Washington State Department of Social and Health Services

What Washington State Department of Social and Health Services does

The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is the largest state agency in Washington, established in 1969 by the Washington State Legislature through the merger of the Department of Public Assistance and the Department of Institutions. Headquartered in Olympia, DSHS employs 10,000+ people and serves nearly one in four Washington citizens, primarily low-income individuals and families, seniors, people with disabilities, and disaster-affected residents. Its portfolio spans food assistance (SNAP/Basic Food and the newly launched SUN Bucks program), cash assistance (TANF), medical coverage (Apple Health/Medicaid), housing assistance, child support enforcement, vocational rehabilitation, developmental disabilities services, behavioral health (including state hospitals), long-term care, and disaster recovery.

DSHS delivers services through seven internal administrations: Aging and Long-Term Support Administration (ALTSA), Behavioral Health Administration (BHA), Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA), Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), Economic Services Administration (ESA), Facilities, Finance and Analytics Administration (FFA), and the Office of the Secretary. Distribution is multi-channel: physical community services offices statewide, online self-service portals (Washington Connection for applications, MyWaBenefits for status tracking), TTY/relay phone services, and ad-hoc Disaster Assistance Centers. The department has integrated AI-driven health technology through a partnership with Intuition Robotics, deploying the ElliQ care companion under a Medicaid reimbursement pathway that is the first of its kind in the United States, and uses the SAHelp.org platform (Data Paradigm) for disaster recovery case management.

The revenue model is governmental appropriation rather than commercial sales. DSHS is funded through state and federal tax revenues, including congressional appropriations and state budgets, and provides services at no cost to eligible beneficiaries. The agency is exposed to federal policy changes, most notably H.R. 1 legislation flagged by DSHS as having a deep impact on SNAP and Apple Health. Day-to-day operations are directed by Secretary Angela Ramirez, who in May 2026 introduced priorities around People Power, Community Engagement, and Results-Driven Services.

Name

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services

Legal name

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services

Website

https://dshs.wa.gov

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

DSHS is Washington State's largest state agency, delivering social and health services — including food, cash, Medicaid, housing, long-term care, and disaster recovery — to roughly one in four Washington residents through seven administrations, funded by state and federal appropriations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Social and Health Services

NAICS

Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Individual and Family Services (6241), Social Assistance (624), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

State/Provincial/Regional Health Departments (HLAJAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Healthcare-Linked Social Benefits Administration (e.g., Medicaid/Means-Tested Health Coverage) (BPAIAKAH), Food & Nutrition Assistance Programs (BPAIAKAF), Government Program Administrative Services (Medicare/Medicaid ASO/TPA) (HLAEALAO), Government Public Health Grantmaking & Program Offices (HLAJALAA)

Keywords

• Social services administration
• Public health assistance
• Medicaid benefits management
• Long-term care services
• Behavioral health programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Olympia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Appropriated Funding: DSHS operates as a state government agency funded through federal and state tax revenues. The department distributes benefits including SNAP food assistance (called Basic Food), Medicaid (Apple Health), TANF, child care subsidies, and disaster assistance, all funded through congressional appropriations and state budgets.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is the largest state agency in Washington, delivering safety-net social and health programs to residents. Its core offerings include food assistance (SNAP/Basic Food), cash assistance (TANF), medical coverage (Apple Health/Medicaid), housing assistance, child support services, vocational rehabilitation, adult long-term care, behavioral health, and developmental disability services. Programs are administered through internal divisions (ALTSA, BHA, DDA, DVR, ESA, FFA) and delivered via community offices, online portals (Washington Connection, MyWaBenefits), and disaster assistance centers.

