Contact Information

  • Governor's Office, 360-902-4111

Governor Gregoire Announces $1.2 Million Bonus for State Efforts to Address Hunger

For Immediate Release: October 4, 2006

OLYMPIA � Governor Chris Gregoire today announced that Washington has received a second performance bonus from the federal government for the success of the state Basic Food program. A bonus of $1.2 million will be awarded for efforts to reach out to eligible individuals and provide education on program benefits. The bonus will be deposited into the state�s general fund.

�This is the second such award for Washington and I applaud our employees who are reaching out to people eligible for Basic Food and helping to deliver services,� said Governor Gregoire. �Not only is Washington efficiently delivering the federal Basic Food benefit, but we are delivering it to more people that need it.�

The Washington Basic Food caseload increased from 238,811 in fiscal year 2004 to 266,448 in fiscal year 2005. The agency�s outreach efforts are based on contracting with community providers.

�Representatives of those providers go to food banks and community action agencies where low-income people seek food,� said Deb Marley, DSHS assistant secretary for the Economic Services Administration. �They educate potential clients about benefits available through the Basic Food program and refer them to a community service office.�

Washington in July earned a $4.8 million federal bonus for significantly reducing errors in Basic Food payments. Basic Food is the Washington system to help low income people purchase food using Electronic Benefits Cards, which operate like debit cards.

The Basic Food program helps an average 542,000 low-income Washington residents each month. During fiscal year 2005, $600 million worth of Basic Food benefits were used to purchase groceries at local businesses across the state.

The DSHS contractors involved in the Basic Food Education and Outreach program are:


  • Rural Resources - Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Garfield, Grant, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens and Whitman counties
  • Cascade Blue Mountain Food Share - Benton, Columbia, Franklin, Kittitas, Walla Walla and Yakima counties
  • Skagit County Community Action Agency - Island, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom counties
  • Hopelink - King county
  • South Sound Outreach Services - Kitsap and Pierce counties
  • Lower Columbia Community Action Council - Clark, Cowlitz, Wahkiakum, Pacific, and Grays Harbor counties
  • CHOICE Regional Health Network - Clallam, Jefferson, Thurston, Mason, Lewis, Pacific and Grays Harbor counties
  • BenefitsCheckUp - Statewide
  • Within Reach - Statewide
  • Port Gamble S'Kallam Tribe - Port Gamble S�Kallam Tribe

Basic Food Program Facts



  • The federal government fully funds the state�s Basic Food benefits and pays for about half of the administrative costs to run the program.
  • Basic Food benefits are based on family size and income. For example, a family of three with gross earnings of under $1,744 per month would be eligible.
  • Applications for Basic Food benefits can be submitted at any DSHS Community Services Office (CSO) or online. Find links to a list of CSOs and online applications on the Washington Basic Food program web site.


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