Does Washington ESD unemployment count as income for SNAP benefits?

Yes, unemployment benefits do count as income for SNAP calculations. However, that doesn't necessarily mean you won't qualify - it depends on your household size and other factors. $520/week is about $2,080/month, so you'd need to check the SNAP income limits for your household size.

I went through this exact situation last year when I was on Washington ESD benefits. UI payments definitely count as income, but I was still able to get SNAP because my unemployment was temporary and I had no other income. The application process was pretty straightforward through the Washington state DSHS website.

Just to add - they'll want to see your Washington ESD payment history as part of the application. You can download your payment summary from your SecureAccess Washington account to include with your SNAP application. Make sure it shows all your recent payments clearly.

I'm dealing with something similar but my Washington ESD claim has been stuck in adjudication for weeks. I can't even get through to anyone to find out what's happening with my benefits. How are you supposed to apply for SNAP when you don't even know if your UI will be approved?

Wait I thought unemployment didn't count for food stamps? My cousin told me it was exempt because it's temporary assistance...

The silver lining is that Washington state has some of the more generous SNAP benefits and income limits compared to other states. Plus if you're unemployed, you might qualify for expedited processing which can get you benefits faster.

This whole system is so confusing. You lose your job, finally get unemployment after jumping through hoops with Washington ESD, then find out it might disqualify you from other help. Makes no sense.

Pro tip: when you apply for SNAP, also ask about other programs you might qualify for like LIHEAP for utility assistance or the Washington Apple Health (Medicaid). Sometimes there are programs that complement each other.

Does anyone know if the SNAP office communicates with Washington ESD at all? Like do they verify your UI payments directly or just go by what you report?

I got SNAP while on unemployment last year and it was a huge help. Don't let the fact that UI counts as income discourage you from applying - you might be surprised at what you qualify for.

Just wanted to follow up on the Claimyr thing I mentioned earlier - I used it again this week to check on my job search requirement questions and it worked great. Really worth it if you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD by phone.

Quick question - if your UI benefits end while you're receiving SNAP, do you need to report that change right away?

The income limits change every year too, so what qualified last year might not qualify this year and vice versa. Always worth checking the current limits on the DSHS website.

Been on both UI and SNAP before - the biggest thing is just being honest about your income and situation. The caseworkers are generally pretty helpful and want to connect you with benefits you qualify for.

Don't forget about the work requirements for SNAP too. If you're unemployed and looking for work, you should be able to meet them, but it's something to be aware of.

I had to use Claimyr twice last month - once for a question about my weekly claim and once to resolve an issue with my standby status. Both times I got through to someone who could actually help instead of just getting hung up on.

Also remember that even if you don't qualify for regular SNAP, you might qualify for emergency SNAP if you're in a crisis situation. Worth asking about if you're really struggling.

The whole process is easier if you apply online through the Washington Connection website rather than going to an office. You can upload all your documents right there.

One more thing - keep copies of everything you submit for SNAP, including your Washington ESD payment records. You might need them later for recertification or if there are any questions about your case.

Hope it works out for you! Having both UI and SNAP really helped me get through a tough period last year. The extra food assistance made a huge difference in my budget.