Disaster cash assistance available again for some Washingtonians beginning April 19
Contact: Norah West
norah.west@dshs.wa.gov
(360) 489–5587
OLYMPIA — Beginning April 19, Washington residents can once again apply through the Department of Social and Health Services for emergency cash assistance to help meet their immediate needs. DSHS received additional funding and a new order from Governor Inslee to reinstate this temporary program to help Washingtonians through this unprecedented time of hardship.
The governor’s proclamation enables DSHS to offer Disaster Cash Assistance Program benefits to people who are not eligible for other cash assistance programs. The assistance is available to all Washington families and people without children who meet the income and resource limits of the program.
“We’re seeing some progress towards combating the COVID-19 pandemic with vaccines becoming available to all Washingtonians and additional funding from congress to reinforce our economy,” explained Babs Roberts, director of DSHS’ Community Services Division. “But we know people are still struggling every day to meet their immediate needs like costs for shelter and utilities, and even clothing and transportation costs for work. Reinstating DCAP is another positive step to help Washingtonians move beyond the pandemic.”
This cash assistance is available to Washington residents regardless of citizenship status and does not require applicants to provide a Social Security number. New legislation states that people who have received DCAP benefits previously and are still in need may reapply each month the program is active. The benefit amount depends on household size, income and need, and ranges from a maximum of $363 for a single person to a maximum of $1,121 for a household of eight or more people. Once approved, people will receive their DCAP benefits on an existing Electronic Benefit Transfer or EBT card, or a new EBT card will be sent via U.S. mail.
People can apply for DCAP online at WashingtonConnection.org and then call the Customer Service Contact Center at 877–501–2233 to complete the required interview. People can also call 877–501–2233 to complete the entire application process over the phone. Due to much higher than normal call volumes, people are asked to call before 11 a.m. and to keep in mind that the busiest call times are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Customer Service Contact Center is open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For the latest COVID-19 benefits-related information, check the DSHS website, Facebook and Twitter accounts.
This news release is also available in Spanish.