Washington financial assistance directory
Low-Income Help and Resources in Washington
Washington households may be able to get help with food, housing, utilities, healthcare, child care, cash assistance, employment, and other basic needs. Washington Connection is a common application route for several state programs, while housing, energy, aging, legal, workforce, and emergency services often use local or regional providers.
Money Fit serves Washington residents statewide. If debt or monthly payments are also part of the problem, call 800-432-0310 or start a confidential debt review.
Where to start
Washington uses Washington Connection for programs such as Basic Food, TANF, Housing and Essential Needs referrals, and Working Connections Child Care. Apple Health and Marketplace coverage generally use Washington Healthplanfinder, while other assistance is routed through local agencies and statewide service networks.
Apply for food, cash, child care, or HEN help
Washington Connection lets residents apply for and manage several public benefits. DSHS can also take applications and complete eligibility interviews by phone.
Find nearby help statewide
Washington 211 connects residents with local food, housing, utility, healthcare, transportation, child care, employment, disability, and other community resources.
Housing or utility help
LIHEAP, weatherization, HEN, rental assistance, homelessness services, and housing vouchers use local providers, housing authorities, or regional entry systems.
Local routing matters in Washington. Energy assistance, weatherization, homelessness services, public housing, aging programs, legal aid, and disaster help are commonly delivered through county, regional, Tribal, nonprofit, or local government partners. Waiting lists, intake hours, and available funding can differ by area.
Food assistance
For ongoing grocery help, start with Basic Food or WIC when the household may qualify. For food needed sooner, the Washington State Department of Agriculture and Washington 211 can help locate food banks, pantries, meal programs, and other local resources.
Washington Basic Food
Basic Food is Washington's SNAP program and provides monthly grocery benefits to eligible households. The state-funded Food Assistance Program can also serve certain lawfully admitted immigrants who meet Basic Food rules but are ineligible for federal SNAP solely because of immigration status.
DSHS: 877-501-2233
Washington WIC
WIC provides nutritious foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding and chestfeeding support, and referrals for eligible pregnant and postpartum participants, infants, and children under age five. Local WIC clinics handle enrollment.
WIC Cascades Support Line: 800-841-1410
Washington food banks, pantries, and meal programs
The Washington State Department of Agriculture supports a statewide network of hunger-relief organizations and Tribal partners. Its county search can connect households with local food banks, food pantries, meal programs, and programs such as TEFAP, EFAP, and senior food boxes where available.
Basic Food work rules changed statewide in 2026. As of February 1, 2026, Washington has no federally approved geographic waivers from the SNAP time limit for nonexempt able-bodied adults without dependents. Affected adults generally need at least 80 hours per month of qualifying work or approved activity to avoid the three-month time limit. Washington WIC income guidelines were also updated effective July 1, 2026.
Housing, rent, and utility help
Washington housing and utility assistance is divided among the Department of Commerce, DSHS, local community action agencies, public housing authorities, coordinated-entry systems, Washington 211, and civil legal-aid providers. Funding and waiting-list status can change by community.
Washington LIHEAP
LIHEAP can help qualifying households with home energy costs and may also support certain heating or cooling system repairs. Washington routes applications through local community agencies rather than through the Department of Commerce directly.
Program year: October 1 through September 30. Households generally may receive one LIHEAP grant per program year if eligible.
Housing and Essential Needs Referral
HEN can provide access to essential-needs items and potential rent or utility assistance for certain low-income adults who are unable to work for at least 90 days because of a physical or mental incapacity. DSHS determines referral eligibility, and local providers determine available HEN services.
Important: HEN services are subject to local funding availability and can be limited or discontinued.
Washington Weatherization Program
Weatherization provides qualifying homeowners and renters with energy-efficiency and health-and-safety improvements through local agencies. Eligibility may use federal poverty, state median income, or area median income standards depending on the funding source.
Local public housing authorities
Public housing and Housing Choice Voucher programs are administered by local public housing authorities. Each authority controls its own application process and waiting-list status, so households should contact the authority serving their area directly.
