DSHS further reduces foot traffic at Community Services Offices effective March 26

OLYMPIA – The Department of Social and Health Services announced that its Community Services Offices will further reduce foot traffic from the public beginning at 8 a.m. Thursday, March 26 in response to Governor Inslee’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy directive and in a continued effort to curb the spread of COVID-19. The reduction of in-person services will remain in place until further notice.

The agency’s Economic Services Administration announced March 19 that it would offer only limited services in its offices statewide.

“Decisions like these that so significantly impact the people we serve are not taken lightly,” explained Babs Roberts, director of DSHS’ Community Services Division, which operates the CSOs. “We are doing our best to balance the critical service delivery we provide with everyone’s health and safety.”

For people who need cash or food assistance, online options allow DSHS to serve the public from the safety and convenience of their own homes. For example, at WashingtonConnection.org, customers can:

• Apply or complete an eligibility review for food, cash, medical and Medicare Savings Program benefits
• Complete a mid-certification or report a change

Full services are also available by phone through the Customer Service Contact Center at 877-501-2233:

• Apply for benefits or complete eligibility review without filling out a paper or online form
• Complete an interview for benefits
• Get case information or report changes
• Complete a mid-certification review
• Request a replacement EBT card
• Reach a WorkFirst case manager or social worker

A few in-person services are available in CSO lobbies for a limited number of customers to pick up:

• An EBT card, when the individual has general delivery mail services only and for certain expedited food recipients. All other EBT cards will be mailed from the vendor or through a local office mail process. Clients may contact EBT Customer Service at 888-328-9271 for EBT card replacements.
• Emergency support services, when mailing those services is not an option.

Customers may continue to drop off paperwork via drop boxes, where available. Paperwork will be picked up daily and routed for processing.

DSHS appreciates the community’s patience and flexibility during this time of incredible change for everyone. Future service updates will be available at dshs.wa.gov as well as on DSHS Facebook and Twitter. Additional information is available on the state’s new coronavirus website.