Washington EBT Deposit Schedule for 2025

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Knowing when your EBT benefits will arrive is important for planning your grocery trips. For families in Washington, having this date helps you budget effectively and keep your kitchen stocked without any guesswork.

In this guide, you'll find your Washington EBT deposit schedule and learn what to do if your benefits don't show up on time.

Monthly EBT Deposit Schedule in Washington

In Washington, your SNAP (Basic Food) deposit date is not determined by your case number or Social Security number. Instead, the state assigns a permanent payment day to your household when your application is first approved, and this date remains the same each month.

Your benefits will arrive on your assigned day, which falls between the 1st and the 20th of the month. To find your specific deposit date, you can check the approval notice you received or look up your benefit details through your Washington Connection online account.

You can also get the date by calling the DSHS Customer Service Contact Center at 1-877-501-2233 or by asking staff at a local Community Services Office.

Cash assistance programs like TANF/WorkFirst follow a different schedule. These benefits are loaded onto your EBT card on the 1st of the month. If you have direct deposit, funds are sent to your bank on the first business day of the month.

Both SNAP and cash funds are usually available by 6 a.m. Pacific Time on your payment day. The state’s EBT manual confirms any unused benefits will roll over to the next month.

How to Check Your EBT Deposit Status in Washington

Once your deposit day arrives, you can confirm the funds are available in a few different ways. For a complete list of options, see our guide on how to check your EBT balance in Washington.

Here are three of the most convenient ways to check your balance:

Use the Benny app for an instant balance update for both your food and cash accounts. The app also provides cashback on eligible EBT purchases. After you download the app, add your EBT card number and PIN, then verify your phone number to see your balance.
Visit the official Washington EBT portal at ebtEDGE.com. After you create an account with your card details, you can view your real-time SNAP and TANF balances. The site also lets you review recent transactions and freeze your card if it gets lost.
Call the 24-hour automated customer service line at 1-888-328-9271. After you select your language, the system will prompt you for your 16-digit card number and PIN. It will then read your current food and cash balances aloud over the phone.

Check Your SNAP & EBT Cash Balance In Real Time

Download the app

Why Your EBT Deposit Might Be Late and What to Do

Several factors can cause your EBT deposit to arrive later than scheduled.

Administrative or Eligibility Snags

If your application or review paperwork is missing documents, contains errors, or is still waiting for a caseworker to verify it, your benefits will be held. High caseloads and simple data-entry mistakes can also contribute to these delays, preventing the system from releasing funds until your case is fully processed and cleared.

System Maintenance or Outages

The state's eligibility and EBT processing systems sometimes go offline for scheduled IT upgrades or experience unexpected technical glitches. During these periods, all automatic benefit issuances are paused across the state until the systems are back online and fully operational, causing a temporary delay.

Weekends and Holidays

When your regular deposit date lands on a weekend or a federal or state holiday, the transaction is automatically postponed. Your benefits will instead be issued on the following business day, which can make the deposit seem late even though the process is working as intended.

Fraud and Security Holds

In response to card-skimming and other fraudulent activities, DSHS may place a temporary freeze on an account. If suspicious activity is detected, deposits can be delayed while the department investigates the issue, replaces the card, or reprocesses any stolen benefits, interrupting the normal payment cycle.

Do EBT Benefits Expire or Roll Over?

Unused Basic Food and cash assistance benefits carry over each month. Your funds remain available as long as you use your card. If an account has no activity for 274 consecutive days, the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) will cancel the entire remaining balance.

To prevent cancellation, you must complete at least one transaction within the 274-day window. Any purchase, withdrawal, or balance inquiry made with your card and PIN resets the inactivity clock. DSHS also closes accounts if it confirms all household members are deceased.

For single-person households, access is suspended if the corrections system reports an incarceration of more than 30 days. You must contact DSHS within 48 hours of your release to reactivate the card. This action prevents the 274-day countdown from expiring while you are unable to use the account.

Canceled Basic Food benefits cannot be replaced. However, you can reclaim canceled cash assistance. You have two years from the cancellation date to request a reissuance from DSHS. After that period, you must contact the State Treasurer to claim the funds.

