The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services started sending text messages in March 2025 that provide customers with additional program reminders. These messages are designed to keep you informed with important updates and help keep your benefits open.
Purpose and Goals:
DSHS is committed to improving the customer experience and providing more current and efficient ways to communicate with you. Along with the letters you may receive from us in the mail, we may also send you text messages to remind you of important program actions, like reminders about your eligibility reviews. Text frequencies may vary depending on the reason for the text and your specific household needs.
DSHS Active Texting Campaign Information
|
Text Title |
Text # |
Text Content |
Why We Send It |
| Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents Work Requirements Reminder | 509-380-9430 |
To keep getting food benefits, DSHS needs proof of your work activities. Visit https://www.dshs.wa.gov/esa-1 for details Please confirm your work activities with DSHS by the end of this month. Without confirmation, your food benefits will stop. Visit https://www.dshs.wa.gov/esa-1 for details |
You may receive a text if you are considered an Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents, reminding you about your requirement to report work activities. It is important to report your work activities to keep your benefits. |
|
DSHS Mobile Community Services Office |
509-380-9430 |
Hello. The DSHS Mobile CSO truck will be in your area tomorrow. Please go to https://rb.gy/87bhj for details. Join us on Facebook at https://rb.gy/r1sgrs |
You may receive a text informing you that the DSHS Mobile Community Services Office is in your area. The text includes a link to additional details of the Mobile CSO location. |
|
EBT Card Compromised Alert |
855-531-7292 |
WA DSHS: EBT Card Holder your benefits are at risk for theft. Act immediately. Change your PIN or replace your card by calling the phone number on the back of your card or go to a DSHS office. Reminder: DSHS texts will never ask for personal information. |
You may receive a text if your card is at risk for theft. It is important to act and take safety steps to help keep your benefits safe. |
|
Quality Control Appointment Reminder |
855-531-7292 |
Phone appointment message: WA DSHS: Your Quality Control food phone interview is on xx/xx/xx at 00:00 am/pm. Failure may lead to closure of your benefits. Call 1-800-473-5664 with questions. In person appointment message: WA DSHS: Your Quality Control in person food interview is on xx/xx/xx at 00:00 am/pm. Failure may lead to closure of your benefits. Call 1-800-473-5664 with questions |
You may get a text if you have an in-person or phone appointment with our Quality Control team. The message will tell you when your interview is scheduled. It is important to attend your interview to keep your benefits. |
|
Eligibility Review Reminder |
28127 |
This is a reminder from Washington State DSHS that your Eligibility Review is due. Please contact us between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday-Friday at 877-501-2233 or visit your nearest Community Services Office to complete an interview. You may also submit the Eligibility Review form online at dshs.wa.gov and then follow up by phone or in person to complete the required interview. To stop receiving SMS texts from us, reply STOP |
You may receive a text informing you that you have an eligibility review due for a program you or your family are receiving. It is important to complete this review, so you do not experience a disruption to your benefits. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why am I getting text messages?
A: Our records show we have a phone number for you, and you have important program reminder(s) we want you to know about. If you recently got this phone number and are not receiving benefits with DSHS, you may ignore the text and reply “Stop” to no longer receive these text messages.
Q: Why do these texts come from different numbers?
A: DSHS uses different platforms to send you important program text reminders. You may receive a text message from a full phone number or from a short code phone number. You can check the information listed above to see the list of numbers that will send you DSHS text messages.
Q: How often will I get a text?
A: You may get texts from DSHS at different times of the month depending on the important information we need to share with you. Some of the texts require you to contact us to complete an action on your case and others may share information only. It is important that you review the message and take necessary steps. If we ask you to contact us to complete a review or other eligibility-related action and you have already done that, you may disregard the message. Please see the information above for a schedule of the different text reminders.
Q: What if I don’t want to receive any more texts?
A: You will always have the option to stop receiving text messages from DSHS. In most cases you can simply reply to the text with “STOP” to no longer get text messages. You can also review the above information to stop receiving specific reminders or see information on how you can start receiving text messages again.
Q: Why do I also receive phone call reminders?
A: DSHS uses several different ways to share important program reminders or information. You may also receive a phone call with a voice recording that shares program reminders or other important information. If you would like to stop receiving these phone calls, please contact the DSHS Customer Service Contact Center at 877-501-2233 or visit your local DSHS Community Services Office. DSHS staff can assist with answering your questions or guide you through our text message process.
Q: Who do I contact with questions?
A: Your text message should contain a phone number to contact us if you have questions or need assistance. You can always contact us at 877-501-2233 if you have any questions.
How do I apply for benefits?
- Online at www.washingtonconnection.org.
- By phone by calling 877-501-2233.
- In person at your local DSHS Community Services Office. Find a CSO near you at www.dshs.wa.gov/office-locations.
- By mail:
- DSHS Customer Service Center
P.O. Box 11699
Tacoma, WA 98411-6699
- DSHS Customer Service Center