Does Washington ESD unemployment affect food stamps eligibility or amounts?

Do I report it online through the Washington Connection portal or do I need to call them?

You can report it online through Washington Connection, but calling might be faster if you need to speak with someone about how the calculation works.

That's a huge drop! Did you appeal it or just accept the new amount?

i tried to appeal but they said the calculation was correct. unemployment counts as income so theres not much you can do about it

What's the difference between earned and unearned income for food stamps? I never understood that.

Earned income has a 20% deduction before they calculate your SNAP benefits, while unearned income (like unemployment) doesn't get that deduction. It can actually work out better sometimes depending on your total income.

Is that for DSHS too or just Washington ESD? I might need help reaching both agencies.

I used it primarily for Washington ESD but I think they work with other state agencies too. Worth checking out if you're having trouble getting through.

I know right? You'd think in 2025 these computer systems would talk to each other by now.

seriously! and then they act like its our fault when we forget to report something or mess up the timing

What happens if I have an overpayment? Do they take it out of future benefits?

They can recoup overpayments by reducing your monthly SNAP benefits, usually by 10% of your monthly allotment until it's paid back.

They can also take it from your tax refund if the overpayment is large enough. Learned that the hard way.

The enhanced unemployment benefits during COVID counted as income for SNAP just like regular UI. Many people lost their food stamp eligibility completely during that period because the payments were so high.

Yeah I lost my food stamps entirely when I was getting the extra $600. Didn't get them back until after the enhanced benefits ended.

Thank you for that reminder. Are there any specific food banks in the Seattle area you'd recommend?

Food Lifeline has a network of food banks throughout King County. You can search by zip code on their website to find locations near you.

Good point. I should probably print out my weekly claim confirmations from the Washington ESD website.

yes exactly. i had to provide like 3 months worth of payment history when they reviewed my case

The gross income limit for a single person is actually $1,580 per month as of 2025. But they also look at net income after deductions, which is $1,215 monthly.

So if I'm getting $520/week that's about $2,080/month which would definitely put me over the limit?

Not necessarily. They subtract your standard deduction first, and there might be other deductions that apply to your situation. That's why it's important to report it and let them do the calculation.

That's encouraging to hear. I was worried they'd just cut me off completely.

Yeah they have different benefit levels. Even if you don't qualify for the full amount, you might still get something. Plus there are emergency food assistance programs if you're really struggling.

Usually they make the change effective the month after you report it, but they can make it retroactive to when the income actually started if you report late.

Good to know. So if I report it quickly I won't have to worry about owing money back.

Expedited processing is usually for people with very low income and resources. If you're receiving unemployment, you probably wouldn't qualify unless you have other emergency circumstances.

Makes sense. I was just curious because the application process takes forever normally.

That's really good advice. I learned to do that with Washington ESD after my claim got messed up.

Exactly! These agencies handle so many cases that details get lost. Having your own records protects you.

That's good to know. At least there's an end in sight if I can find work before my benefits run out.

Yeah, and if you find part-time work while on unemployment, that might actually help your food stamp calculation since earned income has better deductions.

I'm curious about this service. Is it expensive?

I found it worth it considering how much time it saves. Check out their website for details - claimyr.com has all the info.

Wow, thousands? That's scary. I definitely don't want to end up in that situation.

Yeah it can add up quickly over several months. Better to report right away and deal with reduced benefits than to risk a huge overpayment later.

Both child support and unemployment count as unearned income for SNAP purposes. They'll add them together when calculating your total household income.

Thanks, that's what I thought but wanted to make sure. Time to report everything to DSHS.

Agreed! I feel much more prepared now. Going to report my UI benefits tomorrow morning.

Good luck! Hope it goes smoothly for you.

I didn't know about 211. That's really helpful information, thank you!

They can connect you to all sorts of resources - food banks, utility assistance, housing help, everything. It's a lifesaver when you're struggling.