PDFWAC 388-492-0050

How do I apply for WASHCAP?

(1) You apply for WASHCAP food benefits at the Social Security Administration (SSA) when you apply for supplemental security income (SSI).
(2) If you want food benefits, your SSA worker will ask you WASHCAP food eligibility questions when you have your SSI interview.
(3) If you are eligible for WASHCAP food benefits, your benefits will start the first of the month after the month you apply and are eligible for ongoing SSI benefits.
(4) If you need food benefits in seven days or less, you must apply for expedited services at:
(a) Any community services office (CSO);
(b) Any home and community services office (HCS) if you get long-term care services; or
(c) Any SSA office if you give them an application for basic food expedited services when you apply for SSI. SSA forwards the basic food application to the local CSO to process.
(5) If you want basic food benefits before you get SSI, you must apply at:
(a) SSA if you give them a basic food application when you apply for SSI;
(b) Any CSO; or
(c) Any HCS office if you get long-term care services.
(6) If you already receive SSI and want WASHCAP food benefits, you can apply at:
(a) Any SSA office;
(b) Any CSO;
(c) Any HCS office if you get long-term care services.
(7) If you get basic food benefits, these benefits will continue:
(a) Through the end of your certification period; or
(b) Through the month before your WASHCAP food benefits start.
(8) If your basic food benefits end before you are eligible for WASHCAP food benefits, you must reapply to continue these benefits.
(9) If you get basic food benefits and you become eligible for WASHCAP food benefits, we will automatically change your basic food benefits to WASHCAP food benefits.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.500, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.08.010. WSR 11-07-014, § 388-492-0050, filed 3/8/11, effective 4/8/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.500, 74.08.090, 74.08A.903, and 7 C.F.R. 273.23. WSR 10-23-115, § 388-492-0050, filed 11/17/10, effective 12/18/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.08.090. WSR 04-23-026, § 388-492-0050, filed 11/8/04, effective 12/9/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.57 [74.04.057], 74.04.500, 74.04.510. WSR 02-15-148, § 388-492-0050, filed 7/22/02, effective 9/1/02; WSR 01-21-058, § 388-492-0050, filed 10/16/01, effective 12/1/01.]