How to Report Changes to SNAP in Washington State

If you receive SNAP (Basic Food) benefits in Washington State, you are required to report certain changes to the state agency that manages your case. Reporting changes on time can help you avoid overpayments, interruptions in benefits, or penalties.

This guide from HowToGetAssistance.org explains how to report changes to SNAP in Washington, what kinds of changes usually must be reported, typical deadlines, and where to go through official channels. This site is not a government office and cannot process changes or handle your case, but it can help you understand what to expect.

SNAP in Washington: The Basics

In Washington State, SNAP is usually called Basic Food. It is managed by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).

Basic Food helps eligible households buy groceries using an EBT card. Once you are approved, you have to keep your information up to date. That means letting DSHS know when important details about your household or income change.

Failing to report required changes can lead to:

• Overpayments that you may have to pay back
• Reduced or stopped benefits
• Possible penalties if the agency believes you withheld information on purpose

Why Reporting Changes Matters

SNAP/Basic Food benefits are based on:

• Household size
• Income
• Certain expenses (like rent, utilities, dependent care, or medical expenses for some people)
• Living situation and immigration status

When any of those factors change, your eligibility or benefit amount can change too. Reporting:

• Helps you avoid debt from overpayments
• Can sometimes increase your benefit if your income drops or your allowable expenses rise
• Keeps your case in good standing so recertification or reviews go more smoothly

Which Changes Do You Need to Report?

Washington typically has two kinds of reporting rules for SNAP/Basic Food:

1. Change Reporting
2. Simplified Reporting (Periodic Reporting)

Most households are under some form of simplified reporting, but your specific rules are listed in your approval notice and review letters. When in doubt, you can contact your local DSHS Community Services Office or the DSHS Customer Service Center to confirm what applies to you.

Below are common changes that people in Washington are often required to report.

Common Changes You May Need to Report

You typically need to report if:

• Someone moves in or out of your household
• There is a change in income, such as:
  • Starting or stopping a job
  • Significant increase or decrease in hours
  • Getting unemployment, disability, Social Security, or other new benefits
• Your immigration status or citizenship status changes
• You move or your mailing address changes
• Your rent or mortgage or utilities change significantly (especially if they drop)
• You start or stop paying child support, dependent care, or certain medical expenses that are counted for SNAP
• Anyone in your household is incarcerated, hospitalized long-term, or moves into a facility

For many simplified reporting households, income usually needs to be reported when it:

• Goes over a specific limit listed in your approval notice, or
• Changes so much that your household’s total gross income is above 130% of the federal poverty level (the notice or worker can tell you the dollar amount for your household size)

Because rules can change and may differ by household type, it is safest to:

• Read your most recent approval or review notice carefully, and
• Call DSHS or check your online account through the official state portal if you are not sure.

When Do You Have to Report Changes in Washington?

Your deadline to report depends on your reporting type and the type of change. Typical timeframes in Washington include:

• Within 10 days of when you learn about the change, for many required changes (especially for change-reporting households)
• At your next scheduled report (like a mid-certification review or eligibility review) for some simplified-reporting changes, unless:
  • Your household’s total income goes over a certain limit, or
  • Your notice specifically says the change must be reported sooner

You can usually find your reporting requirements and deadlines in:

• Your approval letter
• Change notices sent after you report something
• Review or recertification letters

If you’re unsure, you can:

• Call the DSHS Customer Service Center
• Visit or call your local Community Services Office
• Use the official Washington benefits portal (often called Washington Connection) to see messages and notices

How to Report Changes to SNAP in Washington

Washington State typically allows several options to report changes. You can choose what works best for you, as long as you use an official DSHS channel.

1. Online (Through the Official State Portal)

Many people report changes online using Washington’s official benefits portal (often called Washington Connection or through a linked DSHS account).

You can usually:

1. Log in to your account.
2. Go to your Basic Food / SNAP case.
3. Look for options like “Report a Change”, “Update Information,” or “Manage My Benefits.”
4. Enter your new information (such as updated income, address, or household members).
5. Upload documents if the portal allows it (like pay stubs or lease changes).
6. Review everything and submit.

The online system often lets you:

• See what information is on file
• Check if your report was received (often shown as a change report or message)

2. By Phone

You can usually report changes to SNAP/Basic Food in Washington by calling:

• The DSHS Customer Service Center (statewide number), or
• Your local Community Services Office

When you call, be ready to provide:

• Your name
• Date of birth
• Client ID or case number (if you have it)
• The details of the change (for example, new job, new address, new rent amount)

Ask the worker to:

• Repeat the reported change back to you, and
• Tell you if any documents are needed

You may need to send in verification after the call.

3. In Person at a Local Office

You can often report changes in person at a DSHS Community Services Office in your county or nearby area.

What to expect:

1. Check in at the front desk or kiosk.
2. Ask to report a change to your Basic Food/SNAP case.
3. Provide your information to a worker or on a form.
4. Hand in copies of documents that verify the change.

This option can be helpful if:

• You do not have reliable internet access
• You need help understanding what to report
• Your situation is complicated (multiple changes at once)

4. By Mail or Fax

DSHS may accept change reports and documents by mail or fax. This tends to be slower, so keep deadlines in mind.

