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Chapter 388-412 WAC

Last Update: 6/28/24

BENEFIT ISSUANCES

WAC Sections

HTMLPDF388-412-0005General information about your cash benefits.
HTMLPDF388-412-0010Endorsing the warrant.
HTMLPDF388-412-0015General information about your food assistance allotments.
HTMLPDF388-412-0020When do I get my benefits?
HTMLPDF388-412-0025How do I receive my benefits?
HTMLPDF388-412-0030Returning a warrant.
HTMLPDF388-412-0035Loss, theft, destruction or nonreceipt of a warrant issued to clients and vendors.
HTMLPDF388-412-0040Can I get my benefits replaced?
HTMLPDF388-412-0046What is the purpose of DSHS cash and food assistance benefits and how can I use my benefits?
DISPOSITION OF SECTIONS FORMERLY CODIFIED IN THIS TITLE
388-412-0045General information about cash and food assistance issued by electronic benefits transfer. [Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and S. 825, Public Law 104-193, Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. WSR 99-02-039, § 388-412-0045, filed 12/31/98, effective 1/31/99.] Repealed by WSR 01-18-054, filed 8/30/01, effective 9/30/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.510 and 74.08.090.

PDF388-412-0005

General information about your cash benefits.

(1) Each separate cash assistance unit (AU) gets a separate benefit amount. If several AUs live in the same house, each AU gets a separate benefit amount.
(2) You cannot receive the same type of benefits in:
(a) Two states in the same month; or
(b) Two AUs in the same month; unless
(c) You left the AU to live in a shelter for battered women and children. See WAC 388-408-0045.
(3) If you are married and both you and your spouse get aged, blind, or disabled (ABD) assistance, you and your spouse are one AU.
(4) Your grant is rounded down to the next whole dollar amount unless:
(a) You get a clothing and personal incidental (CPI) allowance; or
(b) Your benefits are reduced to pay an overpayment.
(5) We do not issue any cash benefits if you are eligible for less than ten dollars unless:
(a) You get a CPI allowance;
(b) Your benefits are reduced to pay an overpayment; or
(c) You get supplemental social security (SSI) interim assistance payments.
(6) You may use your cash benefits to pay for basic living expenses as detailed under WAC 388-412-0046 (1)(c).
(7) You may not use your electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards or cash obtained with EBT cards for any of the activities specified under WAC 388-412-0046 (1)(d).
(8) If you choose to withdraw your cash benefits using an automated teller machine (ATM), our EBT vendor may charge a fee for the transaction in addition to any charges by the bank or ATM owner.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.005, 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.08A.100, 74.04.770, 74.04.0052, 74.04.655, 74.08.043, 74.08.335 and 2011 1st sp.s. c 36. WSR 12-06-070, § 388-412-0005, filed 3/6/12, effective 4/6/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.04.510, 74.04.770, 74.12.260, 74.08.580, 9.91.142, 7 C.F.R. 273.16, the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 as amended and 42 U.S.C. 601a; and 2011 c 42. WSR 11-19-047, § 388-412-0005, filed 9/13/11, effective 10/14/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090. WSR 05-02-015, § 388-412-0005, filed 12/27/04, effective 1/27/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.510 and 74.08.090. WSR 01-18-054, § 388-412-0005, filed 8/30/01, effective 9/30/01; WSR 99-16-024, § 388-412-0005, filed 7/26/99, effective 9/1/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and S. 825, Public Law 104-193, Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. WSR 99-02-039, § 388-412-0005, filed 12/31/98, effective 1/31/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. WSR 98-16-044, § 388-412-0005, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98.]


PDF388-412-0010

Endorsing the warrant.

(1) Clients must endorse their warrants unless they have executed a power of attorney. If a client has given someone else a power of attorney, the client must give the department a copy.
(2) If a client is unable to sign the warrant, it must be endorsed by the client's mark or thumb print witnessed by two people. The witnesses must give their names and addresses to the person that cashes the warrant.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. WSR 98-16-044, § 388-412-0010, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98.]


