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Food Assistance Programs

Need Food? Go and Check your eligibility and apply for programs

If you need help buying food, there are programs in Washington State that can help:

WIC

The Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) provides healthy foods, nutrition tips, breastfeeding help and referrals to pregnant and breastfeeding women and children under the age of five. With WIC you can receive checks for up to $50 to buy healthy foods at your local grocery store. Getting WIC will not affect your immigration status. WIC is an equal opportunity program.

Girl riding in shopping cart

Basic Food (Food Stamps)

Basic Food is the name for the Food Stamp Program in Washington State. Basic Food helps low-income families buy food with an Electronic Benefits Transfer Card (EBT). EBT cards work like debit cards. You can spend your monthly benefits in participating grocery stores.

Other Food Resources

Food banks are another resource in your community. If you find yourself running out of food at the end of the month, or skipping meals so that your children will have enough to eat, your local food bank can help. They are there to help you make ends meet.

  • To find a food bank in your area, choose Food and then Food Banks from the list on the Resource Finder. You can also call the Family Food Hotline at 1-888-436-6392.

The Summer Meals Program is part of the federal school nutrition program that provides free meals and snacks to kids and teens during the summer months. Summer meal sites are located in schools, recreation centers, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, and camps. All kids and teens (18 years old and younger) are eligible for the program, regardless of income!