From a Basic Food recipient:
"Thank you so much for the food stamp card. It has helped me so much...This helps me buy things I have not been able to buy for a long time, like greens and fresh fruit."
-Anna R., Colfax, WA
Basic Food/SNAP
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), called Basic Food in Washington, helps low income people make ends meet by providing monthly benefits to buy food. Participating in Basic Food has other benefits including:
- Enrollment in free school meals for school-aged children;
- Shows your family meets the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) income test.
Am I eligible? How much would I get each month
Eligibility for Basic Food is based on your monthly income (before taxes) and your household size. We also look at your regular expenses, such as rent and child care, to determine what your benefits will be.
You can estimate your benefits with our Benefit Estimator. This is only an estimate. There may be other factors that affect your eligibility.
Income Limits
Your household can have income up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines and be eligible for Basic Food. Asset limits also don't apply to households with total monthly income under this limit.
| Household Size | Monthly Income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $1,980 |
| 2 | $2,670 |
| 3 | $3,360 |
| 4 | $4,050 |
| 5 | $4,540 |
What Can I Buy With Basic Food?
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service sets rules on what SNAP / Basic Food benefits can be used for.
| Basic Food benefits can be used to buy: | Basic Food benefits cannot be: |
|---|---|
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The Agency follows a policy of non-discrimination. There are more details here.