DSHS 22-297(X) (Rev. 4/20)
HOW TO APPLY
FOR AND USE
BASIC
FOOD
BENEFITS
INTRODUCTION ..................................1
Applying for Basic Food
Can I get Basic Food? .......................2
How do I apply for Basic Food? ........2
What happens after I turn
in my application? ............................3
What should I bring
to the interview? ..............................4
What happens if something
changes in my household
circumstances? .................................5
If I am eligible, when will
I receive my food benefits? ...............6
How long will I receive
Basic Food? ...................................... 7
Does the Department have a
Non-Discrimination Policy? ...............8
Using Basic Food Benefits
What is the Washington
EBT QUEST card? .............................8
What is an EBT PIN? .........................9
What is an alternative
card holder? .....................................9
When should I call EBT
customer service? ........................... 10
What can and can’t I do
with my EBT card and benefits? ...... 11
FREQUENTLY ASKED EBT
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ............. 13
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
1
Basic Food (federally known as the
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program or SNAP) helps people buy
groceries.
The amount of Basic Food you can
receive is based on your family size,
countable income and monthly
expenses such as housing, utilities,
child support and medical costs.
For an estimate of the monthly Basic
Food amount you could receive, call
1-877-501-2233.
When you get Basic
Food you may qualify for
other programs, too:
• Free or reduced school meal
program
• Special nutrition program for
Women, Infants and Children
(WIC)
If you would like more
information or have specific
questions about your
situation, call 1-877-501-2233
or visit our website at
www.washingtonconnection.
org/home/
Can I get Basic Food?
You may, if you:
• Live in Washington state
• Have income below 200% of the Federal
Poverty Level
• Meet citizenship or alien status requirements
Who can’t get Basic Food?
• A fugitive felon
• An undocumented alien
There may be other requirements based on your
family’s situation.
How do I apply for Basic Food?
There are four ways to apply for Basic Food:
• Online at www.washingtonconnection.org
• By phone, without submitting an application, by
calling 1-877-501-2233
• In person at the local DSHS Community Service
Office. Find a CSO nearest you at www.dshs.
wa.gov/office-locations
• By mail:
DSHS Customer Service Center
PO Box 11699
Tacoma, WA 98411-6699
You can request a paper application by calling
1-877-501-2233.
Complete and turn in your application as soon as
you can. If you qualify, your benefits start from
the date you turn in your application. We will
process your request within 30 days.
2
What happens after I turn
in my application?
Once we receive your
application, you will have
an interview to ensure
we understand the
information on the
application. Interviews
take place over the
phone or at your local
DSHS Community
Services Office.
During the interview,
we will:
• Explain program rules.
• Ask you questions about the
information on your application.
• Ask you for proof of certain
information.
• Give you a copy of your rights and
responsibilities.
• Explain the purpose, appropriate use, and
penalties of misuse of the Basic Food program.
• Explain anything you don’t understand.
If you need help with the interview process,
someone who knows your circumstances can
apply and be interviewed on your behalf. This
person is called an authorized representative.
3
4
What should I bring to the
interview?
You must provide proof of:
• Your identity.
• Family income.
• Immigration status of any non-citizen
household members, including sponsor’s
income and resource information if
applicable.
We may also ask you to provide proof
of any unclear information.
After the interview, we will give you a letter
listing any proof we still need. We will help
you get proof of the things we need during
your interview. You will have at least 10
days to provide the proof.
5
What happens if something
changes in my household
circumstances?
If your household only receives Basic Food, you
need to tell us if your total gross household
income goes above 130% of the federal poverty
guidelines. You can tell us of the change in
writing, by telephone, in person or online at
www.washingtonconnection.org.
For writing, the address:
DSHS-CSD Customer Service Center
PO Box 11699
Tacoma WA 98411-6699
By telephone: 1-877-501-2233
You must report the change by the 10th of
the month following the month your income
increased. For example, if you have a change
that occurred today, you must report by the
10th of next month.
1 $1,354
2 $1,832
3 $2,311
4 $2,790
5 $3,269
People in Household Report if Income is Over
If your household receives other benefits
in addition to Basic Food, you must report
according to Washington Administrative Code
388-418-0005.
You will be told in writing how the change
affects your food benefits. If you don’t
agree, you may talk to an eligibility worker, a
supervisor, or the community services office
administrator. If you still don’t agree, you may
ask for an administrative hearing.
If I am eligible, when will I receive
my food benefits?
When you first apply, your benefits are issued
after we receive all the information we need to
decide you are eligible.
• On average, we approve applications for
eligible households in about 10 days.
• Nearly half of all applications are approved in
less than six days.
After your initial Basic Food amount is issued
to you, the day of the month you receive your
Basic Food won’t change. The specific day your
food benefits are available is printed on your
approval notice.
Your benefits are available on weekends and
holidays, and any benefits you have
not spent by the end of the
month are carried over
to the next month.
6
How long will I receive Basic
Food?
When you are eligible for the Basic Food
Program you will receive a letter from us
that tells you:
• If you are eligible.
• How many months in your certification
period.
• The amount of food benefits you will receive.
Half way through your certification period (six
months for most households) you will receive a
Mid-Certification Review to complete. We use
the report to update information about you, the
people in your home, your household income,
and certain expenses. This is to make sure you
are receiving the correct benefit amount. You
can also complete the review over the phone.
About 45 days before your Basic Food is set to
expire you will receive a notice with an Eligibility
Review form to fill out if you still want food
benefits.
