Explore statewide and community-based resources for families with limited access to food, stable housing, transportation, child care, and other essentials.
Food
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Monthly food benefits program for qualifying low-income families in Washington. Phone: 877-501-2233
- Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program: Nutrition assistance program for qualifying low-income families with infants and children under the age of five. Phone: 1-800-841-1410
- Help Me Grow Washington and Washington 211: Resource navigation services that help families access and enroll for food resources in their local community, including free meals, food pantries, formula/baby food donations, and more.
- Feeding America Food Bank Directory: Search by zip code for food banks in your area.
- Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP): (for organizations only) a federally funded child nutrition program that reimburses nonresidential child and adult care facilities for nutritious meals and snacks served to children and adults who are enrolled in care. Phone: 360-725-6200
Housing
General Housing Supports:
- Pathways to Housing Navigation Tool: A helpful guide for learning about the various housing resources available in Washington state.
- Coordinated Entry Sites: Explore housing resources in-person with a Housing Coordinator by visiting your local Coordinated Entry site.
Housing Conditions:
- DOH Healthy Home Guide: A helpful resource for families exploring practical steps and supports for keeping their home safe and healthy.
- Washington State Low Income Home Weatherization Program: Provides insultation, ventilation, weather stripping, and other household upgrades and repairs to qualifying families. Phone: 360-725-2857
Supportive Living and Special Accommodations:
- Pathways to Housing Navigation Tool: Lists various supportive housing services and resources for individuals with complex physical/behavioral health needs, individuals with a conviction history, and youth involved in the justice system.
- Individuals can learn more about sober living and SUD recovery residences through Oxford House and the WAQRR Certified Recovery Housing directory.
Rent Assistance and Affordable Housing:
- DSHS Housing Assistance Guide: Shares information about affordable housing options, including Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8), subsidized housing, and Habitat for Humanity resources.
- Help Me Grow Washington and Washington 211: Resource navigation services that help families with access and enrollment in housing and rent/mortgage assistance programs in their local community.
Domestic/Intimate Partner Violence:
- Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WSCADV): Provides a list of Domestic Violence Shelters and Intimate Partner Violence support services across all Washington State Counties.
- Individuals can also seek help by visiting the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Phone: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
Homelessness Prevention and Re-Housing Services:
- DSHS Housing Assistance Guide: Shares information about housing programs that can help families prevent or exit homelessness including the Housing and Essential Needs (HEN) program, the Foundational Community Supports program, and more.
- Families with immediate need can learn more about shelter services at Washington Homeless Shelters, Domestic Violence Emergency Shelters and Services, and Youth/Young Adult Housing and Shelter programs.
Utilities
- Washington Connection - DSHS Resource Directory: Learn more about housing and utility assistance resources including the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), utility discount programs, and low-cost internet services.
- Help Me Grow Washington and Washington 211: Resource navigation services that help families with access and enrollment in utility, telephone, and internet assistance programs in their local community.
Communication
- Federal Lifeline Program and Xfinity Internet Essentials: Discounted phone and internet services for qualifying low-income families.
- Washington Libraries Directory: Many libraries offer free/low-cost computer and wi-fi, printing services, and additional supports to community members.
- Telecommunication Equipment Distribution and Telecommunication Relay Services: Free/Low-cost specialized telecommunication equipment and telecommunication services for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Late-Deafened, and DeafBlind individuals.
- Help Me Grow Washington and Washington 211: Resource navigation services that help families with access and enrollment in utility, telephone, and internet assistance programs in their local community.
Child Care and Child Development
- DCYF Child Care/Early Learning Portal: Learn about child care and early learning programs in Washington State available to low-income families including Working Connections Child Care, the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP), and Head Start preschools.
- Child Care Aware of Washington: Database of licensed child care providers that can be filtered to match specific locations, hours, rates, and types of care. Offers fee assistance for low-income families, military families, and families experiencing homelessness.
- Help Me Grow Washington: Navigation services for accessing and enrollment in affordable child development resources, early learning programs, play and learn groups, and other caregiver support services.
- OSPI Special Education: Information and support for families seeking special education resources for their children. Phone: 360-725-6075
Employment, Income, and Legal Support
- WorkSource Washington: Support services for individuals seeking career and apprenticeship opportunities, workshops and hiring events, resume and cover letter support, and various employment training programs.
- Washington Connection - DSHS Resource Directory:
- Cash and Financial resources for accessing various cash assistance, benefits, and tax credit programs. Includes the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program (Phone: 877-501-2233) and Social Security Benefits. Families can visit MyWABenefits to review benefits programs they are currently enrolled in.
- Legal Help services for low-income, refugee, and immigrant families seeking free, low-cost, and sliding scale legal assistance.
- Veterans resources including veterans benefits, employment assistance, resources for military spouses, and more.
- Community Services Office (CSO) Directory: In-person and online referral assistance for accessing various cash assistance and Washington State benefits programs.
- Help Me Grow Washington and Washington 211: Resource navigation services that help families access and enroll for employment, financial, and legal resources in their local community.
- GED Testing and Basic Education for Adults Classes: Low-cost GED-preparation classes and testing centers across the state.
- Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR): Statewide resource that assists people with disabilities prepare for, secure, maintain, advance in, or regain employment.
- Money Management International: Free credit counseling and debt-management counseling services for families experiencing debt, credit, or household budget challenges. (See U.S. Department of Justice Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Information for individuals considering filing for bankruptcy).
- IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program: Free tax filing services for qualifying low-income families.
- Washington State Division of Child Support: Enroll for child support services and make child support payments.
Health Care
- You and Your Family, DOH Resource Directory: Various family health resources including wellness programs, mobile health clinics, services for infants, children, and youth, and more.
- Help Me Grow Washington: Provides support with accessing affordable health insurance, free and low-cost community health clinics, mental and behavioral health services, benefits coverage, preventative care, and more.
- Washington Connection - DSHS Resource Directory: List of healthcare resources and programs in Washington State, including the Washington Health Plan Finder (Phone:1-855-923-4633) and Washington Apple Health for Kids (Phone: 206-204-3503). Lists helplines and crisis intervention services, health care programs for workers with disabilities, medical transportation services, and low-cost dental coverage.
Transportation
- Help Me Grow Washington and Washington 211: Resource navigation services that help families access and enroll in transportation assistance programs in their local community, including gas assistance, bus fare, and various transportation programs.
- Washington State Health Care Authority: Nonemergency transportation services for eligible clients who cannot otherwise access their health appointments.
Pregnancy and Baby Essentials
- Help Me Grow Washington: Helps pregnant mothers and families with young children connect to resources in their community, including affordable breastfeeding supplies, doula resources, nurse home-visiting programs, diaper donations, prenatal support, and more.
- Perinatal Support Washington: Support groups, new parent resources, and mental health services with free, sliding scale, and insurance options for families at various income levels.