Health Services at 1 (800) 865-7801.
If you need an Application for Benefits in a different language, click here.
Note: Due to COVID-19 the Washington Department of Social and Health Services is currently only permitting applications online or over the phone at 1 (877) 501-2233.
Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:
If you applied for SNAP online, in person, by mail or by fax, you will receive a notice in the mail from the Department of Social and Health Services with your determination and benefit amount. If you are approved, you will then receive your EBT card, or Quest card as it is known in Washington, in the mail within 14 days of your determination letter.
Once you receive your EBT card, you can use it to purchase items that are approved by SNAP at groceries and retail stores that accept EBT transactions. Learn about what you can purchase with SNAP here.
SNAP benefits are replenished each month that you are a member of the program. To check the balance of your EBT card, call the number on the back of your card or 1 (888) 328-9271. You can also check your balance online here.
If you do not agree with the benefit decision given to you by the Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), you can appeal your decision by mail within 90 days of receiving your determination letter.
To file an appeal and request a Fair Hearing by mail, you will need to write a letter that includes the following information:
You must also enclose a copy of your determination letter when filing an appeal by mail.
Once you have completed your hearing request letter and made a copy of your determination letter, you can mail all of your documents to the following address:
Office of Administrative Hearings
P.O. Box 42489
Olympia, WA 98504-2489
If you have any further questions about the appeals process, click here.
You can check the balance of your EBT card by calling the number on the back of your card or 1 (888) 328-9271. You can also check your balance online here.
Learn more information about EBT cards and how to use your benefits on the Washington Department of Social and Health Services EBT card page here.
If you have lost your EBT card and require a replacement, call Washington’s EBT customer service number at 1 (888) 328-9271.
You cannot obtain a replacement EBT card in person at a DSHS office in Washington.
For more answers to common questions related to EBT cards, click here.
For help with obtaining SNAP benefits, or for any further questions about your application, call the Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) at 1 (800) 865-7801.
To send the Washington Department of Social and Health Services information physically, you can mail your documents or questions the following address:
DSHS CSD - Customer Service Center
P.O. BOX 11699
Tacoma, WA 98411-6699
You can also visit or call a local DSHS Office for further assistance. Find your nearest location here.
Offices and services are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Food Stamps program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free Food Stamps Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, requirements for program eligibility, and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view our free guide here.
Last Updated: February 2, 2024