PDF388-412-0015

General information about your food assistance allotments.

(1) Your monthly allotment under the Washington basic food program, food assistance program for legal immigrants (FAP), Washington combined application project (WASHCAP), or the transitional food assistance (TFA) program is the total dollar value of benefits your assistance unit (AU) receives for a calendar month.
(2) How we determine monthly allotments:
(a) We calculate your monthly allotment for federally funded basic food as described under WAC 388-450-0162.
(b) We calculate your monthly allotment for state-funded food assistance as described under WAC 388-400-0050.
(3) Maximum allotment:
(a) The maximum allotment for the number of people in your AU eligible for federally funded basic food benefits is described under WAC 388-478-0060.
(b) The maximum allotment for the number of people in your AU eligible for state-funded FAP benefits is set by the legislature in the biennial operating budget as described in WAC 388-400-0050.
(4) Prorated benefits in the first month. If we determine you are eligible for food assistance, your first month's benefits are calculated from the date you applied through the end of the month of your application. This is called proration and is based on a 30-day month:
(a) If your prorated benefits for the first month are under 10 dollars, you will not receive an allotment for the first month.
(b) If there was a delay in processing your application, we determine when your benefits start under WAC 388-406-0055.
(5) Combined allotment for first and second month's benefits. If you apply for benefits on or after the 16th of the month and we determine you are eligible for food assistance for both the first and second month, we will issue both months' benefits in one allotment.
(6) Minimum allotment. Unless it is the first month of your certification period and your benefits are prorated as described in subsection (4) of this section, your monthly allotment will be at least:
(a) $23 if your AU has one or two members and at least one person is eligible for federally funded basic food; or
(b) $23 dollars if your AU has one or two members and all members of your AU are eligible for state-funded FAP.
(7) Use of food assistance benefits. Your food assistance benefits may only be used to buy eligible food items as described under WAC 388-412-0046. If you use your benefits in any other way, it is an intentional program violation under WAC 388-446-0015 and could result in fines, imprisonment, disqualification from receiving food assistance benefits, or any combination of these penalties.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.005, 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.500, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.08A.010, 74.08A.120, and 74.08A.250. WSR 23-07-095, § 388-412-0015, filed 3/17/23, effective 4/17/23; WSR 22-09-040, § 388-412-0015, filed 4/13/22, effective 5/14/22. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.005, 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.500, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.08A.120, and P.L. 115-334 § 4004. WSR 20-04-021, § 388-412-0015, filed 1/27/20, effective 2/27/20. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.005, 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.500, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, and 74.08A.120, 7 C.F.R. §§ 273.1 and 273.9 (d)(iii)(B), SNAP Administrative Notice 17-30, and SNAP memo dated August 28, 2017. WSR 18-02-043, § 388-412-0015, filed 12/26/17, effective 1/26/18. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, and 7 C.F.R. 273.9. WSR 16-20-087, § 388-412-0015, filed 10/4/16, effective 2/1/17. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.005, 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.500, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.08A.120. WSR 15-02-041, § 388-412-0015, filed 1/2/15, effective 2/2/15. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.005, 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.500, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.08A.120 and USDA, FNS, per SNAP Administrative Notice 13-26, SNAP - FY 2014 COLAS and ARRA Sunset Impact on Allotments dated August 2, 2013, and USDA SNAP 10-6-WA-SUA dated August 8, 2013, approving the proposed SUA. WSR 14-04-050, § 388-412-0015, filed 1/27/14, effective 2/27/14. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.005, 74.04.500, 74.04.510, 74.04.515, 74.08.090, and 74.08A.120. WSR 12-18-024, § 388-412-0015, filed 8/27/12, effective 9/27/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.04.510, 74.04.770, 74.12.260, 74.08.580, 9.91.142, 7 C.F.R. 273.16, the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 as amended and 42 U.S.C. 601a; and 2011 c 42. WSR 11-19-047, § 388-412-0015, filed 9/13/11, effective 10/14/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.04.500, 74.08A.120, and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. WSR 09-14-018, § 388-412-0015, filed 6/22/09, effective 7/23/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.08.090. WSR 08-24-051, § 388-412-0015, filed 11/25/08, effective 12/26/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090. WSR 05-02-016, § 388-412-0015, filed 12/27/04, effective 1/27/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510. WSR 03-22-038, § 388-412-0015, filed 10/28/03, effective 12/1/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.510 and 74.08.090. WSR 01-18-054, § 388-412-0015, filed 8/30/01, effective 9/30/01; WSR 99-16-024, § 388-412-0015, filed 7/26/99, effective 9/1/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. WSR 98-16-044, § 388-412-0015, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98.]


