If you live in Seattle and need help affording food, you apply for SNAP benefits through Washington’s Basic Food program, administered by the Department of Social and Health Services. A single person can qualify with gross monthly income up to $2,660 in 2026, and approved benefits are loaded onto a Washington Quest EBT card each month for use at grocery stores and farmers markets across the city.
Income Limits by Household Size
Washington uses broad-based categorical eligibility, so most households qualify on gross monthly income alone — set at 200 percent of the federal poverty level — without a separate asset or resource test.1Food and Nutrition Service. SNAP Eligibility2Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. Categorical Eligibility for Basic Food You can have a savings account, a car, and other property without affecting eligibility, unless a household member has been disqualified for an intentional program violation.
The 2026 gross monthly income limits are:
- 1 person: $2,660
- 2 people: $3,607
- 3 people: $4,553
- 4 people: $5,500
- 5 people: $6,447
- 6 people: $7,393
- 7 people: $8,340
- 8 people: $9,287
These figures are gross income before taxes and deductions.3King County, Washington. Basic Food If your household includes someone age 60 or older or a person with a disability, DSHS also looks at net income after deductions for medical costs, shelter, and other allowable categories, which can matter if you have high out-of-pocket medical expenses.
How Much You’ll Get Each Month
Your benefit depends on household size, income, and allowable deductions. The maximum monthly allotments for FY2026 are $298 for one person, $546 for two, $785 for three, $994 for four, $1,183 for five, $1,421 for six, $1,571 for seven, and $1,789 for eight. Each additional person adds about $224.4Food and Nutrition Service. SNAP Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Information Most households receive less than the maximum, because benefits phase down as income rises.
Deductions That Raise Your Benefit
DSHS subtracts certain expenses from your gross income before calculating the benefit. Rent or mortgage payments are one of the largest. Washington also applies a standard utility allowance instead of making you document each utility bill individually — if your household pays heating costs, a fixed amount is subtracted from your income automatically.5Washington State Legislature. WAC 388-450-0195
Households with an elderly or disabled member can also deduct unreimbursed medical expenses above $35 per month. That covers doctor visits, prescriptions, dental work, medical equipment, insurance premiums, and transportation to appointments.6Food and Nutrition Service. SNAP Special Rules for the Elderly or Disabled You’ll need receipts, but claiming them can substantially raise your monthly benefit.
Work Rules That Can Disqualify You
Two groups face eligibility hurdles beyond the income test: able-bodied adults without dependents, and college students.
If you are between 18 and 54, physically able to work, and have no dependents, federal rules classify you as an able-bodied adult without dependents (ABAWD).7Food and Nutrition Service. SNAP Work Requirements Without meeting the work requirement, you can receive Basic Food for only three months in any three-year period. To keep benefits past that, you must work, volunteer, or be in an approved training program for at least 20 hours per week.8Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. Employment and Training Programs Washington previously waived this requirement in some areas, but the waiver ended on February 1, 2026, so Seattle residents are now subject to the full time limit. If a health condition or injury limits your ability to work, report it so DSHS can document an exemption.
College students enrolled at least half-time are generally ineligible for SNAP unless they meet a specific exemption. The most common qualifier in Seattle is working at least 20 hours per week in paid employment. Participating in a federal or state work-study program also qualifies regardless of hours or earnings.9Food and Nutrition Service. Students Other exemptions cover students under 18 or age 50 and older, single parents enrolled full-time caring for a child under 12, anyone caring for a child under 6, current TANF recipients, students placed in college through a SNAP Employment and Training program, a WIOA program, or Trade Adjustment Assistance, and anyone with a documented physical or mental limitation that prevents work. If none apply, enrollment blocks eligibility even if income is within limits.
How to Apply
The fastest route is the Washington Connection portal at washingtonconnection.org. You can also submit a paper application (DSHS Form 14-001) by mail, fax, or in person at a Community Services Office in Seattle.10Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. Forms You Might Need The date DSHS receives your application is your filing date, and benefits are calculated back to that date, so submitting even an incomplete application locks in an earlier start.
Before you start, gather:
- Social Security numbers for every household member applying11Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. Application for Cash or Food Assistance (DSHS 14-001)
- Proof of identity such as a driver’s license, state ID, or passport
- Recent pay stubs and benefit award letters for any unearned income
- Your lease, mortgage statement, or a letter from whoever you pay rent to
- Utility bills or proof of heating costs if you want the standard utility allowance
- Medical expense records if your household includes someone elderly or disabled
After DSHS receives the application, a staff member schedules an interview, usually by phone. This is mandatory at initial application.12Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. Interview Requirements DSHS generally has 30 days from your filing date to issue a decision.13Washington Administrative Code. WAC 388-472-0005 – What Are My Rights and Responsibilities
Expedited Benefits Within Seven Days
If your household is in immediate financial crisis, you may qualify for expedited service, which puts benefits on your card within seven calendar days. You qualify if any of the following is true:
- Gross monthly income is below $150 and liquid resources (cash, checking, savings) are $100 or less
- Combined gross monthly income and liquid resources are less than your total monthly rent or mortgage plus utilities
- You are a destitute migrant or seasonal farmworker with $100 or less in liquid resources
For expedited cases, DSHS only needs to verify your identity before issuing the first benefit. Other verification can be submitted afterward.14Washington State Legislature. WAC 388-406-0015
If You’re Denied
A denial letter will spell out the reason — commonly income over the limit, missing documentation, or a missed interview. You can request a fair hearing within 90 days of the notice date.15Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. Hearing Requests If you’re already receiving benefits and DSHS reduces or terminates them, requesting a hearing within 10 days of the change notice lets you keep your current benefit level while the appeal is pending.16Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. Continued Benefits
Using Your Quest EBT Card
Benefits are loaded onto a Washington Quest EBT card that works like a debit card at authorized retailers.17Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. EBT and EFT Make Getting Benefits Easier Use it at grocery stores, supermarkets, and participating farmers markets across Seattle. Benefits cover bread, meat, dairy, produce, and seeds or plants that produce food. You cannot buy alcohol, tobacco, vitamins or supplements, hot prepared foods, or non-food items like cleaning supplies and pet food.18Food and Nutrition Service. What Can SNAP Buy Any unspent balance rolls over to the next month automatically.19Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. Basic Food
Fresh Bucks for Produce
Seattle runs a separate city program called Fresh Bucks that gives eligible residents $60 per month to spend on fruits and vegetables at participating farmers markets, independent grocers, and supermarkets.20City of Seattle. Fresh Bucks Fresh Bucks uses Area Median Income limits that are far higher than Basic Food’s — up to $84,850 for a single person and $121,150 for a family of four — and you don’t have to be enrolled in SNAP to receive it.21Seattle Fresh Bucks. Apply If you earn too much to qualify for Basic Food, Fresh Bucks is often still open to you.
Keeping Your Benefits
Basic Food certification lasts 12 months in most cases.19Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. Basic Food During that period you must report changes in income or household composition by the 10th of the month after the change happens.22Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. Change of Circumstances (DSHS 14-076) Getting or losing a job, adding a household member, or having someone move out all count. Not reporting can create an overpayment that DSHS will collect back.
Around the sixth month, DSHS sends a mid-certification review form. No interview is required, but you need to verify any changes that could increase your benefits, and the form must be returned by the 10th of the following month.23Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. Eligibility Reviews and Mid Certification Reviews When your 12-month period is about to end, DSHS mails a recertification packet. Miss that deadline and your benefits stop until you reapply.