EBT restrictions (Washington)

Vanessa Nason filed this request with the Department of Social and Health services of Washington.
Status
Completed

Communications

From: Vanessa Nason

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to RCW Ch. 42.56 (Public Records Act), I hereby request the following records:

–Specific foods, products, or services that cannot be purchased using EBT cards
–Types of establishments that do not accept EBT cards (for example, jewelry stores, firearms dealers, etc.)

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as we believe this request is in the public interest, as suggested but not stipulated by the recommendations of the Massachusetts Supervisor of Public Records. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.

I expect the request to be filled in an accessible format, including for screen readers, which provide text-to-speech for persons unable to read print. Files that are not accessible to screen readers include, for example, .pdf image files as well as physical documents.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days, as the statute requires.

Please note that I am a citizen of Arkansas, and am using MuckRock's services to help manage and track my request.

Sincerely,

Vanessa Nason

From: DSHS Public Disclosure

Dear Vanessa Nason,

This email responds to your below request. It appears you are seeking information about EBT benefits and restrictions. Food benefits are administered by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Below are several links that provide information you may find helpful in addressing your questions. If we have misinterpreted your request and you are seeking other types of records please notify our office. If we do not receive a response from you within two weeks we will assume the below information is sufficient. If you have any questions, please let us know. Thank you.

DSHS Basic Food Website: https://www.dshs.wa.gov/esa/community-services-offices/basic-food
Foodhelp Basic Food/SNAP Website: http://foodhelp.wa.gov/basic_food.htm
Washington Basic Food program eligibility: http://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=388-400-0040
US Department of Agriculture SNAP Eligible Food Items: https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/eligible-food-items
US Department of Agriculture SNAP Retail Food Stores and Farmers Markets: https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/retailer-apply

Natasha House / Public Records Officer / Information Governance
Services and Enterprise Support Administration
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services
(O) 360-902-8484 / DSHSPublicDisclosure@dshs.wa.gov<mailto:DSHSPublicDisclosure@dshs.wa.gov>
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