PDF388-412-0020

When do I get my benefits?

(1) If you get your cash benefits on an electronic benefits card (EBT), you get your cash benefits deposited on the first of each month.
(2) If you get your cash benefits deposited directly to your bank account by electronic funds transfer (EFT), your money is deposited on the first working day of the month. When the first of the month is a federal holiday or a Sunday, the benefits are deposited the following day.
(3) If you get basic food, your benefits are issued by the twentieth day of each month. Our eligibility system automatically assigns the day you get your benefits when we approve your basic food. We tell you the date you will get your monthly benefits on your approval letter.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, and 7 C.F.R. 273.9. WSR 16-20-087, § 388-412-0020, filed 10/4/16, effective 2/1/17. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510. WSR 03-22-038, § 388-412-0020, filed 10/28/03, effective 12/1/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.510 and 74.08.090. WSR 02-18-105, § 388-412-0020, filed 9/3/02, effective 10/4/02; WSR 01-18-054, § 388-412-0020, filed 8/30/01, effective 9/30/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and S. 825, Public Law 104-193, Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. WSR 99-02-039, § 388-412-0020, filed 12/31/98, effective 1/31/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. WSR 98-16-044, § 388-412-0020, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98.]


PDF388-412-0025

How do I receive my benefits?

(1) You can choose to get your cash benefits by:
(a) Electronic benefit transfer (EBT), which is a direct deposit into a DSHS account that you access with a debit card called the Washington EBT Quest card;
(b) Electronic funds transfer (EFT), which is a direct deposit into your own bank account;
(c) A warrant (check) to an approved authorized representative (AREP);
(d) A warrant (check) to a payee who is not approved for direct deposit; or
(e) A warrant (check) to you if you get:
(i) Diversion cash assistance (DCA) that is not paid directly to a vendor;
(ii) Ongoing additional requirements (OAR) and are receiving SSI; or
(iii) Clothing and personal incidentals (CPI) payments.
(2) We send your basic food benefits to you by EBT.
(3) EBT accounts:
(a) We set up an EBT account for the head of household of each assistance unit (AU) that receives benefits by EBT.
(b) You use a Quest debit card to access your benefits in your EBT account. You select a personal identification number (PIN) that you must enter when using this card.
(c) You must use your cash and basic food benefits from your EBT account. We cannot transfer cash to your bank account or change cash or basic food benefits to checks.
(4) Suspended EBT benefits:
(a) We suspend access to benefits from your EBT account if:
(i) You are a single-person household; and
(ii) We are notified that you are incarcerated over 30 days.
(b) You must contact the department upon release to activate your EBT account for use within 48 hours.
(5) Unused EBT benefits:
(a) If you do not use your EBT account within 274 days, we cancel the cash and basic food on your account; or
(b) Benefits on your account will be cancelled upon verification you and all members of your household are deceased.
(6) Replacing benefits:
(a) Replacing basic food benefits: We cannot replace cancelled basic food benefits.
(b) Replacing cash benefits: We can replace cancelled cash benefits for you or another member of your assistance unit. Cash benefits are not transferable to someone outside of your assistance unit.
(c) Replacing cash warrants:
(i) If we issued you cash benefits as a warrant we can replace these benefits for you or a member of your assistance unit. Cash benefits are not transferable to someone outside of your assistance unit.
(ii) If we issued the benefits as a warrant 160 or fewer days ago, your local office can replace the warrant.
(iii) If we issued the benefits as a warrant more than 160 days ago, the Office of Accounting Services (OAS) can replace the warrant. We will contact OAS with the request.
(7) Correcting your EBT balance: When you make a purchase with your EBT card a system error can occur where the purchase amount is not deducted from your EBT account. When the error is discovered the following will happen:
