Default Font Size Icon

Basic Food Employment and Training

Program Overview

Are you receiving Basic Food assistance (SNAP)? The Basic Food Employment and Training (BFET) program can help you get the training you need for a better paying job and economic security. The program is a partnership between the Department of Social and Health Services, community and technical colleges, and community-based organizations.

The Basic Food Employment and Training program (BFET) provides services to federal Basic Food assistance recipients in Washington state. Services provided include job search assistance, education and skills training, English language instruction, and in certain cases, support for tuition, childcare, housing, supplies, and other related expenses.

If you think you might qualify for the BFET program, please fill out out our Interest Survey and one of our staff members will contact you.

Student Grants Center staff are mandatory reporters and must report any suspected public benefits fraud (1-800-562-6906) as well as child, youth, and family abuse (1-866-363-4276).

You may qualify if:

  • You receive or are eligible to receive federal food assistance, which in Washington state is called Basic Food or SNAP. Some people refer to it by the general name "food stamps."
  • You are pursuing or would like to pursue a professional/technical degree or certificate program, a high school diploma, or English language acquisition classes at WVC.
  • You are not receiving TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families). If your household is currently receiving TANF benefits, you may be eligible for another program to support your education called WorkFirst.
  • If you or your household is $0 eligible for food benefits, you may still be eligible for the BFET program.
 You may be able to receive:
  • Personal assessment and career planning.
  • Tuition assistance applied to a vocational certificate or non-transfer associate degree. BFET does not apply to transfer degrees or four-year degrees.
  • Adult education for foundational skills in reading, writing and math.
  • English language instruction.
  • High School+ , a high school completion program for students over age 18.
  • Case management.
  • Support services for childcare, housing, transportation, clothing, supplies and other job-related expenses.

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English.  Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (833) 620-1071, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to:

  1. mail:
    Food and Nutrition Service, USDA
    1320 Braddock Place, Room 334
    Alexandria, VA 22314; or
  2. fax:
    (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
  3. email:
    FNSCIVILRIGHTSCOMPLAINTS@usda.gov


This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

De acuerdo con la ley federal de derechos civiles y las normas y políticas de derechos civiles del Departamento de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos (USDA), esta entidad está prohibida de discriminar por motivos de raza, color, origen nacional, sexo (incluyendo identidad de género y orientación sexual), credo religioso, discapacidad, edad, creencias políticas, o represalia o retorsión por actividades previas de derechos civiles.

La información sobre el programa puede estar disponible en otros idiomas que no sean el inglés. Personas con discapacidad que requieran medios alternos de comunicación para obtener información sobre el programa (por ejemplo, Braille, letra grande, cinta de audio, lenguaje de señas americano), debe ponerse en contacto con la agencia (estatal o local) donde solicitaron los beneficios. Las personas sordas, con dificultades auditivas o con discapacidades del habla pueden comunicarse con el USDA a través del Servicio Federal de Retransmisión al (800) 877- 8339.

Para presentar una queja por discriminación en el programa, el reclamante debe llenar un formulario AD-3027, formulario de queja por discriminación en el programa del USDA que puede obtenerse en línea en: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027s.pdf, en cualquier oficina del USDA, llamando al (833) 620-1071, o escribiendo una carta dirigida al USDA. La carta debe contener el nombre del demandante, la dirección, el número de teléfono y una descripción escrita de la acción discriminatoria alegada con suficiente detalle para informar al Subsecretario de Derechos Civiles (ASCR) sobre la naturaleza y fecha de una presunta violación de derechos civiles. El formulario AD-3027 completado o la carta debe presentarse por:

  1. correo:
    Food and Nutrition Service, USDA
    1320 Braddock Place, Room 334
    Alexandria, VA 22314; o
  2. fax:
    (833)-256-1665, o (202)-690-7442; o
  3. correo electrónico:
    FNSCIVILRIGHTSCOMPLAINTS@usda.gov

Esta institución es un proveedor que brinda igualdad de oportunidades.

If you have questions or would like to speak to a Student Grants Center staff member, please reach out to a staff member listed below or email our department at StudentGrantsCenter@wvc.edu

Mary Adamski
Student Navigator
(509) 682-6613
madamski@wvc.edu

Dalia Hernandez
Student Navigator
(509) 682-6965
dhernandezfarias@wvc.edu

Erika Schenkvonstauffenberg
Student Grants Center Coordinator
(509) 682-6964
eschenkvonstauffenberg@wvc.edu