The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) has activated its Disaster Cash Assistance Program (DCAP) for Whatcom County residents impacted by recent severe weather and flooding. The DSHS Mobile Community Service Office (MCSO) is on-site to serve flood-impacted community members from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, Nov. 30-Dec. 1 at Valley Church, 904 Nooksack Rd in Everson. The mobile response will include a Spanish translation resource.

Following historic rainfall and devastating floods, Governor Inslee declared several counties, including Whatcom, as disaster areas. The declaration allows financial assistance to be provided, including via DCAP.

Those who have been unable to remain in their homes due to flooding or subsequent damage may be eligible for DCAP, which is an emergency cash assistance program available to those who are not eligible for other cash assistance programs (such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), but who meet the DCAP income and resource limits.

The program requires an application and interview. Those unable to travel to the mobile DCAP site can apply online at WashingtonConnection.org and then call the Customer Service Contact Center at 877–501–2233 to complete the required interview. Another option is to call 877–501–2233 to complete the entire application process over the phone. For the quickest response, it’s best to call before 11 a.m. Once approved, people will receive their DCAP benefits on an existing Electronic Benefit Transfer or EBT card, or a new EBT card will be sent via U.S. mail.

This cash assistance is available to Washington residents regardless of citizenship status and does not require applicants to provide a Social Security number. Due to recent legislation, those who have received DCAP benefits previously and are still in need may reapply each month the program is active. The monthly benefit amount depends on household size, income, and need. It ranges from a maximum of $417 for a single person to a maximum of $1,289 for a household of eight or more people.

What applicants need to know:

Applicants should bring identification, in some cases, DSHS will need verification of certain eligibility requirements such as income and resources. These are examples of the most common verification:

• Identity
• Who lives in your home
• Household income
• Childcare costs
• Disability
• Shelter costs
• Specific work and/or school schedules
• Things you own, such as bank accounts, homes, property, and vehicles

 For more information, visit the DSHS webpage on its Disaster Cash Assistance Program.