Check Your EBT Balance & Get Cashback On SNAP

Download the app

What to Do if Your EBT Balance Runs Out Early

Running out of EBT benefits before the end of the month is a stressful and unfortunately common situation. When your balance is zero and your next deposit is still weeks away, it can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, there are several immediate steps you can take to bridge the gap.

Find Free Groceries and Meals Now

Use statewide locators to find free groceries and meals right away. You can visit Washington 211 or call 211 and filter for “Food—pantries” or “Meals—free” to see what is available today.

Listings cover mobile markets, church meal programs, and EFAP sites across all 39 counties. Many locations offer drive-through service and do not require you to show your current SNAP balance.

If you need a larger, multi-day food box, use the DSHS Office Locator to find your nearest Community Services Office. Most offices partner with food programs, but it is a good idea to call first. An ID and proof of address are usually all that is required.

Apply for Additional or Recalculated Benefits

You may be able to receive emergency Basic Food for same-week help. You can also ask DSHS to recalculate your regular benefit amount if your household's situation has changed.

For expedited service, you will need to provide specific documentation. You must also file an application and clearly request expedited processing.

Gather a photo ID. You will also need proof your household has under $150 in gross income and under $100 in resources, or that your housing costs are higher than your income and cash.
File a Basic Food application online, by calling 877-501-2233, or in person at a CSO. Staff must screen you the same day and issue benefits within seven calendar days.

To have your ongoing allotment re-evaluated, you should report any changes as soon as they happen.

Log in to Washington Connection or call 877-501-2233 to “Report a change.” Upload proof like a layoff notice or higher rent receipt.
DSHS will recalculate your benefits. If the change increases your allotment, the higher amount starts the month after they receive the proof.

Replace Stolen EBT Cash Benefits

You can have EBT cash benefits restored if they were lost to card skimming. These restored funds can then cover groceries at places that allow cash transactions, like farm stands or corner stores.

If you notice unauthorized cash withdrawals from your Quest card on or after July 1, 2024, you must submit the “DSHS Claim of Stolen EBT Benefits” form within 30 days of discovering the loss.

You can file the claim by phone at 877-501-2233, by mail, or in person at a Community Services Office. DSHS will investigate and may restore some or all of the stolen cash to your EBT account.

Track Your EBT Balance and Earn Cashback with Benny

Benny is a free app that lets you check your EBT balance in real time and get cash back on eligible purchases at stores like Target, Walmart, Kroger, and Costco. To begin, link your EBT card to the app. After you make a purchase, scan your receipt with Benny to receive cashback for SNAP-eligible items.

Download Benny to take control of your budget and get more from your EBT benefits.

SHARE

Knowing when your EBT benefits will arrive is important for planning your grocery trips. For families in Washington, having this date helps you budget effectively and keep your kitchen stocked without any guesswork.

In this guide, you'll find your Washington EBT deposit schedule and learn what to do if your benefits don't show up on time.

Monthly EBT Deposit Schedule in Washington

In Washington, your SNAP (Basic Food) deposit date is not determined by your case number or Social Security number. Instead, the state assigns a permanent payment day to your household when your application is first approved, and this date remains the same each month.

Your benefits will arrive on your assigned day, which falls between the 1st and the 20th of the month. To find your specific deposit date, you can check the approval notice you received or look up your benefit details through your Washington Connection online account.

You can also get the date by calling the DSHS Customer Service Contact Center at 1-877-501-2233 or by asking staff at a local Community Services Office.

Cash assistance programs like TANF/WorkFirst follow a different schedule. These benefits are loaded onto your EBT card on the 1st of the month. If you have direct deposit, funds are sent to your bank on the first business day of the month.

Both SNAP and cash funds are usually available by 6 a.m. Pacific Time on your payment day. The state’s EBT manual confirms any unused benefits will roll over to the next month.

How to Check Your EBT Deposit Status in Washington

Once your deposit day arrives, you can confirm the funds are available in a few different ways. For a complete list of options, see our guide on how to check your EBT balance in Washington.