HUD public housing help: 800-955-2232
Washington 211 and local coordinated entry
Rent assistance, shelter, homelessness prevention, and coordinated-entry programs are locally administered. Washington 211 can help identify the intake route and providers serving a particular county or ZIP code.
Call: 211 or 877-211-9274
Northwest Justice Project and Washington Law Help
Northwest Justice Project provides civil legal assistance to eligible low-income Washington residents. Washington Law Help also provides statewide legal information and a county-based directory for housing, benefits, debt, family safety, employment, and other civil matters.
CLEAR outside King County: 888-201-1014. Low-income residents in King County can use 211 for legal-aid referrals.
Energy and housing funds are locally administered. Washington's LIHEAP program year runs October 1 through September 30, but appointment availability and remaining funds depend on the local provider. Housing voucher and rental-assistance waiting lists also open and close independently by local agency.
Healthcare coverage and clinics
Washington Apple Health provides Medicaid coverage for eligible residents, while Washington Healthplanfinder is the state's official Marketplace for qualified health and dental plans. Community health centers can provide local care regardless of insurance status.
Washington Apple Health
Apple Health is Washington's Medicaid program. Adults ages 19 through 64 and families applying for children generally apply or renew through Washington Healthplanfinder. Some Classic Medicaid programs use a different application route through DSHS.
Washington Healthplanfinder: 855-923-4633
Apple Health Expansion
Apple Health Expansion is a state-funded program for certain adults who do not qualify for other Apple Health programs because of immigration status. Enrollment is capped because of limited funding.
Current status: New enrollment is closed because the enrollment limit has been met. HCA says people may still complete an application to be considered if space opens.
Washington Healthplanfinder
Washington Healthplanfinder is the state's official health insurance Marketplace. Residents can compare qualified health and dental plans and may qualify for federal or state financial help depending on current rules.
2027 open enrollment: November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 31 for coverage that begins January 1.
Community health centers
Federally supported health centers provide primary care and may also offer dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, substance-use treatment, and other services. Health centers serve insured and uninsured patients and use sliding-fee programs based on income and family size.
Apple Health changes begin October 1, 2026 and January 1, 2027. Washington says eligibility changes for some refugee, asylee, and other noncitizen adults begin October 1, 2026. Beginning January 1, 2027, some Apple Health for Adults members will face an 80-hour monthly work, training, education, or community-engagement requirement unless exempt, and six-month renewals will replace annual renewals for that group.
Child care, family, and cash assistance
Working Connections Child Care is administered by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, while TANF and related cash programs are administered through DSHS. Washington Connection is a common application route for both.
Working Connections Child Care
Working Connections Child Care helps eligible families pay part of child care costs while a parent or caregiver participates in approved work or other qualifying activities. Families may apply before choosing a provider.
DCYF child care subsidy line: 844-626-8687
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
TANF provides temporary monthly cash assistance to eligible families that include a pregnant individual or minor child. Some adults are required to participate in WorkFirst employment, education, training, or barrier-removal activities.
DSHS: 877-501-2233
Diversion Cash Assistance
Families who meet TANF eligibility but do not need an ongoing monthly grant may qualify for Diversion Cash Assistance. DSHS says eligible families may receive up to $1,250 for a short-term need such as rent, utilities, clothing, or transportation, subject to program rules.
Head Start and Early Head Start
Head Start programs provide early learning, health, nutrition, and family support for eligible young children and families. Local programs handle applications, openings, and waiting lists.
Locator help: 866-763-6481
Working Connections Child Care changes October 1, 2026. Families applying or beginning a new eligibility period on or after October 1 will use updated State Median Income guidelines and new copayment groups. The planned expansion to 75 percent and 85 percent of State Median Income was canceled, so family eligibility remains capped at 60 percent of State Median Income under the 2026 legislation.
Work, legal help, and essential services
Job loss, a legal problem, or loss of affordable phone or internet service can quickly affect housing, healthcare, transportation, and the rest of the household budget.
Washington unemployment benefits
Eligible workers who lose work may qualify for temporary unemployment benefits through the Employment Security Department. Applicants can file online through eServices or by phone and must follow ongoing eligibility and job-search requirements.