If you report by mail or fax:

1. Include your name, Client ID/case number, and contact information on every page.
2. Clearly describe the change (what changed, when it changed, and how).
3. Include copies of supporting documents, not originals.
4. Send it to the address or fax number listed on your most recent DSHS notice or on the official DSHS materials.

If possible, keep:

• A copy of everything you send, and
• A mailing receipt or fax confirmation

Quick Comparison: Ways to Report Changes in Washington

What Documents Might Be Needed?

After you report a change, DSHS may ask you to verify it. Typical documents include:

• Income changes
  • Recent pay stubs (usually last 30 days)
  • Employer letter stating start date, hours, and pay rate
  • Termination letter or final pay stub if a job ended
• Household changes
  • Birth certificate or hospital record for a newborn
  • School or other records that show where the person lives (for children in some cases)
• Address, rent, or mortgage changes
  • Lease agreement or rental contract
  • Rent receipt or letter from your landlord
  • Mortgage statement
• Utility changes
  • Utility bills that show the type of service and cost
• Child support, dependent care, or medical expenses (for some households)
  • Receipts or bills
  • Court orders for child support
  • Statements from providers

If you are unsure what to send, you can:

• Ask the worker during your phone call or office visit, or
• Review the change notice or document request DSHS sends you

Submitting clear, complete copies the first time can reduce delays.

What Happens After You Report a Change?

After you report a change to Washington DSHS, the general process often looks like this:

1. The agency receives your report

   • Through the online portal, phone, mail, fax, or in person.

2. A worker reviews your case

   • They look at how the change affects your SNAP/Basic Food eligibility and benefit amount.

3. You may be asked for more information

   • If something is missing, they may send a request for information with a deadline.

4. Your benefits may change

   • If the change affects your benefits, DSHS will usually send a written notice explaining:
     • Your new benefit amount
     • When the change takes effect
     • The reason for the change
     • Your appeal rights if you disagree

5. You continue using your EBT card as normal

   • Benefit amounts may go up, down, or stay the same, depending on your situation.

If you do not receive a notice within a reasonable time, you can:

• Check your online account
• Call the Customer Service Center
• Contact your local Community Services Office

Common Issues and How to Avoid Delays

People often face delays or complications when reporting changes because of:

• Missing documents
• Unclear information in the change report
• Reporting after the deadline
• Not responding to requests for more information

To avoid problems:

• Report required changes as soon as you can, especially income changes that could put you over a limit.
• Write down or save confirmations:
  • Date and time of phone calls
  • Names of workers you speak with
  • Copies of forms or documents you submit
• Open and read all mail from DSHS promptly.
• Respond to any document requests by the deadline shown on the notice.

If you realize you missed a deadline, contact DSHS right away. Explaining the situation early can sometimes limit overpayments or other issues.

What If You Disagree With a Change to Your SNAP Benefits?

If, after reporting a change, you receive a notice that:

• Your benefits are going down or ending, or
• You believe the amount is incorrect

you usually have the right to ask for a fair hearing or appeal.

In Washington, that typically involves:

1. Reading the notice carefully

   • It should explain:
     • Why the benefit changed
     • The effective date
     • The deadline to request a hearing

2. Requesting a hearing by the deadline

   • This can often be done:
     • In writing (mail or fax)
     • Sometimes by phone or online, depending on instructions in your notice

3. Stating that you disagree with the decision

   • You do not need to use legal language; you can explain in simple terms what you think is wrong.

You may also:

• Ask if your benefits can continue at the previous level while the appeal is pending (this may create an overpayment if the decision is upheld, so ask about the risks).
• Seek help from legal aid organizations in Washington that assist with public benefits cases.

If You Don’t Qualify or Your Benefits Decrease

If a change makes you ineligible for Basic Food or causes your benefits to drop, you may want to:

• Ask DSHS if you still qualify for other programs, such as:
  • Cash assistance programs
  • Medical coverage like Apple Health (Washington’s Medicaid program)
• Call 211 for local referrals to:
  • Food banks and pantries
  • Community meal programs
  • Local charities and non-profits that help with groceries or bills

These options are separate from SNAP/Basic Food and have their own rules and application processes.

How to Make Sure You’re Using an Official Channel

Because SNAP and other benefits involve personal information, it is important to confirm you are dealing with the real state agency.

Here are some ways to check:

• Official Washington DSHS communication usually includes:
  • The DSHS name and logo
  • A state mailing address and official phone numbers
• When using an online portal:
  • Make sure it is clearly identified as an official Washington State or DSHS website.
  • Avoid entering your Social Security number or client ID on look-alike sites.
• When in doubt:
  • Call the DSHS Customer Service Center using a phone number from a recent official notice or from state government directories.
  • Ask a local Community Services Office to confirm the website or portal address.

Remember, HowToGetAssistance.org is not an official SNAP or DSHS website, cannot access your case, and cannot accept change reports. To update your SNAP/Basic Food case in Washington, you need to use DSHS offices, phone lines, or the official state benefits portal.

By understanding what changes to report, when to report them, and how to use Washington’s official channels, you can help keep your SNAP/Basic Food case accurate and avoid unexpected problems with your benefits.