(a) You will be notified in writing of the system error before the money is removed from your account; and
(b) You will have 90 days to request an administrative hearing. If you ask for an administrative hearing within 10 calendar days, the money will not be removed from your EBT account unless:
(i) You withdraw your administrative hearing request in writing;
(ii) You do not follow through with the administrative hearing process; or
(iii) The administrative law judge tells us in writing to remove the money.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.005, 74.08.283, and 2023 c 475. WSR 24-05-032, § 388-412-0025, filed 2/13/24, effective 4/1/24. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, and 7 C.F.R. 274.2 (i)(3). WSR 22-15-048, § 388-412-0025, filed 7/15/22, effective 8/15/22. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.08.090 and 7 C.F.R. 274.2(i). WSR 21-13-168, § 388-412-0025, filed 6/23/21, effective 8/1/21. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, and 74.08.090. WSR 12-14-052, § 388-412-0025, filed 6/28/12, effective 8/1/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.500, 74.04.510, 74.04.005, 74.08.090, 74.08A.020, 7 C.F.R. 274.12 and Quest operating rules. WSR 09-21-071, § 388-412-0025, filed 10/16/09, effective 11/16/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.500, 74.04.510, 74.04.515, 74.08.090, and 7 C.F.R. 274.12. WSR 07-04-029, § 388-412-0025, filed 1/29/07, effective 3/1/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.08.090. WSR 05-17-089, § 388-412-0025, filed 8/12/05, effective 9/12/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510. WSR 03-22-038, § 388-412-0025, filed 10/28/03, effective 12/1/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.510 and 74.08.090. WSR 02-18-105, § 388-412-0025, filed 9/3/02, effective 10/4/02; WSR 01-18-054, § 388-412-0025, filed 8/30/01, effective 9/30/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. WSR 98-16-044, § 388-412-0025, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98.]


PDF388-412-0030

Returning a warrant.

(1) A person who has possession of a warrant payable to a deceased payee must return the warrant to the department for cancellation.
(2) A person who has possession of a warrant payable to an assistance unit payee who has left the home and is not likely to return during the month to endorse the warrant, must return the warrant to the CSO. The warrant may be reissued to another eligible payee for the assistance unit.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and S. 825, Public Law 104-193, Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. WSR 99-02-039, § 388-412-0030, filed 12/31/98, effective 1/31/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. WSR 98-16-044, § 388-412-0030, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98.]


PDF388-412-0035

Loss, theft, destruction or nonreceipt of a warrant issued to clients and vendors.

The following applies to replacements of warrants issued to clients and to vendors.
(1) The department does not replace a warrant or the cash proceeds from a warrant which was endorsed by a client or vendor.
(2) Clients or vendors asking for a replacement of a warrant which was not endorsed by them must:
(a) Complete a notarized affidavit;
(b) Provide all facts surrounding the loss, theft, destruction or nonreceipt of the warrant; and
(c) File a report with the police or the post office, as appropriate.
(3) If a client is eligible to receive a replacement, the warrant is issued:
(a) On or before the tenth of the month in which the warrant was due; or
(b) Within five working days of the date the decision is made to replace the warrant, whichever is later.
(4) A client or vendor is issued the full amount of the original warrant if the warrant is replaced.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and S. 825, Public Law 104-193, Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. WSR 99-02-039, § 388-412-0035, filed 12/31/98, effective 1/31/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. WSR 98-16-044, § 388-412-0035, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98.]


