Cash Assistance Programs in Washington

Cash Assistance programs in Washington state help families with their everyday needs, improving their finances, and reaching their goals.
If you are a family in need, a refugee, or an immigrant, it is important to know what cash assistance services are available in Washington state. Let’s consider each program and who qualifies for each program.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

TANF is a government program that provides financial and medical assistance to eligible low-income families with children. Therefore, you are not required to pay back once you qualify to receive this benefit. TANF enables families to achieve self-sufficiency by helping participants find employment with the WorkFirst Program.
TANF benefits differ according to family size and income, and the benefits change when a household member starts working.

Eligibility

Asylees, refugees, and immigrants may benefit from TANF if they meet specified criteria. You can also apply for TANF on behalf of children if you are a legal guardian, caring for a relative's child, or acting on behalf of a parent.
In addition, your family should not have resources worth more than $6,000. This means that your vehicle equity shouldn’t be worth over $10,000, and your stock, mutual funds, bonds, and checking and savings accounts all compounded should be less than $6,000.

How to Apply for TANF in Washington

You can apply:

• Online or
• In-person by visiting your local community services office
• By phone at 877-501-2233

The Washington Basic Food Program

The Washington Basic Food, known as SNAP in other states, is a government-funded program that helps people who cannot afford to buy nutritious food for their families.
The government provides monthly benefits to low-income eligible members and helps individuals qualify for free or reduced School Meals for their children.

Eligibility

Your family size, income, and citizenship status will determine your eligibility. To be eligible for the Washington Basic Food program, you should be:

• A resident of Washington state
• A U.S citizen or lawfully admitted resident with a 5-year residency requirement
• Non-citizens with U.S citizen children
• Applicable participants should also be willing to participate in work and training programs.

In addition to the above requirements, applicants' income and assets should be 200% of the federal poverty level. The amount you will receive will depend on the number of people in your household, your income, and your monthly living expenses (childcare, utilities, rent or mortgage, and child support).

How to Apply for Washington Basic Food Assistance

There are three ways to apply:

• Online
• By phone at 877-501-2233
• In-person by visiting your local community services office

Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA)

The Refugee Cash Assistance program is a financial support program aimed at helping refugees become self-sufficient. Refugees without minor children who have recently arrived in the U.S.A can receive cash assistance (RCA) for up to eight months after arrival.
This support is specifically for refugees who are not eligible for other forms of financial cash aid.

Eligibility

To be eligible:

• You should provide documents showing your immigration status, date of arrival, and eligibility. These documents are provided by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
• Provide the name of the agency that resettled you if you are a Special Immigrant Visa holder.
• You should meet all immigration status requirements
• Be willing to participate in work and training requirements.
• Applicants should also have resources of less than $6,000. If they have no income, a married couple of two who are qualified for RCA would receive $459. If one or both household members are employed, we deduct half of their income from their grant. The pair would stop receiving RCA if their monthly income exceeded $839.

Eligible immigration status includes:

• Refugees
• Asylum seekers
• Amerasians
• Cuban-Haitian entrants
• Victims of trafficking who are certified, and their eligible family members

How to Apply for Refugee Cash Assistance

• Apply online here.
• Apply at your local community services office.
• Apply over the phone by calling 877-501-2233.

Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA)

Refugee Medical Assistance provides temporary medical coverage to refugees who are ineligible for Medicaid. RMA also helps refugees receive medical screenings to protect public health when resettling refugees.
The goal is to protect the public health of resettling communities and to promote the self-sufficiency and successful resettlement of communities. Eligible applicants receive RMA for up to 12 months.

Eligibility

• Recipients already receiving RCA are automatically eligible for Refugee Medical Assistance.
• applicants' income and assets should be 200% of the federal poverty level
• Applicants should not be full-time students

How to Apply for Refugee Medical Assistance in Washington

To apply for RMA, you will need to contact your State Refugee Coordinator.