Here are three of the most convenient ways to check your balance:

Use the Benny app for an instant balance update for both your food and cash accounts. The app also provides cashback on eligible EBT purchases. After you download the app, add your EBT card number and PIN, then verify your phone number to see your balance.
Visit the official Washington EBT portal at ebtEDGE.com. After you create an account with your card details, you can view your real-time SNAP and TANF balances. The site also lets you review recent transactions and freeze your card if it gets lost.
Call the 24-hour automated customer service line at 1-888-328-9271. After you select your language, the system will prompt you for your 16-digit card number and PIN. It will then read your current food and cash balances aloud over the phone.

Check Your SNAP & EBT Cash Balance In Real Time

Download the app

Why Your EBT Deposit Might Be Late and What to Do

Several factors can cause your EBT deposit to arrive later than scheduled.

Administrative or Eligibility Snags

If your application or review paperwork is missing documents, contains errors, or is still waiting for a caseworker to verify it, your benefits will be held. High caseloads and simple data-entry mistakes can also contribute to these delays, preventing the system from releasing funds until your case is fully processed and cleared.

System Maintenance or Outages

The state's eligibility and EBT processing systems sometimes go offline for scheduled IT upgrades or experience unexpected technical glitches. During these periods, all automatic benefit issuances are paused across the state until the systems are back online and fully operational, causing a temporary delay.

Weekends and Holidays

When your regular deposit date lands on a weekend or a federal or state holiday, the transaction is automatically postponed. Your benefits will instead be issued on the following business day, which can make the deposit seem late even though the process is working as intended.

Fraud and Security Holds

In response to card-skimming and other fraudulent activities, DSHS may place a temporary freeze on an account. If suspicious activity is detected, deposits can be delayed while the department investigates the issue, replaces the card, or reprocesses any stolen benefits, interrupting the normal payment cycle.

Do EBT Benefits Expire or Roll Over?

Unused Basic Food and cash assistance benefits carry over each month. Your funds remain available as long as you use your card. If an account has no activity for 274 consecutive days, the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) will cancel the entire remaining balance.

To prevent cancellation, you must complete at least one transaction within the 274-day window. Any purchase, withdrawal, or balance inquiry made with your card and PIN resets the inactivity clock. DSHS also closes accounts if it confirms all household members are deceased.

For single-person households, access is suspended if the corrections system reports an incarceration of more than 30 days. You must contact DSHS within 48 hours of your release to reactivate the card. This action prevents the 274-day countdown from expiring while you are unable to use the account.

Canceled Basic Food benefits cannot be replaced. However, you can reclaim canceled cash assistance. You have two years from the cancellation date to request a reissuance from DSHS. After that period, you must contact the State Treasurer to claim the funds.

Check Your EBT Balance & Get Cashback On SNAP

Download the app

What to Do if Your EBT Balance Runs Out Early

Running out of EBT benefits before the end of the month is a stressful and unfortunately common situation. When your balance is zero and your next deposit is still weeks away, it can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, there are several immediate steps you can take to bridge the gap.

Find Free Groceries and Meals Now

Use statewide locators to find free groceries and meals right away. You can visit Washington 211 or call 211 and filter for “Food—pantries” or “Meals—free” to see what is available today.

Listings cover mobile markets, church meal programs, and EFAP sites across all 39 counties. Many locations offer drive-through service and do not require you to show your current SNAP balance.

If you need a larger, multi-day food box, use the DSHS Office Locator to find your nearest Community Services Office. Most offices partner with food programs, but it is a good idea to call first. An ID and proof of address are usually all that is required.

Apply for Additional or Recalculated Benefits

You may be able to receive emergency Basic Food for same-week help. You can also ask DSHS to recalculate your regular benefit amount if your household's situation has changed.

For expedited service, you will need to provide specific documentation. You must also file an application and clearly request expedited processing.

Gather a photo ID. You will also need proof your household has under $150 in gross income and under $100 in resources, or that your housing costs are higher than your income and cash.
File a Basic Food application online, by calling 877-501-2233, or in person at a CSO. Staff must screen you the same day and issue benefits within seven calendar days.

To have your ongoing allotment re-evaluated, you should report any changes as soon as they happen.

Log in to Washington Connection or call 877-501-2233 to “Report a change.” Upload proof like a layoff notice or higher rent receipt.
DSHS will recalculate your benefits. If the change increases your allotment, the higher amount starts the month after they receive the proof.

