WAC 388-416-0005 How long can I get Basic Food?

1. The length of time the department determines your assistance unit (AU) is eligible to get Basic Food is called a certification period.   The department may certify your AU for up to: 

   1. Six months if your AU:

      1. Includes an able-bodied adult without dependents (ABAWD) who receives Basic Food in your AU and your AU does not live in an exempt area as described in WAC 388-444-0030;

      2. Includes a person who receives ADATSA benefits as described in Chapter 388-800 WAC;

      3. Is considered homeless under 388-408-0050; or

      4. Includes a migrant or seasonal farmworker as described under 388-406-0021.

   2. Twenty-four months if all adults in your AU are elderly persons or individuals with disabilities and no one in your AU has earned income.

   3. Twelve months if your AU does not meet any of the conditions for six or twenty-four months

2. If you receive Transitional Food Assistance, we set your certification period as described under 388-489-0015.  

3. If your AU is homeless or includes an ABAWD when you live in a non-exempt area, we may shorten your certification period.

4. We terminate your Basic Food benefits when:

   1. We get proof of a change that makes your AU ineligible; or

   2. We get information that your AU is ineligible; and

   3. You do not provide needed information to verify your AUs circumstances.