Get Money for Groceries

Basic Food (SNAP)

Your family may qualify for Basic Food (SNAP) benefits – sometimes called food stamps. Basic Food helps low-income families make ends meet by providing money to buy groceries. Benefits are loaded onto an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card, which can be used like a debit card at grocery stores and many convenience stores, mini-marts and famers markets.

You can apply for Basic Food at any time, and may qualify if you recently lost income or lost your job due to COVID-19.

To see if you qualify and apply, visit www.WashingtonConnection.org or call DSHS at 877-501-2233.

Legal immigrants who do not qualify to receive Basic Food may be eligible for the State Food Assistance Program (FAP).

Support During School Closures

Pandemic EBT helps families buy groceries when schools are closed. If your child is in grades K-12 and qualified for free or reduced-price meals last year, or they attended a school where meals were free for all students, you can apply for Pandemic EBT.

These benefits will be on an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card, which is used like a debit card to buy groceries. Every eligible child can receive up to $399 in benefits.

Apply by September 11, 2020. You can apply online at www.WashingtonConnection.org or call DSHS at 877-501-2233.

Can immigrants apply? Yes. These benefits do not count as a public charge. They do not change a parent or child’s immigration status and are available to all families that receive free and reduced-price school meals, regardless of immigration status.

Kids and teens are allowed to get Summer Meals from schools or community sites and get Pandemic EBT at the same time. They are separate programs, and your family can participate in both.

If your household already receives Basic Food (SNAP) benefits, you will receive Pandemic EBT automatically. If you have questions about this benefit, call DSHS at 877-501-2233.

Translated information about Pandemic EBT is available here: Chinese | Korean | Lao | Russian | Somali | Spanish | Vietnamese