Governmental Programs

Last Updated: July 15, 2022. Report error / Make suggestion

Note that for some programs, if you receive one you are not eligible for others. In addition, your immigration status may impact your eligibility for certain benefits. You also may not receive these benefits if you have violated your probation or parole. You can find more detailed information about your benefit eligibility by calling 211 or visiting Washington Connection’s website.

Statewide Government Assistance Services

Social Security and Supplemental Security Income Benefits

710 East College Way, Mount Vernon WA 98273
866-931-7108

An individual released from incarceration may be eligible for Social Security retirement, survivors, or disability benefits if they have worked or paid into Social Security enough years. An individual released from incarceration may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income benefits if they are 65 or older, are blind, or have a disability and have little or no income and resources.

“What Prisoners need to know”

“Entering the Community After Incarceration – How We Can Help”

DSHS Community Service Office

900 E. College Way, Mount Vernon WA 98273
877-501-2233

Offers cash assistance (in addition to other general services).

Paper Application: Before 3pm, complete your interview for cash or food (application/eligibility review/mid-certification review). You may complete an online application or apply by contacting the Customer Service Contact Center at 877-501-2233.

To mail in your application, send to:

DSHS – CSD Customer Service Center
PO Box 11699
Tacoma, WA 98411-6699.

TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)

Apply online
Apply in-person at your local Community Service Office

Provides temporary cash for families in need for up to 60 months. Some families participate in the WorkFirst Program. The WorkFirst Program helps participants find and keep jobs. To apply in-person, go to your local Community Service Office listed above. To apply online, please go to

Eligibility: Washington state resident responsible for care of a child or are pregnant, plus income/resources requirements, citizenship, and immigration status requirements. If you are ineligible for TANP, you may still be eligible to receive aid from Washington State’s Family Assistance (SFA) Program.

Basic Food/SNAP

Apply online

Helps low-income people make ends meet by providing monthly food benefits

Review SNAP Eligibility

ABD (Aged Blind Disabled)

Apply online
Apply in-person at your local Community Service Office

A state funded program that provides cash assistance and a referral to the Housing and Essential Needs (HEN) program to eligible low-income individuals who are age 65 or older, blind, or determined likely to meet Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability criteria based on an impairment(s) expected to last at least 12 consecutive months. Provides maximum monthly cash grant of $197 for a single individual or $248 for a married couple.

Diversion Cash Assistance

Apply online
Apply in-person at your local Community Service Office

Provides alternative assistance for families who have a short term need and do not wish to receive Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) assistance.

Additional info:

• You are eligible for only one thirty-day period per year.
• The maximum benefit is $1,250.
• You must repay a prorated portion of the grant if you go on TANF before one year
• You will not use any of your sixty-month lifetime limit for TANF benefits

CEAP (Consolidated Emergency Assistance Program)

Apply online

A cash program available to families or pregnant women who face an emergency and do not have the money to meet their basic needs for up to 30 consecutive days, once a year. This includes families whose Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash assistance has been terminated for Non-Compliance Sanction (NCS) and those who have already received 60 months of TANF and do not qualify for a Time Limit Extension.

Unemployment Insurance

Apply online
Apply via phone: call 800-318-6022

Unemployment benefits are cash benefits you can receive while you are looking for a job. They are made available through taxes paid by your former employer while you were working. You cannot apply for unemployment benefits in Washington if you did not work in this state in the past 18 months. Benefits are not based on financial need.

More Government Assistance & Financial Support Guides