Replace Stolen EBT Cash Benefits

You can have EBT cash benefits restored if they were lost to card skimming. These restored funds can then cover groceries at places that allow cash transactions, like farm stands or corner stores.

If you notice unauthorized cash withdrawals from your Quest card on or after July 1, 2024, you must submit the “DSHS Claim of Stolen EBT Benefits” form within 30 days of discovering the loss.

You can file the claim by phone at 877-501-2233, by mail, or in person at a Community Services Office. DSHS will investigate and may restore some or all of the stolen cash to your EBT account.

Track Your EBT Balance and Earn Cashback with Benny

Benny is a free app that lets you check your EBT balance in real time and get cash back on eligible purchases at stores like Target, Walmart, Kroger, and Costco. To begin, link your EBT card to the app. After you make a purchase, scan your receipt with Benny to receive cashback for SNAP-eligible items.

Download Benny to take control of your budget and get more from your EBT benefits.

SHARE

Knowing when your EBT benefits will arrive is important for planning your grocery trips. For families in Washington, having this date helps you budget effectively and keep your kitchen stocked without any guesswork.

In this guide, you'll find your Washington EBT deposit schedule and learn what to do if your benefits don't show up on time.

Monthly EBT Deposit Schedule in Washington

In Washington, your SNAP (Basic Food) deposit date is not determined by your case number or Social Security number. Instead, the state assigns a permanent payment day to your household when your application is first approved, and this date remains the same each month.

Your benefits will arrive on your assigned day, which falls between the 1st and the 20th of the month. To find your specific deposit date, you can check the approval notice you received or look up your benefit details through your Washington Connection online account.

You can also get the date by calling the DSHS Customer Service Contact Center at 1-877-501-2233 or by asking staff at a local Community Services Office.

Cash assistance programs like TANF/WorkFirst follow a different schedule. These benefits are loaded onto your EBT card on the 1st of the month. If you have direct deposit, funds are sent to your bank on the first business day of the month.

Both SNAP and cash funds are usually available by 6 a.m. Pacific Time on your payment day. The state’s EBT manual confirms any unused benefits will roll over to the next month.

How to Check Your EBT Deposit Status in Washington

Once your deposit day arrives, you can confirm the funds are available in a few different ways. For a complete list of options, see our guide on how to check your EBT balance in Washington.

Here are three of the most convenient ways to check your balance:

Use the Benny app for an instant balance update for both your food and cash accounts. The app also provides cashback on eligible EBT purchases. After you download the app, add your EBT card number and PIN, then verify your phone number to see your balance.
Visit the official Washington EBT portal at ebtEDGE.com. After you create an account with your card details, you can view your real-time SNAP and TANF balances. The site also lets you review recent transactions and freeze your card if it gets lost.
Call the 24-hour automated customer service line at 1-888-328-9271. After you select your language, the system will prompt you for your 16-digit card number and PIN. It will then read your current food and cash balances aloud over the phone.

Check Your SNAP & EBT Cash Balance In Real Time

Download the app

Why Your EBT Deposit Might Be Late and What to Do

Several factors can cause your EBT deposit to arrive later than scheduled.

Administrative or Eligibility Snags

If your application or review paperwork is missing documents, contains errors, or is still waiting for a caseworker to verify it, your benefits will be held. High caseloads and simple data-entry mistakes can also contribute to these delays, preventing the system from releasing funds until your case is fully processed and cleared.

System Maintenance or Outages

The state's eligibility and EBT processing systems sometimes go offline for scheduled IT upgrades or experience unexpected technical glitches. During these periods, all automatic benefit issuances are paused across the state until the systems are back online and fully operational, causing a temporary delay.

Weekends and Holidays

When your regular deposit date lands on a weekend or a federal or state holiday, the transaction is automatically postponed. Your benefits will instead be issued on the following business day, which can make the deposit seem late even though the process is working as intended.

Fraud and Security Holds

In response to card-skimming and other fraudulent activities, DSHS may place a temporary freeze on an account. If suspicious activity is detected, deposits can be delayed while the department investigates the issue, replaces the card, or reprocesses any stolen benefits, interrupting the normal payment cycle.

Do EBT Benefits Expire or Roll Over?

