Emergency Assistance for Single Mothers in Washington

Where to start in the first hour

Quick reference table

Food help in Washington

Basic Food, also called SNAP

Washington calls SNAP the Basic Food program. It helps low-income households buy groceries with an EBT card. Start at Basic Food if you want to read the program page, or use Washington Connection to apply.

If your situation is urgent, ask for expedited Basic Food. DSHS says expedited service is for households that meet emergency conditions and may need food benefits within seven calendar days. Do not wait for the worker to guess. Say, “I need expedited Basic Food. Can you screen my application today?”

For more detail on food benefits, see our Washington SNAP guide. For broad food-program basics, our SNAP help guide explains how food assistance usually works.

Food banks and emergency groceries

Food banks may help before your benefits are approved. The Washington State Department of Agriculture has a Food Near You tool that can connect you with local food resources. You can also call 211 and ask for “food banks open today,” “diapers,” “formula,” “hot meals,” and “delivery options” if transportation is a problem.

WIC for pregnancy and young children

WIC helps pregnant people, postpartum mothers, breastfeeding mothers, babies, and children under 5 with food, nutrition support, breastfeeding help, and referrals. The Washington Department of Health says you can find a WIC clinic or call the WIC Cascades Support Line at 1-800-841-1410.

WIC can be especially helpful when you need formula, toddler food, or breastfeeding support. Our Washington WIC guide can help you plan what to ask before your appointment.

Cash and emergency money help

Washington has several cash-related programs, but they are not the same. Some are monthly benefits. Some are one-time help. Some are only for families with children or pregnant people. Some are only for people already getting a cash program.

TANF and WorkFirst

TANF gives temporary monthly cash assistance to eligible families. Families must include a pregnant individual or a minor child. Some families must take part in WorkFirst, which can include work, job search, training, or support services.

If you need cash assistance and have children, apply even if you are not sure you qualify. You can also read our Washington TANF guide before you call.

Diversion Cash Assistance

Diversion Cash Assistance may help a family with a short-term need if the family does not want ongoing TANF. DSHS lists the maximum benefit as up to $2,000 once in a 12-month period for specific needs such as housing, utilities, transportation, or child care.

Use this program carefully. If you receive diversion help, it can affect whether you may get TANF for a period after that. Ask the worker to explain the tradeoff before you agree.

Emergency DSHS programs

DSHS has an emergency page that explains several emergency programs. AREN may help with housing or utility emergencies for some families or pregnant people already receiving TANF or State Family Assistance. The DSHS AREN page explains that the help is meant to keep housing, prevent utility disconnection, or help a family move into housing they can afford.

CEAP and Disaster Cash Assistance are separate. Disaster Cash Assistance is generally tied to a governor-declared disaster or emergency. Ask DSHS whether any emergency cash program is active for your situation instead of assuming it is open.

Unemployment and paid leave

Unemployment benefits are not based on need. They are based on work history and job separation. The Washington Employment Security Department explains unemployment benefits and says the Claims Center phone number is 800-318-6022. Its benefit estimator says weekly benefits depend on wages, with an official maximum weekly amount of $1,152 and a minimum amount of $366 when the current formula applies.

If you need time off for your own serious health condition, pregnancy, bonding, or care for a family member, check Paid Leave. Paid Leave is different from unemployment.

Housing, shelter, rent, and utilities

If you may lose housing

Call 211 and ask for emergency shelter, family shelter, Coordinated Entry, homeless prevention, rent help, and legal aid. Washington Commerce says Coordinated Entry is a process local systems use to connect people with housing resources. It does not create new housing, and local openings can be limited.

If you have a notice from your landlord or court papers, do not wait for a rent fund to respond. Contact legal aid. You can also use our Washington legal help page for a state-specific starting point and our Washington housing guide for longer-term housing options.

If utilities may be shut off

Call the utility company first. Ask for a payment plan, medical hold if someone in the home has a medical need, hardship extension, budget billing, or low-income discount. Then ask 211 for the local Community Action agency and LIHEAP appointment options. Washington Commerce says the LIHEAP page is the place to learn how energy assistance is handled through local organizations.

If you already receive TANF or State Family Assistance, ask DSHS about AREN. If you do not receive those benefits, still ask 211 about utility charities, city funds, church funds, and local nonprofit funds. Our Washington utility guide has more utility-specific steps.

Health care, child care, legal aid, and safety help

Health coverage

Apple Health is Washington Medicaid. You can apply through Healthplanfinder, and Washington Healthplanfinder says Apple Health is available year-round for people who qualify. If you are pregnant, applying for a child, or applying as a parent or caretaker, do not delay because you lost a job or moved. Our Washington health guide gives more health coverage steps.

Child care help

The Working Connections Child Care program helps eligible families pay for child care. DCYF says support is available by phone in multiple languages at 844-626-8687, and the child care subsidy page explains the application path. If child care is stopping you from working, keeping a job, attending training, or going to an interview, ask about urgency when you apply. Our Washington child care guide can help you compare next steps.

Legal aid

The Northwest Justice Project CLEAR hotline is a statewide legal hotline for low-income people. It may help with eviction, benefits, family safety, health access, income problems, and other civil legal issues. Legal aid resources are limited, so call early and keep trying during open hours.

Domestic violence and family safety

If someone is monitoring your phone or computer, use the safest device you can. The Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence explains what to expect when you contact a program through WSCADV help. Advocates may help with safe shelter, safety planning, legal advocacy, benefits, housing, and referrals. Our Washington safety guide has more state-specific resources.

Documents and information to gather

Do not skip applying just because you do not have every paper. Apply first if the need is urgent, then upload or bring documents when asked. Still, having these ready can reduce delays.

For a fuller checklist, use our documents checklist before you call or apply.

If you are denied, delayed, or ignored

Ask for the decision in writing. Ask what rule was used and what proof would change the decision. If there is an appeal deadline, write it down the same day. For benefits, housing, eviction, or family safety problems, contact legal aid early. Our guide on benefits problems explains how to organize a denial or delay.

For local help, use our Washington community support page. For broader national next steps, our emergency help page can help you compare bill, rent, food, and utility options.