Diversion Cash Assistance (DCA)

Diversion Cash Assistance is a government program providing alternative assistance for families who need short-term assistance and do not wish to receive TANF assistance. The DCA program provides temporary relief to those experiencing financial crisis or hardship, such as a job loss, unexpected medical expense, or natural disaster.

Eligibility

To be eligible for DCA, you must show that you have the resources and income to meet your family's long-term needs. If you qualify for DCA, you should not need TANF assistance in the next 12 months, and your total income and resources should not exceed $6,000.
You should also remember that you are only eligible for one thirty-day period annually. A maximum of $1,250 can be granted. However, if you go on TANF before the year ends, you will have to repay a prorated portion of the grant.

How to Apply for DCA in Washington State

There are two ways to apply for Diversion Cash Assistance:

• Online
• At your local community services office

Apple Health

Apple Health is a Medicaid program by the Washington State Health Care Authority that provides low or no-cost medical coverage to eligible individuals and families such as children, pregnant women, parents or caretakers of children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities.

Apple Health Eligibility for Individual Adults

Adults qualify for Apple Health if they are in the age bracket of 19 through 64, have a household income below the Medicaid standard specified in the chart here, and are not entitled to Medicaid. You also need to be an American citizen or meet Medicaid immigration requirements.

Apple Health Eligibility for Parents and caretakers

If you are a parent or caretaker, you must meet specific criteria to qualify for Medicaid. This includes having dependent children under 18 living in your home, having an income lower than the Medicaid standard, being a U.S. citizen or meeting immigration requirements as specified in the chart, and being between 19 and 64 years old.

Apple Health Eligibility for Aged, Blind, and Disabled

You are eligible for Apple Health if you are 65 and older, blind, or have a disability. You should also meet the income and resource requirements specified in the chart here.

How to Apply for Apple Health

• Apply online
• Apply by phone at 1-844-791-2144

Pregnant Women Assistance (PWA)

Pregnant Women assistance is a government-funded program that provides cash assistance to low-income pregnant women who don’t qualify for TANF. Eligible applicants receive cash assistance for 24 consecutive months from the date they are determined to be eligible.

Eligibility

To be eligible, you should:

• Be a resident of Washington state
• Be pregnant
• Be an American citizen or meet citizenship requirements
• Not qualify for TANF or SFA or Supplemental Security Income
• You should not abuse drugs

Once you qualify for Pregnant Women Cash assistance you can expect a maximum cash grant of not more than $363.

How to Apply for Pregnant Women Cash Assistance

• Apply online
• Apply by phone at 877-501-2233
• Apply in person at your local community services office

Alien Emergency Medical Programs

Alien Emergency Medical programs assist individuals who don’t meet citizenship or immigration status to qualify for other Apple health programs.

Eligibility

To qualify for Emergency Medical Programs:

• Be aged 19 to 64 years old
• You should not be receiving Medicare
• You should not be seeking long-term care services

To qualify for the Emergency Medical Programs, you should have experienced outpatient surgery, emergency room care, or inpatient admission. You should also be on a cancer treatment plan, dialysis treatment, or anti-rejection medication for an organ transplant.

How to Apply for Emergency Medical Programs in Washington

Apply by downloading and filling out the Application for Health Care Coverage (HCA 18-001) form found on the Health Care Authority Website. You should write "AEM" on the top of the application and Fax the completed application to 1-866-841-2267.

Childcare Subsidy Programs

Childcare subsidy programs cover childcare costs to allow low-income families to work or participate in a WorkFirst or BFET plan. This program allows parents to focus on their high school, equivalency, or technical programs without worrying about the cost of childcare.

Eligibility

• Must live in Washington state
• The child must be a U.S. citizen, legal resident, or be eligible for federal benefits
• The family’s income should be below 60% of the State Median Income. SMI).

How to Apply for Childcare Subsidy programs in Washington

• Apply online
• Apply by phone at 1-844-626-8687

A copayment calculation table can be found on this site.

Cash Assistance Programs Near You

The Washington State government provides different programs to help you choose the right one according to your situation. Make sure to check the official site for more details.