PDF388-412-0040

Can I get my benefits replaced?

Under certain conditions, we may replace your benefits.
(1) You may get either your EBT cash or food assistance, or both replaced if:
(a) We make a mistake that causes you to lose benefits;
(b) The EBT card mailed to you is stolen from the mail, you never had the ability to use the benefits, and you lost benefits;
(c) You left a drug or alcohol treatment facility on or before the 15th of the month and the facility does not have enough food assistance benefits in their EBT account for one-half of the allotment that they owe you;
(d) Your EBT benefits that were recently deposited into an inactive EBT account were canceled by mistake; or
(e) The food that your household purchased with food assistance benefits was destroyed in a household disaster or misfortune; and
(i) You reported the loss to the department within 10 days from the date of the loss; and
(ii) You submitted a signed statement attesting to the household's loss within 10 days from the date the loss was reported.
(iii) We replace the amount of your loss up to a one-month benefit amount.
(iv) There is no limit to the number of replacements for food destroyed in a household misfortune.
(f) Your food benefits were stolen, despite your EBT card being in your possession, via card skimming, cloning, or other similar fraudulent method between October 1, 2022, and September 30, 2024; and
(i) The head of household of your assistance unit submitted a completed and signed claim within 30 days of discovering the loss; and
(ii) You have not already received two food replacements in the current federal fiscal year.
(iii) We replace the amount of your loss or the amount of twice your food assistance allotment that was issued immediately prior to the date of the theft, whichever is less.
(iv) Retroactive claims for food assistance stolen between October 1, 2022, and August 22, 2023, must be reported no later than October 22, 2023.
(v) Replacement of benefits stolen via card skimming, cloning, or other similar method is contingent upon federal approval.
(g) Your cash benefits were stolen, despite your EBT card being in your possession, via card skimming, cloning, or other similar fraudulent method on or after July 1, 2024; and
(i) The head of household of your assistance unit submitted a completed and signed claim within 30 days of discovering the loss; and
(ii) You have not already received two cash replacements in the current federal fiscal year; and
(iii) You received cash benefits through one of these programs: temporary assistance for needy families (TANF), state family assistance (SFA), pregnant women assistance (PWA), refugee cash assistance (RCA), or aged, blind, or disabled (ABD) cash assistance.
(iv) We replace the amount of your loss or the amount of twice your cash assistance allotment that was issued immediately prior to the date of the theft, whichever is less.
(v) Replacement of cash benefits stolen via card skimming, cloning, or other similar method will end on September 30, 2024, or on the date that the federal government ends the requirement that food benefits must be replaced, whichever is later.
(vi) Replacement of cash benefits stolen via card skimming, cloning, or other similar method will end if state funds appropriated for this purpose are exhausted.
(2) We will not replace your benefits if:
(a) We decided that your request is fraudulent or skimming is not validated;
(b) Your EBT card was lost, stolen, or misplaced except for (1)(b) of this section;
(c) You are pending an administrative hearing decision regarding a denial of replacement benefits. You have the right to an administrative hearing if your request for replacement benefits is denied; or
(d) You received disaster supplemental nutrition assistance program (D-SNAP) benefits for the same month you requested a replacement for food assistance.
(3) It is your responsibility to keep track of your household's EBT card.
(a) If you have multiple EBT cards replaced, we may suspect you to be trafficking benefits as described under WAC 388-412-0046 (2)(d).
(b) If we suspect trafficking, we will refer your case for investigation by the office of fraud and accountability. Persons trafficking in food assistance benefits may be subject to fines, disqualification from food assistance, and legal action including criminal prosecution.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20A.550, 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.500, 74.04.510, 74.08A.120, 74.08.090, 2024 c 376, and 7 C.F.R. 274.6 (a)(4). WSR 24-14-081, § 388-412-0040, filed 6/28/24, effective 8/1/24. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.500, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.08A.120, and P.L. 117-328, Title IV, Sec. 501. WSR 23-23-129, § 388-412-0040, filed 11/17/23, effective 12/18/23. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.04.510, 74.04.770, 74.12.260, 74.08.580, 9.91.142, 7 C.F.R. 273.16, the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 as amended and 42 U.S.C. 601a; and 2011 c 42. WSR 11-19-047, § 388-412-0040, filed 9/13/11, effective 10/14/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, and 74.08.090. WSR 09-21-009, § 388-412-0040, filed 10/8/09, effective 11/15/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, and 74.04.510. WSR 08-14-047, § 388-412-0040, filed 6/24/08, effective 7/25/08; WSR 03-22-038, § 388-412-0040, filed 10/28/03, effective 12/1/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.510 and 74.08.090. WSR 01-18-054, § 388-412-0040, filed 8/30/01, effective 9/30/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. WSR 98-16-044, § 388-412-0040, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98.]