Unused Basic Food and cash assistance benefits carry over each month. Your funds remain available as long as you use your card. If an account has no activity for 274 consecutive days, the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) will cancel the entire remaining balance.

To prevent cancellation, you must complete at least one transaction within the 274-day window. Any purchase, withdrawal, or balance inquiry made with your card and PIN resets the inactivity clock. DSHS also closes accounts if it confirms all household members are deceased.

For single-person households, access is suspended if the corrections system reports an incarceration of more than 30 days. You must contact DSHS within 48 hours of your release to reactivate the card. This action prevents the 274-day countdown from expiring while you are unable to use the account.

Canceled Basic Food benefits cannot be replaced. However, you can reclaim canceled cash assistance. You have two years from the cancellation date to request a reissuance from DSHS. After that period, you must contact the State Treasurer to claim the funds.

Check Your EBT Balance & Get Cashback On SNAP

Download the app

What to Do if Your EBT Balance Runs Out Early

Running out of EBT benefits before the end of the month is a stressful and unfortunately common situation. When your balance is zero and your next deposit is still weeks away, it can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, there are several immediate steps you can take to bridge the gap.

Find Free Groceries and Meals Now

Use statewide locators to find free groceries and meals right away. You can visit Washington 211 or call 211 and filter for “Food—pantries” or “Meals—free” to see what is available today.

Listings cover mobile markets, church meal programs, and EFAP sites across all 39 counties. Many locations offer drive-through service and do not require you to show your current SNAP balance.

If you need a larger, multi-day food box, use the DSHS Office Locator to find your nearest Community Services Office. Most offices partner with food programs, but it is a good idea to call first. An ID and proof of address are usually all that is required.

Apply for Additional or Recalculated Benefits

You may be able to receive emergency Basic Food for same-week help. You can also ask DSHS to recalculate your regular benefit amount if your household's situation has changed.

For expedited service, you will need to provide specific documentation. You must also file an application and clearly request expedited processing.

Gather a photo ID. You will also need proof your household has under $150 in gross income and under $100 in resources, or that your housing costs are higher than your income and cash.
File a Basic Food application online, by calling 877-501-2233, or in person at a CSO. Staff must screen you the same day and issue benefits within seven calendar days.

To have your ongoing allotment re-evaluated, you should report any changes as soon as they happen.

Log in to Washington Connection or call 877-501-2233 to “Report a change.” Upload proof like a layoff notice or higher rent receipt.
DSHS will recalculate your benefits. If the change increases your allotment, the higher amount starts the month after they receive the proof.

Replace Stolen EBT Cash Benefits

You can have EBT cash benefits restored if they were lost to card skimming. These restored funds can then cover groceries at places that allow cash transactions, like farm stands or corner stores.

If you notice unauthorized cash withdrawals from your Quest card on or after July 1, 2024, you must submit the “DSHS Claim of Stolen EBT Benefits” form within 30 days of discovering the loss.

You can file the claim by phone at 877-501-2233, by mail, or in person at a Community Services Office. DSHS will investigate and may restore some or all of the stolen cash to your EBT account.

Track Your EBT Balance and Earn Cashback with Benny

Benny is a free app that lets you check your EBT balance in real time and get cash back on eligible purchases at stores like Target, Walmart, Kroger, and Costco. To begin, link your EBT card to the app. After you make a purchase, scan your receipt with Benny to receive cashback for SNAP-eligible items.

Download Benny to take control of your budget and get more from your EBT benefits.

SHARE

Knowing when your EBT benefits will arrive is important for planning your grocery trips. For families in Washington, having this date helps you budget effectively and keep your kitchen stocked without any guesswork.

In this guide, you'll find your Washington EBT deposit schedule and learn what to do if your benefits don't show up on time.

Monthly EBT Deposit Schedule in Washington

In Washington, your SNAP (Basic Food) deposit date is not determined by your case number or Social Security number. Instead, the state assigns a permanent payment day to your household when your application is first approved, and this date remains the same each month.

Your benefits will arrive on your assigned day, which falls between the 1st and the 20th of the month. To find your specific deposit date, you can check the approval notice you received or look up your benefit details through your Washington Connection online account.

