Free, plain-English help for seniors and families in Washington. Education, not advice. Verify before you rely on it.
Start here (works anywhere in Washington)
- 211 (dial 2-1-1) for local rent, utility, food, and medical help, 24/7
- Eldercare Locator 1-800-677-1116, the federal front door to your Area Agency on Aging
- BenefitsCheckUp.org screens you for every benefit you may qualify for
- Medicare 1-800-633-4227 | Social Security 1-800-772-1213 | VA Benefits 1-800-827-1000
- Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline 1-800-272-3900 | National Elder Fraud Hotline 1-833-372-8311 | Crisis Lifeline 988
Free Medicare counseling (Washington SHIBA)
Washington's program is SHIBA (Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors), run by the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner. Free, unbiased, confidential one-on-one Medicare counseling, plan comparisons, and help with assistance programs and fraud questions. Call the Insurance Consumer Hotline at 1-800-562-6900 (Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) and ask for your local SHIBA office. Online: insurance.wa.gov (Medicare section).
Medicaid in Washington
Washington Medicaid is called Apple Health, run by the Health Care Authority. Most people apply through Washington Healthplanfinder (wahealthplanfinder.org) or by calling 1-855-923-4633. Seniors 65+ and people who need long-term services and supports apply through washingtonconnection.org or their local DSHS Community Services Office. Apple Health questions: 1-800-562-3022 (TTY 711). Apple Health can help pay Medicare premiums and long-term care costs for those who qualify.
Prescription help
Washington does not run a general statewide pharmaceutical assistance program (SPAP) for seniors. Start with Medicare's Extra Help / Low-Income Subsidy (apply through Social Security, 1-800-772-1213) and screen for drug-cost programs at BenefitsCheckUp.org. SHIBA counselors (1-800-562-6900) can walk you through Part D and Extra Help.
Energy and utility help
Washington's LIHEAP program is run by the Washington State Department of Commerce and delivered through 27 local community action agencies. You apply with the agency serving your county, not the state. Find your local provider on the Commerce LIHEAP page (commerce.wa.gov, search LIHEAP) or dial 211 and ask for energy assistance. The program helps with heating bills, energy crises, and weatherization.
Property tax relief (Washington)
Washington's senior program is the Senior Citizen and People with Disabilities Property Tax Exemption, applied for through your county assessor.
- Eligibility starts at age 61 (by December 31 of the assessment year), or retirement due to disability, for a primary residence you own and occupy.
- Here is the part most people miss: the income limit is different in every county, set as a share of that county's median household income. Recent examples: roughly $84,000 in King County and about $50,000 in Spokane County for 2026. Your county's number is the only one that matters.
- Qualifying homeowners get a reduction in assessed value and are exempted from certain levies; the home's taxable value is also frozen as of the qualifying year.
- Washington ALSO offers a separate property tax deferral for seniors (the state pays the tax and places a lien, repaid when the home is sold or the owner passes). A deferral is a postponed bill, not forgiveness, so understand it before signing.
- Apply with your county assessor, and check your county's current income threshold on the Department of Revenue's threshold tables at dor.wa.gov.
Food, in-home help, caregiver, transportation, and legal help
Washington's Area Agencies on Aging (overseen by DSHS Aging and Long-Term Support Administration) handle home-delivered meals, in-home care, caregiver support, and senior transportation. Find yours through the Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116) or by dialing 211. For free civil legal help, ask your Area Agency on Aging or 211 for the legal aid office serving your county (CLEAR, Washington's legal aid hotline, serves much of the state).
Frequently asked questions
What is Washington's SHIP program? It's called SHIBA, Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors, run by the Office of the Insurance Commissioner. Free Medicare counseling, reached through 1-800-562-6900.
Does Washington offer senior property tax relief? Yes, the Senior Citizen and People with Disabilities Property Tax Exemption, starting at age 61. The income limit varies by county (set from county median income), so check your county assessor's current threshold. A separate deferral program is also available.
How do Washington seniors get help with heating bills? Through LIHEAP, run by the Department of Commerce and delivered by 27 local community action agencies. Dial 211 or check the Commerce LIHEAP page to find your local provider.
How do I apply for Washington Medicaid? Apple Health: most apply at wahealthplanfinder.org; seniors 65+ and long-term care applicants use washingtonconnection.org or their local DSHS office.
Sources
- WA Office of the Insurance Commissioner, SHIBA: https://www.insurance.wa.gov/insurance-resources/medicare/get-free-medicare-help-shiba . Verified June 5, 2026.
- WA Health Care Authority, Apple Health: https://www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/programs-and-initiatives/apple-health-medicaid and contact page: https://www.hca.wa.gov/free-or-low-cost-health-care/contact-washington-apple-health-medicaid . Verified June 5, 2026.
- WA Department of Commerce, LIHEAP: https://www.commerce.wa.gov/community-opportunities/liheap/ . Verified June 5, 2026.
- WA Department of Revenue, senior/disabled exemption and income thresholds: https://dor.wa.gov/taxes-rates/property-tax/property-tax-exemption-seniors-people-retired-due-disability-and-veterans-disabilities and https://dor.wa.gov/taxes-rates/property-tax/senior-citizens-and-people-disabilities-exemption-and-deferred-income-thresholds . Verified June 5, 2026.