The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service provides federal funding to the state of Washington in order to provide food stamps to low-income, elderly and disabled households. The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services manages the Basic Food Program and sets asset limits. The state Legislature outlines these guidelines in Washington Administrative Code 388-470.
Limits
According to the Washington DSHS, households may not have resources exceeding $2,000, including stock investments and checking and savings accounts. For households that contain a person aged 60 or over or a disabled member, the maximum asset limit increases to $3,000. The state counts mutual funds, certificates of deposit and trust accounts towards asset limits per WAC Section 388-470-0055.
Considerations
Per WAC 388-470-0005, the DSHS counts a piece of property or checking or savings account as a resource if the food stamp applicant has his name on it. A resource also counts against an applicant if she has legal control over the resource or the resource can be converted into cash within 20 days.
Time Frame
The Washington DSHS calculates asset limits when a caseworker meets with the applicant on the date of a food stamp interview. The department checks eligibility every month to ensure that the recipient still qualifies for the Washington Basic Food Program. Food stamp recipients receive their benefits within 30 days of an application.
Residence
Per WAC 388-470-0055, a primary residence that an applicant, his spouse or his dependents live in does not count against the applicant's asset eligibility, regardless of the fair market value of the property. The resident does not need to count a home toward asset limits if she is not living in the home due to employment, illness, natural disaster or employment training. If a Washington Basic Food applicant owns more than one house and has made a good faith effort to sell the property, she may own more than one property and qualify for the program.
Transport
The state of Washington allows most food stamp recipients to keep their vehicles. According to WAC 388-470-0075, residents may not own a vehicle with a fair market value of $4,650 or more per adult as of 2010 unless the applicant uses the vehicle to transport himself to a job. Disabled persons receive an exemption from vehicle asset limits.The state does not count any vehicles worth $1,500 or less.
Tags: asset limits, Basic Food, food stamp, against applicant, asset limits state, Basic Food Program, checking savings
