SNAP and food help for older adults in Washington

Three kinds of help

Basic Food: easier rules if you are 60 or older

Most households must pass a gross income test. Yours does not if someone in your household is 60 or older or has a disability. DSHS checks only your income after deductions.

Deductions that help older adults

• Housing costs with no cap. For most households, the shelter deduction has a limit. For a household with an older or disabled member, there is no limit. High rent or mortgage and utility costs can lower your counted income more.
• Medical costs. Out-of-pocket medical costs of more than $35 a month for the older or disabled member can be deducted. Only that member's costs count. Examples: Medicare premiums you pay yourself (when no Medicare Savings Program pays them), wheelchairs, walkers, grab bars and ramps, rides to medical care, a home health aide or homemaker, and a prescribed service animal. You must show proof, such as a bill showing what you owe after insurance.

Save receipts for medical bills and housing costs. Showing them can raise your benefit.

WASHCAP: food benefits for people on SSI

WASHCAP is the Washington Combined Application Project. It joins your food benefits to your SSI.

Who qualifies

• You get SSI.
• You live alone, or you buy and prepare your food separately from others in your home.
• You have no earned income (no job income).
• You are single or separated and at least 18.

How it works

• It is mostly automatic. DSHS gets a daily file from Social Security. If you get SSI and meet the rules, your case can be set up or switched to WASHCAP without a new application.
• Short form if needed. You can also fill out the one-page WASHCAP application, form DSHS 14-439.
• No separate interview. Your SSI interview with Social Security counts.
• Little or no proof needed. Social Security sends DSHS your information.
• 36 months. New WASHCAP cases are approved for 36 months. When Social Security reviews your SSI, WASHCAP is extended automatically.
• Start date. Benefits start the first of the month after you apply and your SSI starts. There is no rush service, so if you need food right away, apply for regular Basic Food.

Reporting changes on WASHCAP

Report changes to Social Security, not DSHS, within 10 days after the month the change happens. Tell Social Security when you move or your rent changes. If you move and do not report new housing costs, your benefit can go down.

Staying on WASHCAP or switching

You can stay on WASHCAP even if regular Basic Food might pay a little more. You can switch only if you meet the rules and would get noticeably more on Basic Food. Regular Basic Food means a longer application, an interview, proof of income, and renewal about every 12 months.

Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program

• Who: People 60 and older, and Native Americans and Alaska Natives 55 and older, with income below 185% of the federal poverty level.
• What: A benefit card for locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey and herbs at authorized farmers markets and farm stores. Look for the "WIC and Senior Farmers Market Benefits" sign. The vendor scans your card and you enter your PIN.
• When: June 1 to October 31.
• How to apply: Through your local Area Agency on Aging or a contracted SFMNP provider. You must apply each market season. DSHS posts a local contact list on its SFMNP page, or call Community Living Connections at 1-855-567-0252.
• Amount: DSHS does not post the benefit amount. Ask your local agency.

How to apply for Basic Food

1. Apply online at washingtonconnection.org, by phone at 877-501-2233, in person at a DSHS Community Services Office (find one at dshs.wa.gov/office-locations), or by mail to DSHS Customer Service Center, P.O. Box 11699, Tacoma, WA 98411-6699.
2. Do the interview. You can do it by phone at 877-501-2233 or at your local Community Services Office.
3. Send proof of income, housing costs and medical costs.
4. Get your Washington Quest EBT card. It can be mailed to you or picked up at an office. Benefits are usually available the morning after approval, or the same day if you qualify for expedited service.
5. Name a helper if you need one. You can add an Alternate Card Holder who can buy groceries for you.

Work rules: DSHS says people 60 and older are exempt from work requirements, but people 60 to 64 without another exemption may still have participation requirements. Ask your worker if this applies to you.

If you are on SSI and live alone, ask whether WASHCAP is a better fit.

After you apply

• Renewals. Regular Basic Food usually renews every 12 months. WASHCAP renews every 36 months; you get a review letter about 45 days before it ends. If your case closes, return the form within 30 days to reopen it.
• Report changes. On regular Basic Food, report changes to DSHS. On WASHCAP, report to Social Security.
• If you disagree with a decision, your notice explains how to ask for a hearing. Ask quickly.

Things people miss

• No income limit for seniors. Many people 60 and older think they earn too much. Without the gross income test, they may still qualify.
• Medicare premiums count as medical costs if you pay them yourself. Report them.
• WASHCAP may already be open for you. If you get SSI and live alone, check your mail and your EBT card.
• Farmers market benefits must be renewed every year.

Free help

• DSHS Basic Food line: 877-501-2233.
• Community Living Connections (Area Agencies on Aging): 1-855-567-0252 or waclc.org. They can also tell you about senior meals and home-delivered meals.

See all benefits in Washington. If you get SSI, WASHCAP is built around it.

Phone numbers: Free help lines for Washington agencies

Check what you may qualify for