Start Here

Please note. This guide shares general information only. It is not legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Laws vary by state and city. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed professional.

Hi friend. I'm really glad you found this guide. Whatever brought you here, a late rent notice, a hard night, or helping someone you love, you don't have to figure it all out alone.

This is the first of 14 Washington guides. It covers the big statewide programs, the numbers worth saving in your phone, and a simple plan for your first hour. The other guides go deeper on shelter, housing, food, health, safety, legal help and more.

A few things to know

• You choose. Use what feels right for you and skip anything that doesn't.
• Each place decides who it can serve. We share what each place says it offers and how to reach it. We can't promise money, a bed or a spot in any program.
• This guide shares general information, not legal or medical advice.
• Hours and details change. Call ahead when you can.

If you only remember three numbers

• 911. Any danger right now, a medical emergency or a fire.
• 988. Call or text if you or someone you love is in crisis or thinking about suicide. Veterans can press 1. The 988 Lifeline also offers chat at 988lifeline.org. Source (As of October 21, 2026): https://988lifeline.org/
• 211. Dial 211 to reach Washington 211, a real person who can point you to housing, food, utility and other local help in every county. You can also search at wa211.org. Source (As of October 21, 2026): https://wa211.org/

What is Washington 211?

Washington 211 is the statewide information and referral line. Trained specialists help people find local programs for housing, shelter, food, utilities, health care, legal help and more.

It's run by regional call centers that cover every county. Source (As of October 21, 2026): https://wa211.org/

• Dial 211 from most phones. If 211 doesn't connect, search wa211.org.
• Ask them to text or email you the list of places they give you.
• In King County, 211 also helps people reach legal aid referrals. Source (As of October 21, 2026): https://nwjustice.org/clear-hotline/

BUNKLY TIP

Call back if a line is busy

Lines can be busiest on Monday mornings. Try mid morning later in the week, and keep trying. Help is there!

How do I apply for food, cash and other help from DSHS?

The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) runs Community Services Offices across the state. They handle Basic Food (SNAP), cash help like TANF, ABD and the Pregnant Women Assistance program, and some emergency help.

Source (As of October 21, 2026): https://www.dshs.wa.gov/office-locations

• Apply online at Washington Connection, washingtonconnection.org. You can apply for several programs with one application. Source (As of October 21, 2026): https://www.washingtonconnection.org/
• Or call the DSHS Customer Service Contact Center at 877.501.2233. Source (As of October 21, 2026): https://www.dshs.wa.gov/family-food-and-housing-services/food-assistance/basic-food-benefits
• Or visit a Community Services Office near you. Use the office finder on the DSHS site.
• If you have very little money for food, ask about expedited Basic Food, which can come within days.

How do I get health coverage?

Apple Health is Washington's Medicaid program. It covers many adults, kids, pregnant people and older adults with low incomes.

Apply through Washington Healthplanfinder online or by phone at 855.923.4633. Source (As of October 21, 2026): https://www.wahealthplanfinder.org/

• Apple Health for Kids covers children in families with a range of incomes.
• Older adults and people with disabilities may apply through Washington Connection.
• See Guide 7, Health and Mental Health, for clinics, mental health and recovery help.

What other money help might I qualify for?

• Working Families Tax Credit. Washington's own tax credit for people with low and moderate incomes who file a federal tax return. You apply on the state's website after you file. Source (As of October 21, 2026): https://workingfamiliescredit.wa.gov/
• Unemployment benefits. If you lost your job through no fault of your own, apply with the Employment Security Department. Source (As of October 21, 2026): https://esd.wa.gov/
• Paid Family and Medical Leave. Washington's program can pay part of your wages when you need time off for a serious health condition, a new child, or a family member's care. Source (As of October 21, 2026): https://paidleave.wa.gov/
• Energy help. Ask 211 about LIHEAP and your utility's discount programs. See Guide 3.

Asking for help is a brave thing to do. You deserve support, and it's out there.

From the Bunklow team

How do I stay safe while I get help?

• If someone is hurting you, call the Washington State Domestic Violence Hotline at 800.562.6025 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800.799.7233. See Guide 8.
• If you think a child is being abused or neglected, call DCYF at 866.363.4276. Source (As of October 21, 2026): https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/safety/report-abuse
• Watch out for scams. Real agencies won't ask you to pay with gift cards. Report scams to the Washington Attorney General at 800.551.4636. Source (As of October 21, 2026): https://www.atg.wa.gov/consumer-protection
• Never share your EBT card PIN or your Social Security number by text.

How do I get around?

Getting to appointments costs money. Washington has reduced fare options that can help.

