Washington Resources
Finding & Accessing Resources
Washington Connection is an online screening and application portal for state benefits. It offers a fast and easy way for families and individuals to start an application online for a variety of services such as Food, Cash, Child Care, Long-Term Care, and Medicare Savings Program. You can start your application for the programs through the online portal.
211 is a free confidential community service and your one-stop connection to the local services you need, from utility assistance, food, housing, health, childcare, after school programs, elder care, crisis intervention, and much more. Dial 211 from anywhere in WA state and you will reach an information and referral specialist who will assess your needs and provide a list of referrals to available resources in your community.
Healthcare & Medication
Apple Health (Medicaid) provides free or low-cost health care coverage for individuals who meet the eligibility requirements. Apple Health covers physical and behavioral health services, including mental health and substance use disorder treatment services.
Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) offers free, unbiased, and confidential counseling to help people understand their Medicare coverage and options, including Medicare Savings Programs.
EyeCare America provides eye care through volunteer ophthalmologists. Elderly patients and those at increased risk for glaucoma may be eligible for free eye care exams.
Charity Care provides financial assistance for hospital services. If you cannot afford to pay your hospital bill, you may be eligible to have part or all of the bills forgiven through Charity Care. Contact the billing department of your hospital and ask to apply for financial assistance.
Food & Nutrition
SNAP, or Basic Food, provides monthly benefits to buy food. Your Basic Food benefits are based on your family size, allowable deductions, and income.
WIC is a nutrition program for pregnant women, new and breastfeeding moms, and children under five. Parents, grandparents and other caregivers of children under the age of five may also sign kids up for WIC. Eligibility depends on household size and income. Call the Help Me Grow WA Hotline at 1-800-322-2588 to find a WIC clinic near you.
Housing & Utilities
LIHEAP provides energy assistance to households in Washington through a network of community action agencies and local partners. If you qualify, your local LIHEAP agency will send a payment directly to your energy utility on behalf of your household. LIHEAP may also help repair or replace heating or cooling systems that are unsafe or don’t work. Households eligible for LIHEAP may also qualify to have their homes made more energy efficient through the Weatherization program.
Washington Homeownership Resource Center (WHRC) provides information and resources for homeowners. At WHRC you can connect with a housing counselor to discuss concerns or options for your mortgage and get information about other resources based on your needs. Reach the WA Homeownership hotline at 1-877-894-4663.
Washington Department of Financial Institutions provides mortgage assistance and foreclosure prevention information for homeowners.
WA Section 8 Housing Program or Housing Choice Voucher program is a federal program that helps low-income families and individuals afford safe and decent housing. In Washington, Housing Choice Vouchers are administered by local housing authorities, which provide eligible participants with help to cover part of their monthly rent payments.
Lifeline can help you get monthly discounts on your phone and internet services. The discounts can include a lower bill or free wireless minutes. You may get help from Lifeline if you have limited income or are currently enrolled in certain public benefits programs.
Transportation
WA Healthcare Authority covers nonemergency transportation for eligible clients to and from medical appointments through transportation providers. Eligible clients are those in Apple Health and other state funded medical assistance programs that include a travel benefit.
Public transportation and paratransit services can help you get around. Many public transit agencies offer free or reduced fare programs for people with disabilities and people with low incomes. Youth can ride most public transit for free in Washington.
Income
Unemployment Benefits provide you with temporary income when you lose your job through no fault of your own. The money partly replaces your lost earnings and helps you pay expenses while looking for new work. Unemployment Benefits are not based on financial need. You can apply online or by phone.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) provides temporary, monthly cash to eligible families. Families who receive TANF must include a pregnant individual or minor child. A grandparent or relative of a child may be eligible in certain circumstances. Some families are required to participate in the Workfirst program, which helps participants find and keep jobs.
Disability Services
The Social Security Administration has two cash benefits programs for people with disabilities: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). You can check your eligibility for benefits online or over the phone at 1-800-772-1213.
The Developmental Disabilities Administration provides in-home, residential, and community supports to adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Supports can include personal care, help with daily living activities, employment support, nursing services, and more.
Aged, Blind, or Disabled Cash Program (ABD) provides cash assistance and a referral to the housing and essential needs program. The ABD program also includes assistance applying for federal SSI and SSDI benefits, as well as case management and support.
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) provides individuals with disabilities the tools, services, and supports required to achieve successful employment. Services include vocational rehabilitation counseling, employment services and supports, and provide technical assistance and training to businesses regarding the recruiting and hiring of people with disabilities.
Disability Rights Washington is an organization that protects the rights of people with disabilities statewide. They provide technical assistance and general information about legal rights and offer community education and training, as well as information sheets on a wide range of subjects to empower individuals with disabilities to advocate for themselves.
Veteran's Programs
WA State Department of Veterans Affairs helps connect veterans and their family members to the benefits and services they earned through their military service.
Crisis Assistance
Crisis Connections offers support services for individuals facing a crisis. The 24-hour Crisis Line is 866-427-4747.
The WA Recovery Help Line is an anonymous and confidential help line that provides crisis intervention and referral services. The WA Recovery Help Line is 866-789-1511.
The WA Warm Line is a peer support help line for people living with emotional and mental health challenges. The WA Warm Line is 877-500-9276.
988 is a national suicide and crisis lifeline. Dial or text 988 for help in any type of behavioral health crisis.
Legal Assistance
Northwest Justice Project provides free legal assistance to address fundamental human needs such as housing, family safety, income security, health care, education, and more. Low-income residents can call the CLEAR Line Legal Help at 1-888- 201-1014 for free legal help and assistance. Seniors can call the CLEAR Senior Legal Help at 1-888-387-7111 for free legal help and assistance.
Washington State Bar Association is an online resource for people who are in search of a lawyer. They also have a reduced-fee referral program that connects moderate income clients who may not qualify for free legal help but cannot afford to pay full price for legal services.
Tax Assistance
The IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals from trained volunteers.