Additional Benefits with Basic Food

Additional Benefits with Basic Food

Added Benefits with Basic Food Basic Food Employment & Training (BFET) WIC Lifeline - Free Cell Phone Program Farmers Markets EBT Incentive Programs Direct Certification for Free/Reducedprice School Meals Orca Lift (King County Specific) Assistance obtaining an ID Card

BFET Basic Food Employment & Training Visit the DSHS BFET website to access more information on participating BFET providers in your area: https://www.dshs.wa.gov/esa/community-partnershipprogram/basic-food-employment-training-bfet BFET provides employment readiness opportunities to Basic Food (SNAP) recipients who are not participating in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) WorkFirst program. Services are provided through all community & technical colleges and/or community based organizations (CBO). Possible BFET Services include: Assessment Case Management Job Readiness Training Basic Education Vocational Training Job Search Assistance Job Placement Participant Reinbursements (possible support with: transportation, child care, housing, clothing, skill/wage progression)

WIC Women, Infants and Children Helps pregnant women, new mothers, and young children eat well, learn about nutrition and stay healthy. Applicants can be determined income-eligible for WIC based on their participation in Basic Food Call the Family Health Hotline at 1-800-322-2588 for a referral to your local WIC clinic

A federal program that provides a monthly benefit on a wireless phone to eligible households. If your household s income is at or below 135% of the FPL guidelines you may be eligible. Lifeline Free Cell Phone Program If you are receiving Basic Food benefits you can request an award letter from DSHS to use as verification of your eligibility for the program. You can apply for the Lifeline benefit directly through a participating phone company in your area. Additional info, including participating providers, can be accessed online: http://www.lifelinesupport.org/ls/

Farmers markets throughout the state offer incentive programs. If you use SNAP/EBT, you can get bonus savings on fresh fruits and vegetables at participating locations. Farmers Markets EBT Incentive Programs Visit your local farmers market s information booth and inquire about the Fresh Bucks program in King County. You can also locate participating farmers markets in various areas throughout the state via the Washington State Farmers Market Association website: http://wafarmersmarkets.org/ebtmatch/

Direct Certification for free or reduced-price school meals Washington State uses data provided by DSHS to identify Basic Food, TANF, and Foster Care Children as automatically eligible for free school meals, this data matching process is known as direct certification. This eliminates the need for completion of the free or reduced-price meal application. Clients with school aged children can direct certify by enrolling in Basic Food. Schools will verify enrollments with DSHS several times annually, but clients can also notify the school if they were recently enrolled in benefits. Note: Clients must be approved for a $ amount on their EBT to direct certify for school meals.

Orca Lift Reduced-Fare Bus Pass King County King County Metro has a reduced fare program called ORCA LIFT for people whose households are income eligible, at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. Basic Food recipients can automatically qualify for an Orca Lift card with proof of ID. You can apply in person at an authorized enrollment site. Call the Family Health Hotline to be directed to an enrollment site near you, 1-800-322-2588.

Assistance obtaining/replacing an ID card If you are receiving public assistance, you may be eligible for an ID card at a reduced cost. Ask your DSHS caseworker to fill out form 16-029 Request for Identicard.