Food assistance

Legal Information

In this section of Washington LawHelp you will find general legal information and resources about food assistance in Washington state.

• Applying for Public Assistance

  7903EN - Information about the application process to receive public assistance. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Russian / Pусский

  Spanish / Español

• Do You Need Emergency Food Assistance?

  7301EN - Information about qualifying and applying for emergency food stamps and what to do if you are denied. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• ParentHelp123.org Benefit Finder

  Using the Benefit Finder, families can learn if they may be eligible for free and low-cost health insurance and food assistance, and then complete their program applications on-line! Content Detail

  By:

  WithinReach

• Washington Basic Food Program - General Eligibility Rules

  7303EN - Information about who can get food stamps, how to apply and what to do if you are denied or terminated from the food stamp program. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Russian / Pусский

  Spanish / Español

• What Are My Rights? Dealing with DSHS

  7900EN - This publication lists services available by DSHS and your rights when dealing with this state agency. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Russian / Pусский

  Spanish / Español

• Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT): How to Use Your Card

  The Quest card looks like a debit or credit card. It replaces paper food stamps and welfare checks. Food stamps and state cash benefits are now deposited into an account that you spend by using your Quest card. Stores and bank machines (often called Automated Teller Machines or ATMs) that take Quest will display a sign with the Quest logo. Read More

  By:

  Department of Social and Health Services

• How to Fight a Denial of DSHS Public Assistance

  7100EN - This publication explains your rights if you apply for cash, food stamps, medical, or child care assistance from the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and their office denies you benefits. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Russian / Pусский

  Spanish / Español

• How To Fight an Overpayment of Cash Assistance, Medical Assistance or Food Stamps

  7104EN - An overpayment occurs when you receive benefits you are not eligible for according to DSHS rules. DSHS gets the benefits back by charging you with an overpayment. This publication provides info on the types of overpayments and what you can do if you disagree. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Russian / Pусский

  Spanish / Español

• How To Fight a Termination or Reduction of DSHS Public Assistance

  7102EN - This publication explains your rights if the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) tells you that it will stop or cut back the cash, food stamps, medical, or child care assistance they have been giving you. The most important thing to know is that you must ask for a fair hearing soon, usually within 10 days of being mailed written notice, to keep getting your benefits while you appeal. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Russian / Pусский

  Spanish / Español

• Do I Qualify for DSHS Services?

  Find out what benefits you may quality for. Read More

  By:

  Department of Social and Health Services

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  Spanish / Español

• DSHS Help for People with Disabilities: Necessary Supplemental Accomodations

  7151EN - If you get DSHS benefits, such as TANF, SFA, Disability Lifeline, Medicaid, or food assistance, DSHS must accommodate your disabilities. This means that DSHS must try to make their services and benefits available to you to the same extent that they are available to people without a disability. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• How DSHS Treats Lump Sum Payments

  7140EN - Information you should know if you receive a lump sum payment from DSHS. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• How to Present an Equitable Estoppel Defense at a DSHS Hearing

  7912EN - If you get an overpayment notice from DSHS saying that you owe them money or food stamps because they gave you benefits they should not have, and the overpayment was through no fault of yours, you should ask for a fair hearing, also called an administrative hearing. You have a legal defense against the overpayment. You must ask for the fair hearing within 90 days of the date of the overpayment notice. The notice may say the overpayment was unintentionally caused, rather than say it was administrative error. It will also say you have to repay it. It will not tell you that there is a legal defense against it. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Representing Yourself at a Fair Hearing

  7910EN - If you do not agree with any decision, either verbal or written, made by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), you have the right to appeal that decision by asking for a fair hearing. This publication tells you about 1) the deadline to request a fair hearing, 2) how to make the request, 3) how to prepare for your hearing, and 4) what to expect at your hearing and afterward. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Russian / Pусский

  Spanish / Español

• The Self-Sufficiency Calculator for Washington State

  The Calculator can help you: plan and develop career goals so you can work towards a better paying job; decide if a job you are considering will pay enough to meet your family's needs; determine if you might be eligible for public benefits that can help with expenses like health care or child care; test and compare different work or living options and see how they affect your bottom line. Content Detail

  By:

  Workforce Development Councils of Washington State