You can also get the date by calling the DSHS Customer Service Contact Center at 1-877-501-2233 or by asking staff at a local Community Services Office.

Cash assistance programs like TANF/WorkFirst follow a different schedule. These benefits are loaded onto your EBT card on the 1st of the month. If you have direct deposit, funds are sent to your bank on the first business day of the month.

Both SNAP and cash funds are usually available by 6 a.m. Pacific Time on your payment day. The state’s EBT manual confirms any unused benefits will roll over to the next month.

How to Check Your EBT Deposit Status in Washington

Once your deposit day arrives, you can confirm the funds are available in a few different ways. For a complete list of options, see our guide on how to check your EBT balance in Washington.

Here are three of the most convenient ways to check your balance:

Use the Benny app for an instant balance update for both your food and cash accounts. The app also provides cashback on eligible EBT purchases. After you download the app, add your EBT card number and PIN, then verify your phone number to see your balance.
Visit the official Washington EBT portal at ebtEDGE.com. After you create an account with your card details, you can view your real-time SNAP and TANF balances. The site also lets you review recent transactions and freeze your card if it gets lost.
Call the 24-hour automated customer service line at 1-888-328-9271. After you select your language, the system will prompt you for your 16-digit card number and PIN. It will then read your current food and cash balances aloud over the phone.

Check Your SNAP & EBT Cash Balance In Real Time

Download the app

Why Your EBT Deposit Might Be Late and What to Do

Several factors can cause your EBT deposit to arrive later than scheduled.

Administrative or Eligibility Snags

If your application or review paperwork is missing documents, contains errors, or is still waiting for a caseworker to verify it, your benefits will be held. High caseloads and simple data-entry mistakes can also contribute to these delays, preventing the system from releasing funds until your case is fully processed and cleared.

System Maintenance or Outages

The state's eligibility and EBT processing systems sometimes go offline for scheduled IT upgrades or experience unexpected technical glitches. During these periods, all automatic benefit issuances are paused across the state until the systems are back online and fully operational, causing a temporary delay.

Weekends and Holidays

When your regular deposit date lands on a weekend or a federal or state holiday, the transaction is automatically postponed. Your benefits will instead be issued on the following business day, which can make the deposit seem late even though the process is working as intended.

Fraud and Security Holds

In response to card-skimming and other fraudulent activities, DSHS may place a temporary freeze on an account. If suspicious activity is detected, deposits can be delayed while the department investigates the issue, replaces the card, or reprocesses any stolen benefits, interrupting the normal payment cycle.

Do EBT Benefits Expire or Roll Over?

Unused Basic Food and cash assistance benefits carry over each month. Your funds remain available as long as you use your card. If an account has no activity for 274 consecutive days, the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) will cancel the entire remaining balance.

To prevent cancellation, you must complete at least one transaction within the 274-day window. Any purchase, withdrawal, or balance inquiry made with your card and PIN resets the inactivity clock. DSHS also closes accounts if it confirms all household members are deceased.

For single-person households, access is suspended if the corrections system reports an incarceration of more than 30 days. You must contact DSHS within 48 hours of your release to reactivate the card. This action prevents the 274-day countdown from expiring while you are unable to use the account.

Canceled Basic Food benefits cannot be replaced. However, you can reclaim canceled cash assistance. You have two years from the cancellation date to request a reissuance from DSHS. After that period, you must contact the State Treasurer to claim the funds.

Check Your EBT Balance & Get Cashback On SNAP

Download the app

What to Do if Your EBT Balance Runs Out Early

Running out of EBT benefits before the end of the month is a stressful and unfortunately common situation. When your balance is zero and your next deposit is still weeks away, it can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, there are several immediate steps you can take to bridge the gap.

Find Free Groceries and Meals Now

Use statewide locators to find free groceries and meals right away. You can visit Washington 211 or call 211 and filter for “Food—pantries” or “Meals—free” to see what is available today.

Listings cover mobile markets, church meal programs, and EFAP sites across all 39 counties. Many locations offer drive-through service and do not require you to show your current SNAP balance.

If you need a larger, multi-day food box, use the DSHS Office Locator to find your nearest Community Services Office. Most offices partner with food programs, but it is a good idea to call first. An ID and proof of address are usually all that is required.

