Government Assistance

Washington State Programs

Washington Connection [1]

• Washington Connection offers a fast and easy way for families and individuals to apply for a variety of services such as Food, Cash, Child Care, Long-Term Care, and Medicare Savings Programs. Individuals that are age 65 or older, blind or disabled may also apply for medical assistance.
• This is a statewide portal individuals can use after release. To print the page press ctrl+p.

Also on Health page.

Application for Cash or Food Assistance (DSHS)

• Department of Social and Health Services DSHS application for cash or food assistance. Fill out the application and mail or take the application to a DSHS Office.
• Basic Food Brochures [2] Available in Cambodian, Korean, Laotian, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Chinese.
• Application [3]

Source Page

The Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program [4]

• WIC is a nutrition program for pregnant women, new and breastfeeding moms, and children under five. Dad, grandparents, and other caregivers of children under the age of five may also sign kids up for WIC. Foster children under age five and foster teens who are pregnant are eligible for WIC. If you or your family member are on Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or Basic Food you may be eligible for WIC too.
• Eligibility [5]

Also on Family Resources page.

DSHS Washington Reduced Cost Services Guide [6]

• The Reduced Cost Services Guide highlights a variety of products and services available in or near Washington state that are offered at reduced cost for people meeting certain income levels. Includes information about reduced cost Internet, Telephone, Utilities, Transportation, Retail and Farmers Markets, Museums, Children’s Museums, Parks, Zoos,Gyms, and Miscellaneous.

Source Page

Federal Programs

Social Security Benefits [7]

• If you receive Social Security, your benefits will be suspended if you’re convicted of a criminal offense and sent to jail or prison for more than 30 continuous days. Your benefits can be reinstated starting with the month following the month of your release. Although you can’t receive monthly Social Security benefits while you’re incarcerated, benefits to your spouse or children will continue as long as they remain eligible. If you’re receiving SSI, your payments are suspended while you’re in prison. Your payments can be reinstated in the month you’re released. However, if your confinement lasts for 12 consecutive months or longer, your eligibility for SSI benefits will terminate and you must file a new application for benefits.
• What Prisoners Need to Know [8]
• Entering the Community After Incarceration — How We Can Help [9]

Access Wireless

• Access Wireless serves the community by providing mobile phone service to income-eligible residents as part of the government-funded Lifeline Assistance program. Lifeline is intended to help individuals experiencing financial hardship stay connected to family members, schools and child care providers, as well as be reachable to potential employers and have a means of communicating in case of an emergency. Access Wireless provides qualifying customers with a free monthly allotment of minutes, text messages and data.
• Lifeline & Enroll [10] PRINTING NOTE: To print information that is useful to users, enter a zipcode, print page AND click the button that says ENROLL and print that page too
• First Application USAC National Verifier [11]
• Second Application Access Wireless (to be filled out after receiving USAC Application ID) [12]

LastAuditDate 2022-10-19