Updated Jan. 8, 2026: Disaster Cash Assistance Program funds have been depleted as of Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, and DSHS is no longer accepting DCAP applications. An additional relief program is available for Washington residents in King, Lewis, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom counties. Gov. Bob Ferguson has allocated $ 2.5 million to our colleagues at the state’s Military Department Emergency Management Division for Individual Assistance Needs Grants to further help people impacted by the severe flooding in Washington.
People can apply for this limited assistance starting Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in three ways:
- Online at the Salvation Army website (SAHelp.org), which the Military Department is contracting with
- By phone at 833-719-4981
- In person at a Disaster Assistance Center in the county where the resident lives
More information about recovery assistance is available at floodrecovery.wa.gov.
You can read the governor’s full press release here.
Updated Jan. 2, 2026: If you lose food bought with food benefits because of recent flooding or a power outage, you can file a claim to replace those food benefits. Call DSHS at 877-501-2233 or visit your local Community Services Office to request a replacement. If you live in Asotin, Clark, Ferry, Island, Jefferson, Kitsap, Klickitat, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Skamania, Spokane, Stevens, Thurston, Wahkiakum and Whitman counties, and lost food due to the floods or power outages related to the major wind and rainstorm that began on Dec. 17, 2025, you may file a claim until Jan. 16, 2026. If you live in Benton, Chelan, Clallam, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, King, Kittitas, Lewis, Mason, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, Whatcom or Yakima counties, and lost food due to the floods or power outages related to the atmospheric river event that began on Dec. 9, 2025, you may file a claim until Jan. 8, 2026. People in all other counties must file a claim within 10 days of food loss.
DSHS Mobile Office Teams are connecting people with resources to help recover from recent flooding. Visit them at one of their sites and learn more at the Mobile Office Team page.
Updated Dec. 23, 2025: On Dec. 17, 2025, Gov. Bob Ferguson allocated $1 million for the Disaster Cash Assistance Program to help Washington residents impacted by the severe flooding in Washington. As of Monday evening, Dec. 22, DSHS has provided critical support to more than 2,400 households. As of Tuesday morning, Dec. 23, those funds have been depleted, and DSHS can no longer approve applications.
If you need assistance, we encourage you to apply for other benefits through DSHS. To apply, call the Customer Service Contact Center at 877-501-2233 or visit your local Community Services Office between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can also apply online at WashingtonConnection.org.
FAQ - Disaster Cash Assistance Program
Posted: Dec. 17, 2025
What is the Disaster Cash Assistance Program?
This emergency cash assistance program is available to people who are not eligible for other cash assistance programs. Families, people without children and people who are not pregnant who meet the income and resource limit of the program listed in the tables below might be eligible. This cash assistance is available to Washington residents regardless of citizenship status and does not require applicants to provide a Social Security number.
The monthly benefit amount depends on household size, income and need. It ranges from a maximum of $450 for a single person to a maximum of $1,662 for a household of 10 or more people.
Why is this happening?
In response to the devastating effects of recent atmospheric rivers and flooding, Gov. Bob Ferguson declared Benton, Chelan, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, King, Kittitas, Lewis, Pacific, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston, Yakima and Whatcom counties disaster areas and issued an order activating DCAP. Starting Dec. 17, 2025, the Department of Social and Health Services began offering DCAP. People residing in the designated disaster areas who are unable to return to their homes due to evacuations or flood damage might be eligible for DCAP.
“We are doing everything we can as a state to support people through this crisis,” the governor 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.”
How do I apply?
The program requires an application and interview. To complete both steps, call the Customer Service Contact Center at 877-501-2233 or go to a local Community Services Office. If you want to start the process online, you can submit your application at WashingtonConnection.org and then call or visit us to complete the interview.
Although we are open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, application processing ends at 2 p.m. Due to higher-than-normal call volumes, people are asked to call before 11 a.m. and to keep in mind that the busiest call times are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Additionally, please check the Mobile CSO calendar for dates and locations.
How do I receive the DCAP benefits?
If you are approved for DCAP, your benefits will be issued to an EBT card. If you are approved and do not have one, we will give you a card.
You can pick up a card at your local Community Services Office or request to have one mailed to you.
Who is eligible for Disaster Cash Assistance?
To qualify for this assistance, your household must meet all of the following:
- Live in an area that has been declared a disaster.
- Be unable to return to your home due to the disaster.
- Be a resident of Washington state, as defined in WAC 388-468-0005.
- Have a net income below the limits in WAC 388-436-0050 (1).
- Be ineligible for any other program that could meet your need, as stated in WAC 388-436-0030.
- Demonstrate a financial need for emergency funds.
How often can I get this help?
Based on the governor’s proclamation, DCAP can be issued once in a 12-month period.
How long will this program be available?
This is a temporary program that is scheduled to end when the governor’s order expires Jan. 15, 2026.
Can I receive a DCAP cash benefit even if I don’t have kids living with me?
Yes.
Can I get DCAP and other cash programs at the same time?
No. DCAP is for households whose members don’t qualify for other DSHS cash programs.
What is the income limit for this program?
The net income limit (after deductions) for all income expected in the month of application is based on household size. See the chart below.
| Household size | Income limit after deductions |
|---|---|
| 1 | $405 |
| 2 | $513 |
| 3 | $636 |
| 4 | $749 |
| 5 | $863 |
| 6 | $981 |
| 7 | $1,132 |
| 8 | $1,253 |
| 9 | $1,376 |
| 10+ | $1,496 |
Is there a resource limit for this program?
Any resources that are available within 30 days are considered income except the following:
- A home, as defined under WAC 388-470-0045.
- One vehicle, running and used regularly by the household, with an equity value not to exceed $1,500.
Will all of my income be used to determine if I’m eligible for DCAP?
There are some income deductions for work, child care and medical expenses. In addition, there are deductions for disaster-related expenses and losses suffered as a result of the disaster if the expenses or losses are not anticipated to be reimbursed during the month of application. This includes damage to homes and property.
What information do I need for my interview?
During the interview, we will discuss:
- All income you expect for the month
- What resources you have available
- What deductions we can make
- Which expenses you need help with
With what type of expenses can I get help?
DCAP covers the following types of needs:
- Shelter costs
- Utilities
- Clothing
- Medical care for minor injuries
- Household supplies
- Transportation costs for work
DCAP can also help with food, but only if you are ineligible for ongoing food benefits.
What is the maximum DCAP benefit amount?
The benefit amount depends on household size, income and need. The maximum benefits are listed below.
| Household size | Maximum benefit amount |
|---|---|
| 1 | $450 |
| 2 | $570 |
| 3 | $706 |
| 4 | $833 |
| 5 | $959 |
| 6 | $1,090 |
| 7 | $1,258 |
| 8 | $1,392 |
| 9 | $1,529 |
| 10+ | $1,662 |
Do I need to be a U.S. citizen? What if I do not have a Social Security number?
You are not required to be a U.S. citizen or have a certain immigration status to receive DCAP. Any DCAP payment is excluded from the public charge test. You are not required to provide a Social Security number to receive DCAP.