Apply for Additional or Recalculated Benefits

You may be able to receive emergency Basic Food for same-week help. You can also ask DSHS to recalculate your regular benefit amount if your household's situation has changed.

For expedited service, you will need to provide specific documentation. You must also file an application and clearly request expedited processing.

Gather a photo ID. You will also need proof your household has under $150 in gross income and under $100 in resources, or that your housing costs are higher than your income and cash.
File a Basic Food application online, by calling 877-501-2233, or in person at a CSO. Staff must screen you the same day and issue benefits within seven calendar days.

To have your ongoing allotment re-evaluated, you should report any changes as soon as they happen.

Log in to Washington Connection or call 877-501-2233 to “Report a change.” Upload proof like a layoff notice or higher rent receipt.
DSHS will recalculate your benefits. If the change increases your allotment, the higher amount starts the month after they receive the proof.

Replace Stolen EBT Cash Benefits

You can have EBT cash benefits restored if they were lost to card skimming. These restored funds can then cover groceries at places that allow cash transactions, like farm stands or corner stores.

If you notice unauthorized cash withdrawals from your Quest card on or after July 1, 2024, you must submit the “DSHS Claim of Stolen EBT Benefits” form within 30 days of discovering the loss.

You can file the claim by phone at 877-501-2233, by mail, or in person at a Community Services Office. DSHS will investigate and may restore some or all of the stolen cash to your EBT account.

Track Your EBT Balance and Earn Cashback with Benny

Benny is a free app that lets you check your EBT balance in real time and get cash back on eligible purchases at stores like Target, Walmart, Kroger, and Costco. To begin, link your EBT card to the app. After you make a purchase, scan your receipt with Benny to receive cashback for SNAP-eligible items.

Download Benny to take control of your budget and get more from your EBT benefits.

SHARE

Knowing when your EBT benefits will arrive is important for planning your grocery trips. For families in Washington, having this date helps you budget effectively and keep your kitchen stocked without any guesswork.

In this guide, you'll find your Washington EBT deposit schedule and learn what to do if your benefits don't show up on time.

Monthly EBT Deposit Schedule in Washington

In Washington, your SNAP (Basic Food) deposit date is not determined by your case number or Social Security number. Instead, the state assigns a permanent payment day to your household when your application is first approved, and this date remains the same each month.

Your benefits will arrive on your assigned day, which falls between the 1st and the 20th of the month. To find your specific deposit date, you can check the approval notice you received or look up your benefit details through your Washington Connection online account.

You can also get the date by calling the DSHS Customer Service Contact Center at 1-877-501-2233 or by asking staff at a local Community Services Office.

Cash assistance programs like TANF/WorkFirst follow a different schedule. These benefits are loaded onto your EBT card on the 1st of the month. If you have direct deposit, funds are sent to your bank on the first business day of the month.

Both SNAP and cash funds are usually available by 6 a.m. Pacific Time on your payment day. The state’s EBT manual confirms any unused benefits will roll over to the next month.

How to Check Your EBT Deposit Status in Washington

Once your deposit day arrives, you can confirm the funds are available in a few different ways. For a complete list of options, see our guide on how to check your EBT balance in Washington.

Here are three of the most convenient ways to check your balance:

Use the Benny app for an instant balance update for both your food and cash accounts. The app also provides cashback on eligible EBT purchases. After you download the app, add your EBT card number and PIN, then verify your phone number to see your balance.
Visit the official Washington EBT portal at ebtEDGE.com. After you create an account with your card details, you can view your real-time SNAP and TANF balances. The site also lets you review recent transactions and freeze your card if it gets lost.
Call the 24-hour automated customer service line at 1-888-328-9271. After you select your language, the system will prompt you for your 16-digit card number and PIN. It will then read your current food and cash balances aloud over the phone.

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Why Your EBT Deposit Might Be Late and What to Do

Several factors can cause your EBT deposit to arrive later than scheduled.

Administrative or Eligibility Snags

If your application or review paperwork is missing documents, contains errors, or is still waiting for a caseworker to verify it, your benefits will be held. High caseloads and simple data-entry mistakes can also contribute to these delays, preventing the system from releasing funds until your case is fully processed and cleared.

