Washington State Department of Social and Health Services
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1969
- HeadquartersOlympia, United States
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
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.
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services firmographics
Firmographics- 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
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services industry classification
Industry- 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
Where Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Olympia
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- 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
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services product offering
Product offeringCore 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.
Companies that use Washington State Department of Social and Health Services
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability4 records
Feature2 records
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- The Salvation ArmycoreData 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 ParadigmcoreData 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 RoboticscoreIntuition 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 AgingflagshipConducted 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
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect 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
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services social profiles
Digital presenceWashington State Department of Social and Health Services compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries7 records
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&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
What does Washington State Department of Social and Health Services do?
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.
Is Washington State Department of Social and Health Services a public or private company?
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Washington State Department of Social and Health Services founded?
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services was founded in 1969. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is Washington State Department of Social and Health Services based?
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is headquartered in Olympia, United States, in the North America region.
How does Washington State Department of Social and Health Services make money?
One revenue line is on record: government Appropriated Funding.
Who are Washington State Department of Social and Health Services's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are California Department of Social Services (CDSS), California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) and Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS). New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Washington State Department of Social and Health Services have an API?
No public API is recorded for Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.
What industry is Washington State Department of Social and Health Services in?
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services's product category is Government Social and Health Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAJAAAA, State/Provincial/Regional Health Departments, with a secondary code of BPAIAKAH, Healthcare-Linked Social Benefits Administration (e.g., Medicaid/Means-Tested Health Coverage). Its NAICS code is 6242 and its SIC code is 8300.