Washington state to shut down online benefits portals, statewide call centers for IT upgrade

Shauna Sowersby
·1 min read

Washington residents who use online portals to apply for food assistance, cash assistance and healthcare won’t be able to do so Aug. 11-16 because the state is upgrading technology.

The Washington Connection portals will be down from 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11, through 8 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16, to complete upgrades for the Automated Client Eligibility System.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ in-person Community Services Offices, Customer Service Contact Center, Home and Community Services Financial Services, and the Developmental Disabilities Administration Long-Term Care Financial Call Centers also will be closed from Aug. 14-15.

While ProviderOne will be available, adding or updating Apple Health eligibility will not be available.

The Health Care Authority’s main call center will still be available to take general questions. The Washington Healthplanfinder and its call center will remain open during the upgrades.

Individuals who need assistance during the upgrades can call 211 or go to wa211.org for connections to other resources.