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2023 Income Limit for Washington Food Stamps

The income limit is the most important food stamps (SNAP) eligibility requirement in Washington. In this post, In this post, we are going to walk you through the 2023 income limit for Washington food stamps, including how to calculate how much you will receive in SNAP benefits if approved.

Additionally, we will provide information on how to apply for food stamps in Washington.

Lastly, we will answer the most frequently asked questions about SNAP benefits in Washington.

Table of Contents:

  • Food Stamps in Washington
  • Who is Eligible for Food Stamps in Washington
  • 2023 Income Limit for Washington Food Stamps
  • How to Apply for Food Stamps in Washington
  • Food Stamps in Washington FAQs

2023 Income Limits for Washington Food Stamps

Food Stamps in Washington

SNAP (also known as food stamps) offers nutrition assistance to millions of eligible, low-income individuals and families in Washington.

In Washington, the SNAP program is run by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).

Once you are approved, SNAP benefits are provided on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, that is used as a debit card.

EBT cards are accepted at most grocery stores, some farmers’ markets, convenience, big box stores, and some online stores, like Walmart and Amazon.

SNAP benefits generally cannot be used to buy prepared foods, vitamins, alcohol/tobacco, and non-food items (like soap or toothpaste).

Who is Eligible for Food Stamps in Washington?

To be eligible for SNAP in Washington, a household must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • Must be a citizen or legal immigrant
  • Must be a Washington resident
  • Your household income must be less than the food stamps income limits for your household size (see chart below)
  • With some exceptions, you must work or participate in an employment and training program
  • For most households, resources must be under $2,750 to qualify for SNAP or $4,250 in countable resources if at least one member of the household is age 60 or older, or is disabled

Washington Food Stamp Income Limits...
Washington Food Stamp Income Limits for 2023

2023 Income Limit for Washington Food Stamps

To qualify for SNAP in Washington, your household income must not exceed 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.

You can find out if you may qualify by using the 2022/2023 table below.

Income limits vary according to household size.

Households that contain no elderly or disabled individuals must meet both the gross (income before deduction) and the net income (income after allowable deductions) limits.

However, households that contain an elderly (age 60 or over) individual or a disabled individual must meet only the net income limits.

See the table below for both the net and gross income limits according to household size.

Washington SNAP Income Eligibility Standards for Fiscal Year 2023
Effective October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023
Household Size Monthly Gross Income (200% of FPL) Monthly Net Income (100% of FPL)
1 $2,266 $1,133
2 $3,052 $1,526
3 $3,839 $1,920
4 $4,625 $2,313
5 $5,412 $2,706
6 $6,199 $3,100
7 $6,985 $3,493
8 $7,772 $3,886
Each Additional Household Member: Add $787 $394

How to Apply for Food Stamps in Washington

There are multiple ways you can apply for food stamps in Washington.

Option 1 – Apply Online

The easiest way to apply for SNAP benefits is online through the Washington Connection portal.

Log on to https://www.washingtonconnection.org/ and select “Apply Now.”

If you do not have an account, click on the “Create Account” link for instructions on how to set up an account.

For help in creating a Washington Connection account, see our post on How to Create a Washington Connection Account.

If you are having trouble logging into your Washington Connection account, see our guide on Washington Connection Login Help.

Option 2 – Apply by Mail or Fax an Application

To apply by mail or fax, download the SNAP application here.

Once you have completed the application, you can submit it by mail or fax.

Instructions on how to do so are included in the application.

Also, you can request an application to be mailed to you by calling 1-877-501-2233.

Option 3 – Apply in Person

If you are unable to apply online or by mail, the DSHS has Community Services offices statewide to assist you with the application process.

Click here to find your local office.

Washington Food Stamps Frequently asked questions (FAQS)

Food Stamps in Washington FAQs

Here are the most frequently asked questions about Washington Food Stamps:

What is the Phone Number for Washington Food Stamps?

If you need help applying for food stamps in Washington or have further questions about how the SNAP program works, call Customer Call Center at 1-877-501-2233.

How Much Will I Receive in Washington Food Stamps?

If you are approved for food stamps in Washington, how much in benefits you get partly depends on the:

  • Number of people in your household,
  • The total amount of your household’s income, and
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Thrifty Food Plan.

The Thrifty Food Plan is a government estimate of how much it costs to provide a household with nutritious, low-cost meals.

In Washington, the average monthly SNAP amount per person is approximately $201.

Maximum SNAP Benefit Amount by Household Size for Fiscal Year 2023
Effective October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023
Household Size Maximum SNAP Benefit Allotment
1 $281
2 $516
3 $740
4 $939
5 $1,116
6 $1,339
7 $1,480
8 $1,691
Each Additional Household Member: Add $211

To find out how much you are likely to get in Washington SNAP if approved, use the calculator below.