PDF388-412-0046

What is the purpose of DSHS cash and food assistance benefits and how can I use my benefits?

(1) What is the purpose of DSHS cash benefits?
(a) DSHS cash assistance benefits are provided to low-income residents who qualify for public assistance programs. These benefits are intended to help pay for basic living expenses as described under RCW 74.04.770. TANF cash grants must be used for the sole benefit of the children, and we may require proof that you are using your TANF cash assistance to benefit your children as allowed under RCW 74.12.260.
(b) Your electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card or cash assistance benefits may only be used by you, an eligible member of your household, an authorized non-member, or an authorized representative/protective payee for the purposes of your cash assistance program. You are not allowed to sell, attempt to sell, exchange, or donate your EBT card or benefits to any other person or entity.
(i) An authorized non-member is a person selected, by the household, to use the EBT card and make purchases for the sole benefit of the household, on behalf of the household, on an as-needed basis.
(c) You may use your cash benefits to pay a reasonable amount of basic living expenses such as:
(i) Shelter;
(ii) Utilities such as heating, telephone, water, sewer, garbage, and recycling;
(iii) Food;
(iv) Transportation;
(v) Clothing;
(vi) Household maintenance;
(vii) Personal hygiene;
(viii) Employment- or school-related items; and
(ix) Other necessary incidentals and items.
(d) It is illegal to use electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards or cash obtained with EBT cards to:
(i) Gamble. Gambling includes:
(A) The purchase of lottery tickets;
(B) The purchase of pull tabs;
(C) Use of punch boards;
(D) Purchase of bingo cards;
(E) Betting on horse racing;
(F) Participating in casino games; and
(G) Participating in other games of chance as found in chapters 9.46, 67.16 and 67.70 RCW.
(ii) Purchase cigarettes as defined in RCW 82.24.010 or tobacco products as defined in RCW 82.26.010;
(iii) Purchase any items regulated under Title 66 RCW;
(iv) Purchase or participate in any activities in any of the following locations:
(A) Taverns licensed under RCW 66.24.330;
(B) Beer/wine specialty stores licensed under RCW 66.24.371, except if the store is an authorized supplemental nutrition assistance program or women, infants, and children retailer;
(C) Nightclubs licensed under RCW 66.24.600;
(D) Bail bond agencies regulated under chapter 18.185 RCW;
(E) Gambling establishments licensed under chapter 9.46 RCW;
(F) Tattoo, body piercing, or body art shops regulated under chapter 18.300 RCW;
(G) Adult entertainment venues with performances that contain erotic material where minors under the age of 18 are prohibited under RCW 9.68A.150;
(H) Any establishments where persons under the age of 18 are not permitted.
(e) If you use your electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card or cash obtained from your EBT card illegally we may:
(i) Assign a protective payee to manage your cash assistance benefits under WAC 388-460-0035;
(ii) For households receiving TANF, require proof that your benefits are being used for the benefit of the children in the household;
(iii) Terminate your cash benefits; or
(iv) Pursue legal action, including criminal prosecution.
(2) What is the purpose of DSHS food assistance benefits?
(a) DSHS food assistance benefits, including those from the basic food program, state funded basic food program for legal immigrants (FAP), Washington state combined application project (WASHCAP), and transitional food assistance (TFA), help low-income individuals and families have a more nutritious diet by providing food assistance benefits through EBT cards for eligible households to buy groceries.
