The Basic Food Program is Washington's name for the combination of federally-funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the state-funded Food Assistance Program for Legal Immigrants (FAP).  FAP is for individuals who are legal immigrants and meet all eligibility requirements for SNAP except for citizenship and immigration status.  Basic Food helps low-income individuals and families access nutritious foods.

The Transitional Food Assistance (TFA) program began in 2005.  A household that ceases to receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Tribal TANF receives TFA for five months provided the household is not in sanction status.  If necessary, the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is to extend the household's basic food certification until the end of the certification period.

In fiscal year 2021, an average of 11,180 households received TFA.

DSHS is to provide transitional food assistance for five months to a household that ceases to receive TANF and is not in full-family sanction status.

If a member of a household has been sanctioned, but the household is still receiving benefits, remaining eligible household members may receive transitional food assistance.