Product overview

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is a government social services agency offering a comprehensive portfolio of assistance programs organized into administrative units. The core services include Food/Cash/Medical benefits (including SUN Bucks, SNAP/food stamps called Basic Food, Apple Health/Medicaid, and TANF cash assistance), Housing Assistance, Child Support Services, Adult Care (long-term care, caregiver support), Mental Health Services, Disability Support, Vocational Rehabilitation, and Youth Services. DSHS operates through multiple administrative divisions: Aging and Long-Term Support Administration (ALTSA), Behavioral Health Administration (BHA), Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA), Economic Services Administration (ESA), Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), and Facilities, Finance and Analytics Administration (FFA). The department provides digital services through MyWABenefits (benefit tracking portal) and Washington Connection (online application system). The department has also implemented AI companion technology (ElliQ) in its Medicaid long-term services program for high-need aging populations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Food, Cash & Medical Benefits Government assistance programs providing food stamps/EBT (Basic Food/SNAP), cash assistance (TANF), and medical coverage (Apple Health/Medicaid) for eligible Washington residents.
• Housing Assistance Programs helping Washington residents find affordable housing, prevent or end homelessness, and access the Housing and Essential Needs Program.
• Child Support Services Division of Child Support services including payment processing, court order management, and enrollment for child support services.
• Vocational Rehabilitation Services for individuals with disabilities to help them achieve employment and independence, including contractors, tribal programs, and services for the deaf and hard of hearing.
• Adult Care Long-term care services, caregiver support, residential care facilities, and reporting of suspected abuse/neglect of vulnerable adults.
• Mental Health Services Mental health and behavioral health services including free or low-cost health insurance through the Health Care Authority.
• Disability Support Developmental disability information, Social Security Disability/SSI applications, and assistive technology services for deaf and hard of hearing individuals.
• Youth Services Youth services programs administered in coordination with the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) for child welfare and youth support.
• Washington Connection Online portal for applying for services including food, cash, and medical assistance.
• MyWaBenefits Portal Online portal for tracking benefit applications and managing benefits status. Available in English, Spanish, and Russian languages.
• Aging and Long-Term Support Administration (ALTSA) Administrative unit providing services that empower senior citizens and people with disabilities to remain independent and supported in settings of their choice, through person-centered case management and care planning.
• Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) Administrative unit managing state hospitals (Eastern State Hospital, Western State Hospital), Child Study and Treatment Center, and forensic mental health services.
• Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) Administrative unit administering programs to assist individuals with developmental disabilities and their families to obtain services based on individual preferences and needs.
• Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) Administrative unit providing services to individuals with disabilities to help them achieve employment goals and independence.
• Economic Services Administration (ESA) Administrative unit providing assistance with cash, food, child support, child care, disability determination, transition to employment, and related services to approximately one in four Washington citizens.
• Facilities, Finance and Analytics Administration (FFA) Administrative unit managing department facilities, financial operations, data analytics, research, budget, procurements, fraud accountability, and background checks.
• SAHelp.org Disaster Recovery Platform Centralized intake and case management system for disaster recovery assistance, enabling Washington residents to apply online, by phone, or in person at Disaster Assistance Centers.
• SUN Bucks Summer Food Assistance Summer food assistance program for eligible children, providing new SUN Bucks cards mailed automatically to recipients for summer 2026.
• ElliQ Smart Care Device AI-powered care robot deployed in the Medicaid long-term services and supports program for high-need populations aging at home. Generates 45+ daily interactions with older adults through natural conversation, providing continuous visibility into behavioral changes for care teams and health plans.

Named customers3 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• The Salvation ArmycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 January 2026Data Paradigm announced continued partnership with The Salvation Army and the State of Washington to support disaster recovery following December's historic flooding, using the SAHelp.org platform to distribute $2.5 million in state-funded disaster assistance. The Salvation Army participates in coordinated distribution efforts alongside state agencies and SAHelp.
• Data ParadigmcoreTechnology or Integration · 11 January 2026Data Paradigm provides the SAHelp.org platform as the official centralized intake and case management system for Washington's disaster recovery efforts, enabling residents to apply online, by phone, or in person for state-funded disaster assistance.
• Intuition RoboticscoreTechnology or IntegrationIntuition Robotics' AI-powered care robot ElliQ has been approved as a 'Smart Care Device' for eligible Washington state Medicaid recipients, making it the first state to establish a formal reimbursement pathway for AI-driven health technology. Following a successful 2023 pilot by the Olympic Area Agency on Aging in Grays Harbor and Pacific counties, Washington is now replicating this model statewide.
• Olympic Area Agency on AgingflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerConducted the successful 2023 pilot of ElliQ AI companion technology in Grays Harbor and Pacific counties, reporting that 95% of participants experienced reduced loneliness and engaged with the device an average of 60 times daily. This pilot led to the statewide Medicaid approval.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• California Department of Social Services (CDSS): California's state-level social services agency administering SNAP (CalFresh), CalWORKs (TANF), child support, child care, and adult programs. Most directly comparable in scope and structure to Washington DSHS' Economic Services Administration and child support functions.
• California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS): California's Medicaid (Medi-Cal) administrator, comparable to DSHS' role administering Apple Health (Medicaid). Both agencies handle managed care, long-term services and supports, and federal Medicaid waiver administration at state scale.
• Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS): Neighboring Pacific Northwest state agency administering SNAP, Medicaid, behavioral health, developmental disabilities, vocational rehabilitation, and aging services. Closest geographic and structural peer to Washington DSHS in program mix and population scale.
• New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA): Administers New York's SNAP (TAFDC/SNAP), temporary assistance, disability determination, and homeless housing programs. Direct functional peer to DSHS' Economic Services Administration with similar federal-state program structure.
• Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC): Texas's unified health and human services agency administering Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, child care, behavioral health, and long-term services. Comparable consolidated-agency model administering both health and social services at state scale.
• Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS): Pennsylvania's cabinet-level human services agency administering Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, child support, behavioral health, and developmental disabilities. Direct structural peer to Washington DSHS in scope and program mix.
• Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS): Illinois's state human services agency administering SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, child care, developmental disabilities, and behavioral health. Comparable in scale, program breadth, and structure to Washington DSHS.
• Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF): Florida's state agency administering SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, child welfare, behavioral health, and adult protective services. Comparable multi-administration structure to Washington DSHS' ESA, BHA, DDA, and ALTSA.
• Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS): Secretariat-level oversight for MassHealth (Medicaid), Department of Transitional Assistance (SNAP/TANF), Department of Developmental Services, and Department of Mental Health. Comparable consolidated human services governance model to Washington DSHS.

Emerging players

• New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA): Pilot partner for the ElliQ AI companion technology that informed Washington's 'Smart Care Device' Medicaid pathway. Comparable aging-in-place technology deployment model and the source of the 96% wellness improvement outcome cited in DSHS materials.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/waDSHS
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/WashingtonStateDSHS
• Facebookfacebook.com/WaStateDSHS
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/washingtondepartmentofsocialandhealthservices

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Washington State Department of Social and Health Services