Costco has announced that it will soon begin accepting food stamps at all of its warehouse stores, following a successful pilot in New York City. This means that thousands of low-income households receiving food assistance through Washington’s food stamp program, Basic Food, will soon be able to use their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Quest card to purchase bulk groceries at any of the 28 Costco stores in this state.

People receive their monthly Basic Food benefits electronically on the debit-like Quest card to spend on food items. Costco customers will not be able to use their Basic Food benefits to pay the store’s annual $50 household membership fee. 

Costco stores could begin accepting Basic Food Quest cards as early as Thanksgiving.

During these tough economic times, more and more people are relying on Basic Food. Over the past year, the Department of Social and Health Services has been able to reach more than 110,000 additional households through a variety of initiatives aimed at improving program access. About 424,000 families in Washington now receive Basic Food. 

"This is a great boost to our efforts to provide much needed help to families who are struggling to put nutritious food on the table. This will really help people stretch their limited food budgets," said Gov. Chris Gregoire. "Basic Food is a first line of defense against hunger, and I am proud that a locally-based business is helping in the fight against hunger and poverty in Washington State and the nation."

DSHS Secretary Susan N. Dreyfus also praised the decision. "Hunger and poverty underpin many of the problems that we face in social services. Food on the table is essential for the health and educational success of our children," Dreyfus said.

Each month, the Basic Food program brings in more than $100 million in federal food benefits. These food dollars provide critical support not only to families but the state’s economy as well, with every dollar of Basic Food generating nearly twice that amount in local economic activity. This means that Basic Food has a positive economic impact of more than $191 million per month.

A major Basic Food Outreach and Expansion initiative is underway within DSHS and with its community partners, with a goal of enrolling every eligible individual and household in the program. DSHS is reaching out to partners and businesses in local communities to increase the locations where people can apply online for benefits. Alternative locations make it easier for working families and people in remote locations to get the services they need without having to go to a DSHS office.

These outreach efforts include an online application for benefits at http://onlineapp.dshs.wa.gov, and an information website at www.foodhelp.wa.gov where people can learn more about Basic Food and other nutrition programs available in Washington. 

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