Eligibility

An individual may qualify for BFET if they receive Basic Food Assistance and meet the following requirements:

•      Is age 16 or older (see Youth Services for additional requirements for 16–21-year-olds) and

•      Is able to work or participate at least 20 hours per week.

o  For participants with a verified disability, such as active SSI recipients or temporary workers compensation recipients, you will use the participant’s statement or participant provided documentation to determine BFET eligibility.

An individual is not eligible to receive BFET services if they:

•      Receives State-funded Food Assistance Program (FAP) benefits or

•      Receives Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA)* or other cash assistance under Title IV such as Tribal TANF.

*RCA recipients are not eligible for BFET with one exception. RCA recipients may receive BFET services from community colleges if they reside in an area of WA in which there is no DSHS ORIA-contracted LEP Pathway provider.

The following are counties in which there is at least one DSHS ORIA-contracted LEP Pathway provider. RCA recipients may not receive BFET services from college providers in these counties, although exceptions may be made under extenuating circumstances. Extenuating circumstances may include limited ORIA provider capacity, client needing activity not available from the ORIA provider, and/or distance from the provider.

Region 1:

•      Spokane County

•      Benton County

•      Franklin County

Region 2:

•      King County

•      Snohomish County

•      Whatcom County

•      Skagit County

Region 3:

•      Clark County

•      Pierce County

•      Thurston County

The BFET program has implemented a process for colleges once they receive notice of a potential RCA recipient’s interest in their BFET program.

Non-covered Services

•      4-year College degree

•      Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degrees

•      Associate in arts Direct Transfer Agreement (AA-DTA)

•      On the job training wages

•      Workfare or

•      Stipends provided in certain training programs.

For DSHS ORIA Contracted Providers

Providers with only DSHS ORIA contracts can provide services to LEP refugee and immigrant participants who are non-US citizens or (naturalized) US Citizens.