Listing of self-help materials and informational publications.
There are 17 resources
General information
Washington Basic Food Program Information
(Separate Website)
Basic Food, the state's food stamp program, helps people in Washington make ends meet by providing monthly benefits to buy food. You can apply online at this web site.
By: DSHS
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ParentHelp123.org Benefit Finder
(Separate Website)
Using the Benefit Finder, families can learn if they may be eligible for free and low-cost health insurance and food assistance, and then complete their program applications on-line!
By: WithinReach
Do You Need Emergency Food Assistance?
Information about qualifying and applying for emergency food stamps and what to do if you are denied.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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Applying for Public Assistance
Information about the application process to receive public assistance.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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What Are My Rights? Dealing with DSHS
This publication lists services available by DSHS and your rights when dealing with this state agency.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT): How to Use Your Card
(Separate Website)
The Quest card looks like a debit or credit card. It replaces paper food stamps and welfare checks. Food stamps and state cash benefits are now deposited into an account that you spend by using your Quest card. Stores and bank machines (often called Automated Teller Machines or ATMs) that take Quest will display a sign with the Quest logo.
By: Department of Social and Health Services
DSHS Help for People with Disabilities: Necessary Supplemental Accomodations
If you get DSHS benefits, such as TANF, SFA, Disability Lifeline, Medicaid, or food assistance, DSHS must accommodate your disabilities. This means that DSHS must try to make their services and benefits available to you to the same extent that they are available to people without a disability.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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How DSHS Treats Lump Sum Payments
Information you should know if you receive a lump sum payment from DSHS.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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How to Fight a Denial of DSHS Public Assistance
This publication explains your rights if you apply for cash, food stamps, medical, or child care assistance from the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and their office denies you benefits.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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How To Fight a Termination or Reduction of DSHS Public Assistance
7102EN - This publication explains your rights if the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) tells you that it will stop or cut back the cash, food stamps, medical, or child care assistance they have been giving you. The most important thing to know is that you must ask for a fair hearing soon, usually within 10 days of being mailed written notice, to keep getting your benefits while you appeal.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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How To Fight an Overpayment of Cash Assistance, Medical Assistance or Food Stamps
An overpayment occurs when you receive benefits you are not eligible for according to DSHS rules. DSHS gets the benefits back by charging you with an overpayment. This publication provides info on the types of overpayments and what you can do if you disagree.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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Representing Yourself at a Fair Hearing
If you don't agree with any decision, either verbal or written, made by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), you have the right to appeal that decision by asking for a fair hearing.
This publication tells you about 1) the deadline to request a fair hearing, 2) how to make the re-quest, 3) how to prepare for your hearing, and 4) what to expect at your hearing and afterward.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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How to Present an Equitable Estoppel Defense at a DSHS Hearing
If you receive an overpayment notice from DSHS telling you that you owe them money or food stamps because they gave you benefits they should not have given you, and the overpayment was through no fault of yours, you should ask for a fair hearing because there is a legal defense against the overpayment. You must ask for the fair hearing within 90 days of the date of the overpayment notice. The notice will say the overpayment was unintentionally caused and will say you are required to repay it, but will not tell you that there is a legal defense against it. Read this publication to find out about an Equitable Estoppel defense.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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How to Petition for Superior Court Review
If you disagree with the final fair hearing decision, you may appeal your case to a state Superior Court. The appeal is called a "Petition for Judicial Review of an Administrative Decision." Your appeal can be filed in either the Superior Court of the county where you live or in Thurston County Superior Court in Olympia.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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What Do I Do If DSHS Stops My Benefits Because I Am a
If you are a fleeing felon, you are not eligible for many federal and state public benefits. This publication defines "feeling felon" and discusses the benefits that are affected.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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Disaster Food Stamps in Grays Harbor & Lewis Counties Latest information about obtaining food stamps for victims of recent storm in Grays Harbor and Lewis counties.
By: Northwest Justice Project
The Self-Sufficiency Calculator for Washington State
(Separate Website)
The Calculator can help you: plan and develop career goals so you can work towards a better paying job; decide if a job you are considering will pay enough to meet your family's needs; determine if you might be eligible for public benefits that can help with expenses like health care or child care; test and compare different work or living options and see how they affect your bottom line.
By: Workforce Development Councils of Washington State
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Washington LawHelp is provided as a public service by the Northwest Justice Project in collaboration with other legal aid providers in the Alliance for Equal Justice and Washington courts.
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