Washington grants
& benefits: Apple Health, WA Cares and SHIBA.
Several Washington benefits are paid with state money under state law: a tax credit tied to the federal EITC, a payroll-funded long-term care fund and a college grant every eligible resident is guaranteed.
By Subha, Public Benefits Writer · Verified
State
Washington (WA)
Capital
Olympia
Main benefits portal
Washington ConnectionWashington implemented the ACA Medicaid expansion on January 1, 2014. Medicaid here goes by Apple Health, and Basic Food is Washington's name for SNAP.
Applications are split across two websites. Washington Connection, run by DSHS, takes applications for food, cash, child care, long-term care, Medicare Savings Programs and medical help for people 65 or older, blind or disabled.
For children, pregnant people, parents and adults 18 to 64, Washington Connection points you to Washington Healthplanfinder instead. After you apply, MyWABenefits, a mobile-friendly portal, tracks your application or renewal, shows interview times and can send text or email reminders.
Claim up to $1,330 from the Working Families Tax Credit
The Department of Revenue pays this state credit to people who qualify for the federal EITC. For 2025, the maximum ranges from $335 to $1,330 depending on how many qualifying children you have. The minimum is $50.
For the 2025 credit you must have filed a 2025 federal return, lived in Washington at least 183 days that year, and be 25 to 64 or have a qualifying child. You can apply with an ITIN.
Missed a year? You can still apply using a 2024, 2023 or 2022 return. Expect a wait: the department says a record number of applications has pushed processing past 90 days.
Source: Washington DOR: Working Families Tax Credit eligibility
Tap WA Cares when long-term care is needed
WA Cares Fund is public long-term care insurance. Workers have paid 0.58% of wages into it since July 2023, and the fund now lists benefits as available statewide. The benefit is up to $36,500 over a lifetime and grows with inflation.
To use it, you must need help with three or more activities of daily living, such as bathing or managing medications. You also have to meet one of three contribution pathways:
- Paid in for at least 10 years: full benefit for life
- Paid in for at least 3 of the past 6 years when you apply: full benefit
- Born before January 1, 1968 with at least one year of contributions: 10% of the full benefit per year paid in (currently $3,650 a year)
Source: WA Cares Fund: How it works
Book a LIHEAP appointment with a local agency
LIHEAP belongs to the state Commerce department, which neither decides eligibility nor schedules appointments. Community action agencies and local partners do, and the state's LIHEAP map tool shows the one for your county and how to book.
Income must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. A household can get one grant per program year, which runs October 1 to September 30, and any fuel qualifies: electric, gas, propane, oil, coal or wood.
Grants almost always go straight to the utility. LIHEAP now includes cooling and can sometimes repair or replace an unsafe heating or cooling unit. State law (RCW 19.405.120) also makes electric utilities offer their own low-income help, so ask yours.
Source: Washington Commerce: LIHEAP
Pay for college or an apprenticeship with WA Grant
The Washington College Grant (WA Grant) is need-based aid for resident students of any age, apprentices included. For 2026-27, a family of four earning $83,500 or less gets a full award, about equal to free tuition at a public college.
Partial awards reach families of four earning up to $139,500. There is no deadline or separate application. Filing the FAFSA, or the state WASFA if you cannot or choose not to file a FAFSA, puts you in line automatically.
Undocumented students are eligible. The 2027-28 FAFSA and WASFA opened October 1, 2026; for 2026-27 forms, report the household income from your 2024 taxes.
Explore Washington program guides
Washington agency links
Helpful reading for Washington residents
SNAP Benefits by State 2026-27: Averages, Max + EBT Cards
SNAP benefits vary in three important ways from state to state. The first is the maximum allotment, fixed at $808 for a family of three in the 48 contiguous states and DC.
How Much Does TANF Pay in 2026? Payments and Income Limits by State
TANF pays by family size: a parent and one child can get up to $235 a month in Georgia and $331 in Texas. See 2026 maximum payments and income limits for all 50 states and DC.
LIHEAP Application Status: How to Check It Online in Your State (2026-27)
How to check your LIHEAP application status online or by phone, with official status links for 25 states, what each status means, and what to do if your application is stuck.
Washington assistance questions
Yes. The Department of Revenue accepts applications from people with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, including some filers who would meet federal EITC rules except that they use an ITIN.
Not always. Contributing in 3 of the past 6 years also earns the full benefit, and people born before 1968 earn a partial benefit after one year. You must also need help with at least three daily activities.
Washington Connection takes medical applications from people 65 or older, blind or disabled, plus Medicare Savings Programs. It sends children, pregnant people, parents and adults 18 to 64 to Washington Healthplanfinder.
SHIBA stands for Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors, the free, unbiased Medicare help program run by the Office of the Insurance Commissioner. Call the Insurance Consumer Hotline at 800-562-6900, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays, and ask to be connected with your local SHIBA office.
Once per program year, which runs October 1 through September 30. If you already got a grant this program year, you are not eligible again until the next one starts.
No. WSAC says the grant is available year-round and guaranteed to anyone who meets the requirements. Completing a FAFSA or WASFA is the only application.
Sources
- Washington DOR: Working Families Tax Credit
- WA Cares Fund: How it works
- Washington Commerce: LIHEAP
- Washington Commerce: Energy assistance for low-income households
- WSAC: WA Grant eligibility and awards
- WSAC: 2027-28 financial aid applications now open
- Washington Connection (DSHS)
- Washington OIC: SHIBA Medicare help
- Washington OIC: Contact us (hotline hours)
- DSHS: Basic Food
- KFF: Status of State Medicaid Expansion Decisions
Independent information for your research
GrantsHubUSA is not a government agency and does not process benefit applications. Confirm requirements with the official Washington sources.