(b) You, members of your household, an authorized non-member, or an authorized representative may use your food assistance benefits to buy food items for your household from a food retailer authorized to accept supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).
(i) An authorized non-member is a person selected by the household to use the EBT card and make purchases for the sole benefit of the household, on behalf of the household, on an as-needed basis.
(c) You can use your food assistance benefits to buy items such as:
(i) Breads and cereals;
(ii) Fruits and vegetables;
(iii) Cheese, milk, and other dairy products;
(iv) Meats, fish, poultry, and eggs;
(v) Most other food items that are not prepared hot foods; and
(vi) Seeds and plants that produce food.
(d) It is illegal to:
(i) Give your EBT card or benefits to anyone who is not in your food assistance household, not an authorized non-member, or not your authorized representative.
(ii) Use food benefits for any purpose other than to buy food for eligible household members.
(iii) Exchange food benefits for anything of value (trafficking). Examples of illegal trafficking include exchanging or attempting to exchange food benefits for cash, drugs, weapons, or anything other than food from an authorized retailer.
(iv) Sell, attempt to sell, exchange, or donate an EBT card, EBT card number, personal identification numbers (PINs), or any benefits to any person or entity.
(v) Buy, attempt to buy, or steal someone's EBT card, EBT card number, or PIN.
(vi) Sell or trade any food that was purchased using food assistance benefits for cash, drugs, alcohol, tobacco products, firearms, or anything of value.
(vii) Use food benefits to buy nonfood items such as cigarettes, tobacco, beer, wine, liquor, household supplies, soaps, paper products, vitamins, medicine, or pet food.
(viii) Commit any other act in violation of the Food Nutrition Act of 2008, regulations for the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) under Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations or any Washington state administrative code relating to the use, presentation, transfer, acquisition, receipt, trafficking, or possession of food assistance benefits.
(e) If you intentionally misuse food assistance benefits, you may be:
(i) Disqualified for an intentional program violation under WAC 388-446-0015 and 388-446-0020. If you are disqualified you will lose your benefits for at least one year and up to a lifetime. The disqualification continues even if you move to another state.
(ii) Subject to fines.
(iii) Subject to legal action, including criminal prosecution. DSHS will cooperate with state, local, and federal prosecuting authorities to prosecute trafficking in food assistance/SNAP benefits.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.500, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.08A.120, and 74.08.580. WSR 22-20-081, § 388-412-0046, filed 10/3/22, effective 11/3/22. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.08.580 and 7 C.F.R. §§ 271.2 and 273.16. WSR 20-23-044, § 388-412-0046, filed 11/12/20, effective 12/13/20. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.08.090 and 7 C.F.R. §§ 271.2 and 273.16. WSR 19-03-054, § 388-412-0046, filed 1/10/19, effective 2/10/19. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, and 7 C.F.R. § 271.2. WSR 14-05-063, § 388-412-0046, filed 2/18/14, effective 3/21/14. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.04.510, 74.04.770, 74.12.260, 74.08.580, 9.91.142, 7 C.F.R. 273.16, the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 as amended and 42 U.S.C. 601a; and 2011 c 42. WSR 11-19-047, § 388-412-0046, filed 9/13/11, effective 10/14/11.]