Complete and return the
Eligibility Review form to:
DSHS Customer Service
Center
PO Box 11699
Tacoma, WA 98411-6699
We will send you a letter to
have an interview over
the phone or in your
local DSHS Community
Services Office. You
must complete
this interview to
find out if you are
eligible to receive
more food benefits.
7
Does the Department have a Non-
Discrimination Policy?
In accordance with federal law and U.S.
Department of Agriculture policy, this institution
is prohibited from discriminating on the basis
of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion,
political beliefs or disability.
To file a complaint of discrimination, write:
USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights
1400 Independence Ave. SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410
or call 1-800-795-3272 (voice) or 1-202-720-
6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity
provider and employer.
What is the Washington EBT
QUEST card?
The Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) system is
a safe, convenient and easy way for you to get
your food benefits each month.
• You must use the card to get your benefits.
• The card works similar to an ATM card but the
food benefits on it can only be used to buy
food.
• Your benefits will be put in an account set up
for you.
• Your benefits can only be used with your
secret personal identification number (PIN)
8
9
What is an EBT PIN?
Every time you use your card, you must enter
four secret numbers. These numbers are called
a PIN (Personal Identification Number)
**** = PIN (4 secret numbers)
These are the ways to get a PIN:
• If you get your card at your local DSHS office
you will choose your PIN at that time.
• If the card is sent to you through the mail
– you must call Customer Service to choose
your new or replacement PIN.
Don’t throw it away! You need these four
numbers and your card to get your benefits.
Don’t write your PIN on your card and don’t
share your PIN with anyone not in your
household! Keep your PIN in a safe place and
not in the same purse or wallet as your card.
If you lose your card or it is damaged, the PIN
is still good. A replacement card will have the
same PIN. The PIN won’t change unless you ask
that it be changed.
What is an alternative card
holder?
You may choose someone else to help you use
your benefits. This person is called an alternate
card holder.
The Alternate Card Holder
• Is chosen by you.
• Will receive their own Washington QUEST
card and PIN at a local DSHS office.
• Will be able to spend your benefits.
If you choose someone to be your alternate
card holder, choose a person you trust.
Remember, lost or stolen benefits won’t be
replaced. For more information or to get an
authorization form, call 1-877-501-2233.
10
When should I call EBT customer
service?
EBT Customer Service
1-888-328-9271
TTY State Relay Number
1-800-833-8388
Braille TTY State Relay Number
1-800-833-6385
Call 24 hours a day, seven days a week toll
free when:
• You need to know the balance in your food or
cash account.
• Your card is lost, stolen or damaged.
• You want to hear your last 10 transactions for
your cash or food benefit account.
• You want a replacement card or PIN by mail.
Customer Service Representatives can also
help you:
• Find a place nearby where you can use your
card.
• Get a two-month history of your transactions.
• Report problems with ATMs.
• If you speak a language other than English.
11
What can and can’t I do with my
EBT card and benefits?
Misuse of your Washington QUEST card is a
state and federal crime!
Appropriate Use
You or a member of your household may use
your Basic Food benefits to buy food items
such as:
• Breads and cereals.
• Fruits and vegetables.
• Cheese, milk and other dairy products.
• Meats, fish, poultry and eggs.
• Most other food Items that are not sold as
prepared hot foods.
• Seeds and plants that produce food.
Illegal Use
It is not legal to:
• Use food benefits on your EBT card for any
purpose other than to buy food for eligible
household members.
• Exchange your food benefits for anything
of value (trafficking). Examples of illegal
trafficking include exchanging food benefits
for cash, anything other than buying food
from an authorized retailer.
• Give your benefits to anyone who is not in
your Basic Food household.
• Use Basic Food benefits to buy non-
food items such as household
supplies, vitamins, medicine,
pet food, tobacco or
alcohol.
12
Penalty for Illegal Use. You may be:
• Disqualified and lose your benefits for at
least one year and up to a lifetime. The
disqualification continues even if you
move to another state.
• Subject to fines.
• Subject to legal action, including
criminal prosecution. DSHS will
cooperate with state, local and federal
prosecuting authorities to prosecute
trafficking Basic Food or SNAP benefits.
Use your benefits on time
Your food assistance benefits are intended
to meet the current needs of your
household.
We may cancel the Basic Food in your
account if you don’t use any within 365
days.
13
FREQUENTLY ASKED EBT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q: Can you use your EBT card out of state?
A: The Washington QUEST card is
accepted nationwide at retailers
participating in the EBT program. Look
for the QUEST sign or check with the
store before trying to use your QUEST
card. Stores that sell food may or may
not participate as providers of cash
benefits.
Q: Can you return a purchase made with
your card?
A: Yes! For example, if milk you just
bought is spoiled, you can bring the
spoiled milk and the receipt back to the
store. Your food account is credited for
the return. You will not receive cash for
the return if the item was purchased
using your food benefits.
Q: Can I get cash back from the food
benefits on my EBT card?
A: No. Any food benefits you haven’t used
at the end of the month are available in
the next month.
Q: If I move out of state, can I keep
receiving Basic Food?
A: Basic Food is for Washington residents
only. You will need to call the customer
service center at 1-877-501-2233 to
close your case so you can apply for
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program (SNAP) benefits in the state
where you now live. You can still use
the benefits that were issued on your
EBT card while you lived in Washington.
DSHS 22-297(X) (Rev. 4/20)
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