Claims Center: 800-318-6022
WorkSource Washington
WorkSource connects job seekers with job listings, local offices, hiring events, workshops, training information, career tools, veterans services, and other employment support.
Washington Law Help
Washington Law Help is maintained by Northwest Justice Project and provides legal information, forms, and a directory of civil legal-aid providers. Topics include housing, debt, benefits, family law, safety, employment, and other civil matters.
Federal Lifeline benefit
Lifeline may reduce the monthly cost of qualifying phone or broadband service. Eligibility can be based on household income or participation in certain public benefit programs.
Lifeline Support Center: 800-234-9473
Older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers
Washington uses Community Living Connections, Area Agencies on Aging, Home and Community Services, and other DSHS programs to help older adults, adults with disabilities, caregivers, and families understand local long-term services and supports.
Community Living Connections
Community Living Connections helps Washington residents find public and private long-term services and supports, including home care, transportation, nutrition, caregiver support, benefits, and other local resources.
Community Living Connections: 855-567-0252
Area Agencies on Aging
Area Agencies on Aging serve every county in Washington and help older adults and families locate meals, transportation, in-home supports, benefits counseling, caregiver services, senior programs, and other community resources.
Family Caregiver Support Program
Unpaid family and friend caregivers can contact local Community Living Connections or an Area Agency on Aging for practical information, support groups, respite options, training, and referrals. Services may be free or low cost depending on the program.
Adult Protective Services
Washington Adult Protective Services investigates reports involving abuse, abandonment, neglect, exploitation, and self-neglect of vulnerable adults living in the community or certain care settings.
Report statewide: 877-734-6277
Crisis, safety, and disaster resources
If someone is in immediate danger, has a life-threatening medical emergency, or cannot stay safe, call 911.
Washington 988 Lifeline
Call or text 988 for free, confidential support involving suicidal thoughts, emotional distress, mental health concerns, or substance use. Washington's 988 contact hubs can connect people with regional crisis services when appropriate.
Call or text: 988
Washington survivor support
The Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault maintains a directory of local advocacy programs. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is also available around the clock for confidential support and safety planning.
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233
Washington 211
Washington 211 connects residents with local services for food, shelter, rent, utilities, healthcare, transportation, disability support, employment, and other community needs. The online resource directory can be searched at any time.
Call: 211 or 877-211-9274
Text: 211WAOD to 898211
Washington State Individual Assistance
Households whose primary residences were destroyed or severely damaged by qualifying wildfires on or after June 14, 2026 may be able to apply for state Individual Assistance for immediate needs such as temporary housing, food, and minor repairs.
Eligible areas currently include: Benton, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Grant, Kittitas, Okanogan, Spokane, Stevens, Whitman, and Yakima counties, plus the Yakama Nation, Colville Reservation, and Spokane Tribe of Indians. Federal FEMA Individual Assistance is not currently open for these wildfires.
Washington Emergency Management and FEMA
Washington Emergency Management coordinates statewide disaster response and recovery. Federal household assistance is available only when a federal declaration specifically includes Individual Assistance for the affected area and the application period is open.
Washington wildfire assistance is active as of September 17, 2026. The state has expanded Individual Assistance and Disaster Cash Assistance for wildfire survivors in designated counties and Tribal nations. Eligibility depends on the specific program and documented disaster impact, and the state says applying does not guarantee an award.
Review the household budget and unsecured debt together
Public assistance can help with basic expenses while unsecured debt continues affecting the household budget. Money Fit nonprofit credit counseling can help Washington residents review income, expenses, debts, and possible options.
A debt management plan may organize eligible unsecured debt into one monthly payment to Money Fit, which then sends payments to participating creditors. A DMP is not a new loan or debt settlement. Creditor participation, concessions, account treatment, fees, and payment changes can vary.
Money Fit does not provide cash assistance, food benefits, rent assistance, utility benefits, government benefits, or emergency grants. The counseling form below is for help reviewing debt and monthly payments.
Open the Money Fit debt review form
Share a few details so Money Fit can respond to your request. Your information stays with Money Fit and is not sent to a marketplace of lenders or debt companies.
Related Money Fit resources
These resources can help with debt, housing, financial education, and assistance in other states.