• ORCA LIFT. A reduced transit fare in the Puget Sound region for people with lower incomes. It works on King County Metro, Sound Transit, Community Transit, Everett Transit, Pierce Transit and Kitsap Transit. Source (As of October 21, 2026): https://www.myorca.com/
• Reduced fares for older adults and people with disabilities. The Regional Reduced Fare Permit lowers fares for riders 65 and older, people with disabilities and Medicare card holders. Source (As of October 21, 2026): https://www.myorca.com/
• Spokane Transit, C-TRAN in Clark County and other systems have their own reduced fare programs. Ask your local transit agency.
• Apple Health covers rides to covered medical appointments for people who have no other way to get there. Call the number on your Apple Health card or ask your plan. Source (As of October 21, 2026): https://www.hca.wa.gov/apple-health

Help for older adults and people with disabilities

• Area Agencies on Aging help older adults and caregivers with meals, in home care, caregiver support and benefits counseling. Find yours through the Community Living Connections line at 855.567.0252. Source (As of October 21, 2026): https://www.waclc.org/
• DSHS Home and Community Services helps people who need long term care at home or in the community. Source (As of October 21, 2026): https://www.dshs.wa.gov/home-and-community-living-administration
• SHIBA, the Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors, helps people understand Medicare. Call 800.562.6900. Source (As of October 21, 2026): https://www.insurance.wa.gov/shiba
• If you think an adult who is vulnerable is being abused, neglected or exploited, call Adult Protective Services at 877.734.6277. Source (As of October 21, 2026): https://www.dshs.wa.gov/adult-and-aging-services/report-abuse-and-neglect/adult-protective-services

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Bring a helper

It's okay to bring a friend or family member to appointments. Two sets of ears catch more!

Help with child care

Working Connections Child Care helps eligible families who are working or in approved activities pay for child care. It's run by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), and you can apply through Washington Connection. Source (As of October 21, 2026): https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/services/earlylearning-childcare/getting-help/wccc

• Child Care Aware of Washington can help you find licensed child care. Call 800.446.1114. Source (As of October 21, 2026): https://childcareawarewa.org/
• Washington's Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) and Head Start offer preschool for eligible families.

Help if you're new to Washington or an immigrant

• Many programs serve people regardless of immigration status, including emergency shelter, food banks and Apple Health for Kids.
• The Northwest Immigrant Rights Project gives legal help on immigration. Call 800.445.5771. Source (As of October 21, 2026): https://ocla.wa.gov/find-legal-help
• Ask any program how your information will be used before you share it. You can also talk with an immigration legal help group first.

What are the 14 guides?

Each guide covers one topic in depth, with steps, scripts, checklists and county resources. Here's the full set.

• Guide 1. Start Here.
• Guide 2. Emergency Shelter Tonight.
• Guide 3. Housing Help.
• Guide 4. Food.
• Guide 5. Clothing and Hygiene.
• Guide 6. Jobs and Job Training.
• Guide 7. Health and Mental Health.
• Guide 8. Domestic Violence Safety and Housing.
• Guide 9. Veterans.
• Guide 10. Youth and Young Adults.
• Guide 11. Getting ID and Documents Back.
• Guide 12. Phones and Internet.
• Guide 13. Legal and Tenant Help.
• Guide 14. How to Make Blessing Bags.

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Share it

Know someone who could use this? Share the guide with them. It might be exactly what they need today!

Questions people ask a lot

Who can I call in my county?

The places below are grouped from statewide help down to county help. Washington has 39 counties, and we list some of the largest.

If your county isn't here, dial 211, and they'll connect you to help where you live.

Washington crisis and safety lines

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Washington programs

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Help for older adults and caregivers

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

King County (Seattle)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Pierce County (Tacoma)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Snohomish County (Everett)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Spokane County (Spokane)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Clark County (Vancouver)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Thurston County (Olympia)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Kitsap County (Bremerton)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Yakima County (Yakima)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Whatcom County (Bellingham)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Benton and Franklin Counties (Tri-Cities)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

My first steps plan

Fill this in with a pen, or snap a photo and keep it on your phone. You've got this!

My appointments and notes

Keep track of where you need to be and what people told you. Bring this page to every appointment.

Key numbers to keep

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Please let me know if you have any questions

If something here is out of date, tell us and we'll fix it. Make it a great day, friend!

About this guide

Made by the Bunklow team. No sign up. Please share it with anyone who could use it. We don't run these programs. We don't manage properties. We list what each place says it offers and how to reach it, and you decide what to use. This is not a full list of every place that can help. Every source was checked on October 21, 2026. If something has changed, please tell us so we can fix it. We are always happy to hear from you!

Please note. This guide shares general information only. It is not legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Laws vary by state and city. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed professional.

Affordable living. Simplified

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Last updated October 21, 2026