Washington assistance programs

Washington runs most of these programs statewide from a single agency each, with no county rulebooks: the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) decides TANF at its Community Services Offices, the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) sets one set of child care income limits and copays for Seattle and Spokane alike, and the Washington Student Achievement Council guarantees the Washington College Grant to every eligible student. The exceptions are energy help, which the Department of Commerce pays out through 26 local agencies, and homebuyer help, which the Housing Finance Commission lends through trained loan officers and never gives as a grant.

Two of the six categories share a front door. Washington Connection takes online applications for TANF cash assistance and for Working Connections Child Care; you can also apply for TANF by phone at 877-501-2233 or at any DSHS Community Services Office, and for child care at 844-626-8687. Most TANF parents must finish a WorkFirst orientation before the first check, and families who only need to clear one emergency can ask for Diversion Cash Assistance of up to $2,000 instead. The Washington cash assistance guide walks through both.

Energy, housing and college money each have their own door. LIHEAP has no statewide online application: you book with your county's agency from Commerce's provider map, and from November 15 to March 15 a LIHEAP-eligible household on a payment plan capped at 7% of income cannot have its heat shut off (energy guide). WSHFC's Home Advantage, House Key Opportunity and Covenant down payment programs are all deferred second loans that only a Commission-trained loan officer can reserve (homebuyer guide). The WA Grant is awarded by your college's aid office after you file the FAFSA or, if you cannot or choose not to, the state-only WASFA (student grant guide).

Some of what is called a grant in Washington is not. Commerce says its $163 million federal SSBCI allocation goes out as loans, collateral support and venture equity, and the state has no grant for opening a business; the true grants are the Job Skills Program, which pays half of employee training through a college, and STEP export vouchers (small business guide). On the child care side, free pre-K is separate from the subsidy: ECEAP enrolls 3- and 4-year-olds at or below 36% of state median income through local contractors, and Transition to Kindergarten runs through school districts (child care guide).