Washington SNAP (Food Stamps): 2026 Income Limits and Moving In or Out
Moving TO Washington
Basic Food (Washington's SNAP program) does not accept transferred cases from other states: every new Washington resident applies fresh through Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. There is no waiting period tied to how recently you arrived — eligibility is decided on Washington's own income and household rules from the day you become a resident.
Leaving Washington
Leaving Washington ends your Basic Food (Washington's SNAP program) case — no state will take it over. Close the case with Washington State Department of Social and Health Services effective your move month, then apply in your destination state immediately after arriving.
Official agency: Washington State Department of Social and Health Services ↗ (application page)
Washington SNAP at a glance
| Program name | Basic Food |
|---|---|
| Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility | Yes |
| Gross income limit | 200% of the federal poverty level |
| Processing | Federal SNAP standard: 30 days; expedited service within 7 days. DSHS states benefits are issued by the day after eligibility is determined. |
Washington SNAP income limits by household size (FY2027)
These limits apply October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027. Washington uses Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE), which sets its gross income limit at 200% of the federal poverty level.
| Household size | Gross monthly limit (200% FPL) | Maximum monthly benefit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $2,660 | $306 |
| 2 people | $3,607 | $562 |
| 3 people | $4,554 | $808 |
| 4 people | $5,500 | $1,023 |
| 5 people | $6,447 | $1,217 |
| 6 people | $7,394 | $1,463 |
| 7 people | $8,340 | $1,616 |
| 8 people | $9,287 | $1,841 |
| Each additional person | +$947 | +$225 |
- Gross limits are computed as 200% of the 2026 HHS poverty guidelines (48 contiguous states and DC) ÷ 12, rounded up — USDA's method for its own tables. Washington computes its BBCE limits itself and its chart may differ by a dollar; the state chart controls. Maximum benefits are USDA's published FY2027 allotments.
- BBCE usually relaxes or removes the asset test; ask Washington State Department of Social and Health Services for Washington's rule. A household with a member 60+ or disabled whose income is above this limit can still qualify under the regular federal net-income test. Benefit amounts are calculated from net income, so most households get less than the maximum.
Federal sources: USDA SNAP FY2027 Cost-of-Living Adjustments (published 2026-08-21) · HHS 2026 Poverty Guidelines (91 FR 1797) (published 2026-01-15)
How to apply for SNAP in Washington
Apply with Washington State Department of Social and Health Services online at washingtonconnection.org, which runs the program as Basic Food. Go to the official application page ↗
Processing time: Federal SNAP standard: 30 days; expedited service within 7 days. DSHS states benefits are issued by the day after eligibility is determined.
Common questions
What is the SNAP income limit in Washington?
Washington's gross income limit is 200% of the federal poverty level: $2,660 a month for one person and $5,500 for a household of four, for October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027.
Can I use my Washington EBT card in another state?
Yes. SNAP EBT cards work at authorized stores in every state, so you can spend benefits already on the card after you move. But you can only receive SNAP from the state you live in: report the move to Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, then apply in your new state.
How do I apply for SNAP in Washington?
Apply with Washington State Department of Social and Health Services online at washingtonconnection.org, which runs the program as Basic Food. Processing time: federal SNAP standard: 30 days; expedited service within 7 days. DSHS states benefits are issued by the day after eligibility is determined.
Who runs SNAP in Washington?
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, which runs the program as Basic Food. The official page and application link are cited below — always act through them.
Does Washington make new residents wait for SNAP?
No state may impose a residency waiting period for SNAP. You apply as soon as you live in Washington; eligibility is decided on Washington's own rules.
Where do I report that I'm leaving Washington?
Report your move via Washington Connection or DSHS at 1-877-501-2233 and ask to close your Basic Food case before applying in your new state — no SNAP in two states in the same month.
Every move involving Washington
From Washington to…
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
To Washington from…
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Other benefits in Washington
- Medicaid in Washington
- WIC in Washington
- Unemployment in Washington
- TANF in Washington
- SNAP in every state
- State benefits statistics
Terms on this page: Federal poverty level (FPL) · Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE) · Expedited SNAP · EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer)
Official sources
Every fact above was checked against these official pages. Last verified .
- DSHS Basic Food — accessed 2026-08-08
- USDA FNS BBCE state chart — accessed 2026-08-08