Helping Hungry Families Access Food Benefits
Since the beginning of the economic downturn, demand for public food benefits has risen across the country. Here in Washington State, a proportionally higher number of residents are applying for public assistance in feeding their families. The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is the local administrator of public benefits and they estimate that nearly 3,000 people a day apply for food benefits.
While there are many wonderful organizations working to get food to hungry families and assist individuals receiving public benefits, there are also thousands of individuals who never apply for government assistance to which they are entitled, thousands who are erroneously denied benefits, and thousands who appear without representation before administrative judges in an effort to keep much-needed benefits.
There is a real and pressing need for improved administration of food benefits and to increase the number of successful applicants and diminish the number of individuals erroneously removed from benefit rolls.
How Washington Appleseed is Helping
Washington Appleseed has teamed up with Garvey Schubert & Barer and the Northwest Justice Project to take on hunger in Washington State. This summer, our food benefits team will explore the mechanics of the food benefit system and all of the non-governmental organizations that work to support it. Based on the resulting information, we will draft a pilot program to address some of the missing pieces of the puzzle and help harness the potential of the pro bono community to end hunger in our state.
Specifically, we will look at how pro bono attorneys can help increase successful applications for food benefits and help either prevent administrative hearings or connect beneficiaries with advocates to assist with their representation.
Latest News
The food benefits team is interviewing sources at Solid Ground, Food Lifeline, DSHS and other primary service providers to identify where the system is working well and where we will be able to help.
Pro Bono and Community Partners