In the example provided below, we are using a family of 6 to demonstrate how to calculate your food stamps amount.

How Washington Food Stamps Calculator

Here’s how to calculate how much a family of 6 will get in SNAP benefits.

First, we need to start with the household income.

If you have a countable net income, multiply your net monthly income by 0.3 (30 percent).

Round up this amount to the nearest dollar.

Next, take this amount and subtract it from the maximum benefit level for a household of your size.

From the table above, the maximum a household of 6 could receive in food stamps is $1,339

The result is the monthly food stamps benefits for a family of 6.

Here’s an example:

Example: Lisa and her family of six (6) have $2,040 in net income after allowable deductions.

To determine the family’s SNAP benefits, take 30% of the “net income” (30% of $2,040) and subtract it from the maximum benefit, as follows:

$ 2,040 Net Income for Lisa’s family
x .30 (Multiply by 30%)
$ 612 Countable Income
$ 1,339 Maximum SNAP for 6 persons
-$612 Countable income (round up)
$ 727 Monthly SNAP benefits for Lisa’s family

When are Washington EBT benefits deposited?

Washington food stamps benefits are deposited on your WA EBT Card on your scheduled deposit day. Your Washington EBT Deposit Date varies from the 1st day of the month to the 10th day of the month. 

The day your Washington food stamp benefits are deposited depends on the first letter of your last name.

Food Stamp benefits will be made available in your Washington EBT Card account by 6am on your scheduled deposit day. 

Here is the Washington SNAP EBT Deposit Schedule for 2023:

The first letter of your last name ends in: SNAP Benefits are available on the:
A or B 1st day of the month
C 2nd day of the month
D, E or F 3rd day of the month
G or H 4th day of the month
I, J or K 5th day of the month
L or M 6th day of the month
N, O, P or Q 7th day of the month
R or S 8th day of the month
T, U or V 9th day of the month
W, X, Y or Z 10th day of the month

What verification information do I have to provide to receive food stamps in Washington?

To be eligible for benefits, the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) will need proof of the information provided on your food stamps application.

Your food stamps case worker will tell you exactly what verification information is needed. However, any of the following may be asked to complete verification for Washington SNAP benefits:

  • Identity
  • Citizenship
  • Who lives in your home
  • Household income
  • Child care costs
  • Disability
  • Shelter Costs
  • Specific work and/or school schedules
  • Things you own, such bank accounts, homes, property and vehicles

How Many People are on Food Stamps in Washington?

Here’s how Washington’s Food Stamps numbers compare to the National Data for the United States:
As of January 2023, there are about 900,000 people on food stamps in Washington.
Additionally, there are about 41 million people on food stamps in the United States, as shown in the tables below.
Washington Food Stamps Statistics for January 2023:
Number of People on Food Stamps in Washington
As of September 2022
September 2021 September 2022 Change
Number of People 846,119 900,922 6.5%
Number of Households 496,625 520,322 4.8%
Total Benefits ($) $198,253,013.00 $262,241,709.00 32.3%

United States Food Stamps Statistics for January 2023:

Number of People on Food Stamps in The United States
As of September 2022
September 2021 September 2022 Change
Number of People 40,846,833 41,665,296 2.0%
Number of Households 21,402,558 21,907,553 2.4%
Total Benefits ($) $9,117,810,630.00 $9,338,989,005.00 2.4%

What stores accept Washington EBT online for delivery?

Currently, there are 15 stores that accept Washington EBT Cards online as payment.

You can use your WA EBT Card and food stamp benefits to purchase approved grocery items and have it delivered directly to your door.

However, your Washington SNAP benefits cannot be use to pay for delivery fees.

Currently, the following stores accept Washington food stamps and EBT Cards online:

  1. A&J Select Market
  2. Albertsons
  3. Amazon
  4. Fred Meyer
  5. Haggan
  6. New Seasons Markets
  7. QFC
  8. Rosauers Supermarkets
  9. Safeway
  10. Sprouts Farmers Market
  11. Super 1 Foods Rosauers
  12. Target
  13. Walmart
  14. Whole Foods
  15. Yoke’s Fresh Market

Income Limit for Washington Food Stamps Summary

We hope this article on Income Limit for Washington Food Stamps was helpful.

If so, we encourage you to share this article with anyone who may also find it helpful by using the “Share this” button below.

If you have additional questions about the Washington SNAP or EBT, please leave those in the comments section below. We are here to help you!

Be sure to check out our other articles about Washington Food Stamps and EBT, including:

Carrie Brenner

Carrie is a lead writer and editor for Food Stamps Now. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from Salisbury University. Carrie specializes in content creation, website development, graphic design, SEO and content strategy for Food Stamps Now. She is passionate about helping low income Americans access the resources and information to improve their quality of life.

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