The Washington Benefit Kitchen is a free screener that all Washington residents can use to determine eligibility for several tax credits and many federal, state, and local public benefits – and to access the application sites to apply for those for which they qualify. Takes about 10 minutes to complete. Checks eligibility for tax credits, food stamps, cash assistance, WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), Head Start, school meals, childcare assistance, Medicaid,  Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), county medical services, Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), lifeline, and subsidized internet.

Benefits Kitchen Screening Program offered at Spokane County United Way

Free screener that all Washington residents can use to determine eligibility for several tax credits and many federal, state, and local public benefits – and to access the application sites to apply for those for which they qualify.

Programs that focus broadly on helping individuals who are having difficulty understanding, accessing, and/or are unaware of grants, payments, services or other benefits for which they are eligible rather than offering more specialized services relating to a particular type of benefit or service.

General Benefits and Services Assistance

Programs that provide information about provisions in the federal tax code that may benefit individuals and employers who purchase health insurance through the ACA health insurance marketplace. Individuals may be eligible for premium tax credits that will help to lower their monthly premiums; and employers who buy insurance through the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) may be eligible for a Small Business Health Care Tax Credit to help cover the cost of coverage for their employees.

Affordable Care Act Federal Tax Credit Information

Programs that offer information and guidance for people who may qualify for Medicaid with the objective of empowering them to make informed choices. Included may be information about the eligibility requirements for Medicaid and how to apply; Medicaid Managed Care options, benefits covered (and not covered) by the program including long-term care and home and community-based services; the payment process for co-payments; Medicaid "spend-down" (the process of reducing income and/or assets an individual possesses in order to qualify for Medicaid); and information about Medicare and the linkages between the two programs. The program may also answer questions about Medicaid services available to individuals with disabilities; and some programs may help people who qualify with enrollment and provide referrals to providers who accept State Medicaid health insurance.

Medicaid Information/Counseling

Programs that provide information and guidance for employers of and/or employees who earn less than a specified amount during the year, regardless of whether it is taxable, and qualify for a credit which allows them to subtract up to $4,008 from their tax liability at the end of the year or obtain a refund. The minimum income amount varies depending on whether the individual has qualifying children (sons, daughters, adopted children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, stepchildren, or eligible foster children who meet age criteria and have lived with individual in the U.S. for a specified period of time) and their number. Eligible foster children may include brothers, sisters, step brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews or children placed by an authorizing placement agency. Also included are organizations that issue the tax credits.

Earned Income Credit Information

Organizations that help families obtain health insurance for their children under the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), a program that is jointly financed by the federal and state governments and administered by the states. In some states, CHIP is an expansion of the Medicaid program and allows children of parents with higher incomes than were allowable in the past to participate and receive health insurance through Medicaid. In other states, CHIP is a separate program from Medicaid and covers children whose parents have incomes that are higher than the state's Medicaid eligibility levels. Within broad Federal guidelines, each state determines the design of its program, eligibility groups, benefit packages, payment levels for coverage, and administrative and operating procedures. The insurance pays for doctor visits, immunizations, hospitalizations and emergency room visits, but additional services may be available depending on the benefits defined by the state. Depending on the family's income, insurance premiums and co-pays may apply.

CHIP Programs

A public health nutrition program administered by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service that provides nutrition education, nutritious foods, breastfeeding support and health care referrals for income-eligible pregnant or postpartum individuals, infants and children up to age five. Foster parents, grandparents, guardians and single fathers who have custody of their children may also be eligible to receive food assistance for children up to age five if they meet income guidelines. WIC provides specific foods to supplement the dietary needs of participants to ensure good health and development. Food packages typically include iron-fortified infant cereal, milk, cheese, eggs, whole grains, peanut butter, beans, fruits, vegetables and juice. Families can shop for WIC foods at most grocery stores using a WIC electronic transfer benefit (EBT) card or vouchers.

Programs that provide benefits screening services which help individuals determine whether they are eligible for benefits through any of a wide variety of public and private federal, state and local programs. In addition to identifying the programs that a person may be eligible to receive, the service generally also provides a detailed description of the programs, local contacts for additional information (typically the addresses and phone numbers of where to apply for the programs), and materials to help successfully apply for each program. Included are programs that provide this service online and those that do benefits screening via the telephone or in-person. Some benefits screening programs may focus on specific populations such as older adults and people with disabilities; or specific aspects of benefits eligibility such as the impact that working will have on their benefits as an aid to helping people make informed decisions regarding whether to work. Also included are programs that help people complete the benefits screening form.

Benefits Screening

A federally-funded child development and family support program that provides early education, health, mental health, nutrition and social services for low-income pregnant individuals and families with children from birth to age three. Services provided directly or through referral may include prenatal education and parenting classes for pregnant individuals; child development information; parent/child activities; a home visiting program for families with newborns; early education services in a variety of settings; comprehensive health and mental health services including smoking cessation and substance abuse treatment; coordination with organizations providing early intervention for infants and toddlers with disabilities; assistance in obtaining income support, housing or emergency cash; and transportation to program services.

Early Head Start

Programs that provide health insurance for people who do not qualify for Medicaid, do not have access to insurance provided by an employer or cannot afford privately purchased health insurance. Services covered by these programs vary by state but generally include hospitalization, physician services, emergency room visits, family planning, immunizations, laboratory and x-ray services, outpatient surgery, chiropractic care, prescriptions, eye exams, eye glasses and dental care. Other services may include alcohol and drug treatment, mental health services, medical and equipment and supplies and rehabilitative therapy. Eligibility requirements also vary. Included are state and/or local government health insurance programs which may be administered by the state or at the local level, and public/private partnerships between state and/or local government entities and health insurance companies or other private organizations. Health care is generally provided through participating managed care plans in the area.

State/Local Health Insurance Programs

Provides medical benefits for individuals and families with limited incomes. 
The following health care services are covered by WA Apple Health (Medicaid):
-  Appointments with a doctor or health care professional for necessary care
-  Medical care in an emergency
-  Maternity and newborn care
-  Mental health services
-  Treatment for chemical or alcohol dependence
-  Pediatric services, including dental and vision care
-  Limited dental and vision care for adults
-  Prescription medications
-  Laboratory services
-  Hospitalization
-  Transportation to and from medical appointments, when necessary
-  An interpreter for your appointment, if you do not speak English (arranged through your provider)

Apple Health offered by Washington Health Plan Finder

Provides medical benefits for adults with income below 138% of the FPL and children in families with income up to 300% of the FPL. Coverage includes primary care, substance abuse care and mental health care. Enrollment never closes.

County or state offices that accept applications and determine eligibility for the Medicaid program; and reinstate individuals who have lost their Medicaid benefits due to incarceration, institutionalization, noncompliance or other reasons. Also included are other programs that help people prepare and file Medicaid applications and/or are authorized to do eligibility determinations for the program.

Medicaid Applications

Provides eligibility screening and application assistance for Washington health insurance programs, including WA Apple Health (Medicaid) and SCHIP (State Children's Health Insurance Program) and Qualified Health Plans.

Health Insurance Information offered by WithinReach

Insurance plans that are certified by a marketplace (exchange), provide essential health benefits, follow established limits on cost-sharing (like deductibles, copayments and out-of-pocket maximum amounts), and meet other requirements specified by the Affordable Care Act. A qualified health plan will have a certification by each marketplace in which it is sold.

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Benefits Kitchen Screening Program offered at Spokane County United Way

Apple Health offered by Washington Health Plan Finder

Health Insurance Information offered by WithinReach