System Maintenance or Outages

The state's eligibility and EBT processing systems sometimes go offline for scheduled IT upgrades or experience unexpected technical glitches. During these periods, all automatic benefit issuances are paused across the state until the systems are back online and fully operational, causing a temporary delay.

Weekends and Holidays

When your regular deposit date lands on a weekend or a federal or state holiday, the transaction is automatically postponed. Your benefits will instead be issued on the following business day, which can make the deposit seem late even though the process is working as intended.

Fraud and Security Holds

In response to card-skimming and other fraudulent activities, DSHS may place a temporary freeze on an account. If suspicious activity is detected, deposits can be delayed while the department investigates the issue, replaces the card, or reprocesses any stolen benefits, interrupting the normal payment cycle.

Do EBT Benefits Expire or Roll Over?

Unused Basic Food and cash assistance benefits carry over each month. Your funds remain available as long as you use your card. If an account has no activity for 274 consecutive days, the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) will cancel the entire remaining balance.

To prevent cancellation, you must complete at least one transaction within the 274-day window. Any purchase, withdrawal, or balance inquiry made with your card and PIN resets the inactivity clock. DSHS also closes accounts if it confirms all household members are deceased.

For single-person households, access is suspended if the corrections system reports an incarceration of more than 30 days. You must contact DSHS within 48 hours of your release to reactivate the card. This action prevents the 274-day countdown from expiring while you are unable to use the account.

Canceled Basic Food benefits cannot be replaced. However, you can reclaim canceled cash assistance. You have two years from the cancellation date to request a reissuance from DSHS. After that period, you must contact the State Treasurer to claim the funds.

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What to Do if Your EBT Balance Runs Out Early

Running out of EBT benefits before the end of the month is a stressful and unfortunately common situation. When your balance is zero and your next deposit is still weeks away, it can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, there are several immediate steps you can take to bridge the gap.

Find Free Groceries and Meals Now

Use statewide locators to find free groceries and meals right away. You can visit Washington 211 or call 211 and filter for “Food—pantries” or “Meals—free” to see what is available today.

Listings cover mobile markets, church meal programs, and EFAP sites across all 39 counties. Many locations offer drive-through service and do not require you to show your current SNAP balance.

If you need a larger, multi-day food box, use the DSHS Office Locator to find your nearest Community Services Office. Most offices partner with food programs, but it is a good idea to call first. An ID and proof of address are usually all that is required.

Apply for Additional or Recalculated Benefits

You may be able to receive emergency Basic Food for same-week help. You can also ask DSHS to recalculate your regular benefit amount if your household's situation has changed.

For expedited service, you will need to provide specific documentation. You must also file an application and clearly request expedited processing.

Gather a photo ID. You will also need proof your household has under $150 in gross income and under $100 in resources, or that your housing costs are higher than your income and cash.
File a Basic Food application online, by calling 877-501-2233, or in person at a CSO. Staff must screen you the same day and issue benefits within seven calendar days.

To have your ongoing allotment re-evaluated, you should report any changes as soon as they happen.

Log in to Washington Connection or call 877-501-2233 to “Report a change.” Upload proof like a layoff notice or higher rent receipt.
DSHS will recalculate your benefits. If the change increases your allotment, the higher amount starts the month after they receive the proof.

Replace Stolen EBT Cash Benefits

You can have EBT cash benefits restored if they were lost to card skimming. These restored funds can then cover groceries at places that allow cash transactions, like farm stands or corner stores.

If you notice unauthorized cash withdrawals from your Quest card on or after July 1, 2024, you must submit the “DSHS Claim of Stolen EBT Benefits” form within 30 days of discovering the loss.

You can file the claim by phone at 877-501-2233, by mail, or in person at a Community Services Office. DSHS will investigate and may restore some or all of the stolen cash to your EBT account.

Track Your EBT Balance and Earn Cashback with Benny

Benny is a free app that lets you check your EBT balance in real time and get cash back on eligible purchases at stores like Target, Walmart, Kroger, and Costco. To begin, link your EBT card to the app. After you make a purchase, scan your receipt with Benny to receive cashback for SNAP-eligible items.

Download Benny to take control of your budget and get more from your EBT benefits.