What are SNAP Quality Control Reviews?
The federal government requires all states to complete quality control reviews for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, also known as Basic Food in Washington state. These reviews make sure Washington’s Department of Social and Health Services follows federal rules when processing SNAP applications, changes and renewals so that households get the right amount of benefits. If we don’t complete the reviews, we will lose federal funding for the SNAP program. You can learn more about SNAP QC reviews on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's website or WAC 388-464-0001.
We use the results of QC reviews to help improve the SNAP program in Washington state. The QC team works separately from other DSHS employees who process SNAP benefits. If you get a letter from the QC review team, it is important that you respond to that letter as well as any other letters you get from DSHS. To be consistent with federal rules we use the words “cooperate” and “cooperation” regarding QC. When we use these words, we also mean “participate” and “participation”.
Important:
- If you are selected for a QC review, you are not in trouble. You do need to cooperate with the review process.
- If you don’t cooperate with the review process, your household’s SNAP benefits will stop until you complete the review.
Why was I selected for review?
When you apply for SNAP, you are notified of your responsibility to cooperate with Quality Control reviews. QC cases are randomly selected from all households that are actively receiving SNAP each month. It is not because we have special questions about your case.
What do I need to know about completing an interview?
If you are chosen for review, you must cooperate with QC for your household to keep receiving benefits. You will have an interview with a QC reviewer as part of the process. You cannot complete the interview with other state employees because the QC team works separately.
Most interviews take place over the phone. You also have the option of completing it in person or by video through Microsoft Teams. You can contact your assigned reviewer to discuss the best option for you. Their contact information is in the appointment letter we sent you.
Once your interview is scheduled, we will send you a letter with the date and time. We will also call you and send text reminders of the appointment. Your appointment letter will include a list of items you will need to have ready. If you can’t provide all of the information requested in the letter, your reviewer will let you know what else you need to do after the interview.
During the interview, we ask questions about the timeframe noted in your appointment letter. You might need to provide verification or more information. When you apply for benefits, we can accept your verbal statement about details like where you live, who you live with, and housing and utility costs when you apply for benefits. However, the QC team must verify the information. The reviewer will attempt to call third parties, such as employers, for verification during your interview.
If you need help finding the information the QC team requests, you can sign the release of information document included with your appointment letter. Doing so will allow the reviewer to help you. If the reviewer is unable to verify by phone, you will receive a letter letting you know what information you will need to provide. If you don’t provide the information, the reviewer will try to contact the source directly to obtain it.
If you want to confirm or reschedule your interview, contact your assigned reviewer. The letter we sent you provides contact information for the QC team. Contact information is also available below.
How does this review fit in with other Mid-Certification or Eligibility Reviews?
The QC review is separate from other DSHS processes. You still need to respond to MCR notices, Eligibility Review notices and requests for verification.
QC reviewers can’t complete MCRs or Eligibility Reviews or make changes to your case. You can report changes in your case here.
What happens to my benefits if I don’t cooperate?
The QC team must attempt to complete the review even if you don’t cooperate.
Your household’s benefits will close if you don’t cooperate with your QC review. You won’t be eligible for benefits again until you complete the review or until 125 days after the end of the annual review period. The end date of the annual review period can be found on notices sent by QC or in WAC 388-464-0001.
If your benefits close, you will still need to cooperate with the QC reviewer and potentially submit a new application with DSHS. If you are unsure what is needed to cooperate in the QC review, contact your assigned reviewer or the QC team at qcreviews@dshs.wa.gov or 800-473-5664.
What kind of verification do I need to provide?
The reviewer will try to help you get the needed verification during the interview by placing calls. After the interview, you will receive a letter asking for any missing verification items. Please submit the requested documents by the due date in the letter so you don’t lose your benefits.
You can provide documents in several ways:
- Email them to qcreviews@dshs.wa.gov.
- Fax them to 206-720-3199.
- Mail them in the prepaid envelope included in the letter to:
State of Washington
Dept. of Social and Health Services
Division of Program Integrity
PO Box 11699
Tacoma, WA 98411-9905
Please only send documents requested by your reviewer. If you need additional prepaid envelopes, please contact us.
Your reviewer’s contact information is in all the letters we send you. If you can’t find it, please contact us by email at qcreviews@dshs.wa.gov or by phone at 800-473-5664. Contact your reviewer to get another copy of anything we sent to you.
Contact Information
Contact the Quality Control Team
Phone: 800-473-5664
Email: qcreviews@dshs.wa.gov
Fax: 206-720-3199
Find forms requested by your QC reviewer at the links below.
English
DPI College Financial Aid Request
DPI Dividend and Interest Request
DPI Statement of Shared Housing Costs
DPI Statement of Earnings
DPI Statement of Income
DPI Tribal Income Verification
DPI Authorization for Release of Information
Cambodian
DPI College Financial Aid Request
DPI Dividend and Interest Request
DPI Statement of Shared Housing Costs
DPI Statement of Earnings
DPI Statement of Income
DPI Tribal Income Verification
DPI Authorization for Release of Information
Chinese
DPI College Financial Aid Request
DPI Dividend and Interest Request
DPI Statement of Shared Housing Costs
DPI Statement of Earnings
DPI Statement of Income
DPI Tribal Income Verification
DPI Authorization for Release of Information
Korean
DPI College Financial Aid Request
DPI Dividend and Interest Request
DPI Statement of Shared Housing Costs
DPI Statement of Earnings
DPI Statement of Income
DPI Tribal Income Verification
DPI Authorization for Release of Information
Lao
DPI College Financial Aid Request
DPI Dividend and Interest Request
DPI Statement of Shared Housing Costs
DPI Statement of Earnings
DPI Statement of Income
DPI Tribal Income Verification
DPI Authorization for Release of Information
Russian
DPI College Financial Aid Request
DPI Dividend and Interest Request
DPI Statement of Shared Housing Costs
DPI Statement of Earnings
DPI Statement of Income
DPI Tribal Income Verification
DPI Authorization for Release of Information
Somali
DPI College Financial Aid Request
DPI Dividend and Interest Request
DPI Statement of Shared Housing Costs
DPI Statement of Earnings
DPI Statement of Income
DPI Tribal Income Verification
DPI Authorization for Release of Information
Spanish
DPI College Financial Aid Request
DPI Dividend and Interest Request
DPI Statement of Shared Housing Costs
DPI Statement of Earnings
DPI Statement of Income
DPI Tribal Income Verification
DPI Authorization for Release of Information
Vietnamese
DPI College Financial Aid Request
DPI Dividend and Interest Request
DPI Statement of Shared Housing Costs
DPI Statement of Earnings
DPI Statement of Income
DPI Tribal Income Verification
DPI Authorization for Release of Information