Emergency Assistance Program Activated
Residents of Washington state who have been affected by recent flooding incidents are now eligible to apply for immediate financial support through the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).
Funding and Eligibility
Governor Bob Ferguson has issued a revised proclamation that allows DSHS to access $1 million in Disaster Cash Assistance Program (DCAP) funds. This temporary program is specifically designed for individuals who do not qualify for other cash assistance programs.
The assistance is available to residents in the following counties: Benton, Chelan, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, King, Kittitas, Lewis, Pacific, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston, Yakima, and Whatcom.
Application Details
The application period runs from December 17 to January 15, 2026. Both families and individuals without children may apply if they meet the program's location, income, and resource requirements.
"We are doing everything we can as a state to support people through this crisis," Gov. Bob Ferguson said. "This is one part of that work. We will bring more state resources online in the coming days as we continue to work toward federal relief."
DCAP does not require applicants to provide citizenship status or a Social Security number.
Benefit Amounts and Distribution
Assistance amounts vary based on household size, income, and need, ranging from up to $450 for a single person to a maximum of $1,662 for households with ten or more members.
Approved recipients will receive benefits on their existing EBT cards. For those newly eligible, DSHS can issue new EBT cards through local Community Services Offices or by mail.
Application Process
Applicants must complete both an application and an interview. This can be done by calling the Customer Service Contact Center at 877-501-2233 or visiting a local Community Services Office.
To begin online, individuals can submit an application at WashingtonConnection.org and then call to complete the required interview. Note that call volumes may be higher due to the recent weather event.
