If you’re looking for prescription assistance in Washington State, then you’ve come to the right place! Too many low income people today have to choose between lifesaving medications and keeping a roof over their heads. Nobody should ever have to make that choice.
I first assembled this list of resources clear back in March 2016. My family had been driving through Tacoma when we saw a man clutching a haggard sign declaring that he couldn’t afford his medication. It absolutely broke my heart. We handed him a business card and promised that we would soon have a list of places he could turn for help.
It’s been eight years since then. We’ve recently refreshed this list to make sure that everything is accurate and up-to-date. We regularly update our posts for accuracy and you can see the last revision date in the “modified date” above.
But let’s get right to the good news. There are many statewide programs and local organizations that provide help with prescription costs in Washington State. Let’s dive right into the list!
Statewide WA Prescription Assistance Programs
No matter where you live in Washington State, these prescription assistance programs can help you afford your medications!
Apple Health
Low income residents of Washington State can get free medications through Apple Health. That’s Washington State’s name for their Medicaid Program.
In addition to prescription assistance, Apple Health can also cover your doctor’s visits, hospital stays, and even help you with transportation to and from your medical appointments.
You can apply for Medicaid online or at your local Home & Community Services (HCS) office.
Discount Prescription Cards
You could get a huge discount on your prescriptions – and your pet’s prescriptions, too! There are many companies that offer discount prescription cards, including GoodRX and National Prescription Drug Card. When you show these cards at the pharmacy, you can get a great deal on your meds!
I’m a big fan of GoodRX. A few years ago, we had an issue where the VA did not refill my husband’s medications in time. He was going to miss six doses of a critical medication before his refill arrived, so we needed to purchase it ourselves. We were shocked when we went to Walmart and found out that those pills were going to cost $80 each! Since my husband doesn’t have health care coverage outside the VA, we weren’t sure what we were going to do. Fortunately, someone recommended that we try GoodRx and the results were astounding. We were able to buy the entire supply for $6. That’s a $6 total instead of $480!
It’s important to remember that a discount prescription card is not the same thing as insurance. However, it can save you a lot of money on your medications. These cards work at thousands of pharmacies across the United States and can be used an unlimited number of times.
Some popular prescription discount cards include:
- Good Rx
- National Prescription Drug Card
- Washington’s Prescription Discount Program
HIV Early Intervention Program
If you are HIV-positive, then you can receive prescription assistance with your HIV-related prescription drug costs! This program is called the Early Intervention Program and it’s part of Washington State’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program, also called ADAP.
This program can help you pay for your HIV-related medications. It can also help you acquire insurance or Medicaid coverage, offset your premium payments and help you get the health care that you need.
In order to qualify, you must be a low or moderate income Washington state resident with an HIV-seropositive diagnosis. Please visit the Washington State Department of Health website for more information.
Nationwide Prescription Assistance Programs
Remember, this list only addresses programs that are specific to Washington State. For even more federal government programs or nationwide charities that can help you with prescription medication costs, be sure to check out our nationwide prescription assistance program directory.
In that list, you’ll find details about programs like NORD, The PAN Foundation, MusiCares and more. These programs can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars, so you don’t want to miss out.
Don’t forget, you can also talk to a doctor right now if you have an urgent, personal medical question. Our friends at Ask a Doctor are standing by to help. Talk to a pharmacist online now!
Charities & Nonprofits that Help Pay for Meds
There are many organizations that help pay for meds in Washington State. Some of these organizations may be able to help you, but remember that policies and procedures vary by location. Even if the organization provides prescription assistance in one city, they may not offer it in another. You’ll need to contact each organization to verify what they offer in your area.
Community Action Agencies
Community Action Agencies are incredible resources. They can help you connect with a variety of community programs, including programs like LIHEAP. Every CAA I’ve ever contacted has had access to a detailed list of resources in the nearby area, so they may also be able to help you find prescription assistance as well.
Some CAA organizations may provide direct assistance with medication costs as well. For example, the Benton Franklin Community Action Committee provides prescription assistance once every 12 months for those who qualify!
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army does offer a variety of emergency assistance programs that can help individuals and families during hard times, which may include help with prescription drug costs among other types of assistance like utility bills, rent, and food. The specific types of assistance available, including help with prescription costs, can vary by location and are designed to meet the local needs.
If you’re looking for prescription assistance in Washington State, it’s important to reach out to your local Salvation Army directly. They can provide information on the specific programs and services available in your area, including any assistance with prescription medications.
Sea Mar Community Health Clinics
Sea Mar Homeless/Outreach Services provides prescription assistance to low income patients and clients. They can also help those who are homeless, work as migrant or seasonal farmworkers, or those who have no income or insurance to help cover the cost of their prescriptions.
There are Sea Mar Community Health Centers in many communities across Washington State. They can be found in Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Franklin, Grays harbor, Island, King, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston and Whatcom Counties.
In order to get help, you’ll need to contact Sea Mar directly.
St. Vincent de Paul
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a priceless resource for financial assistance in Washington. If you need help with prescription assistance, your nearest SVdP may be able to help you get the medications you need.
This is also a great place to go if you need help with clothing, utilities, rent, furniture or other basic needs as well.
Veterans Assistance Funds
Washington State has a robust network of Veterans Assistance Funds that can help veterans and their families with basic expenses, including prescription assistance. If you need help buying medications and you have a veteran in your household, this is a great way to get help.
To find the Veterans Assistance Fund in your county, you’ll need to visit the list on the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs website and search for your county. That will give you the address and the link to the fund website so that you can get more information.
Local WA Prescription Assistance Programs
I found many, many local agencies that will help you get your prescriptions if you can’t afford them. To keep the list easy to browse, I’ve organized them alphabetically by county.
Benton County
Community Action Connections Home Base Center provides prescription assistance once per year. Call (509) 786-3379 or visit the Prosser location for more information.
Clallam County
Olympic Community Action Programs serve low income Clallam and Jefferson County residents. When you contact OCAP, ask them about the Peninsula Home Fund for help with your meds, utilities, public transportation expenses, gas and other needs.
Clark County
Free Clinic of Southwest Washington provides assistance once per year to low income and uninsured Clark County residents. In order to get prescription assistance from this organization, you will need to be seen by their doctors so that they can prescribe you the medication. They do not provide vouchers to cover birth control, pain medications or narcotics. Visit their website for details.
Cowlitz County
FISH of Cowlitz County provides help to Cowlitz County residents who do not have prescription coverage. They can purchase up to $300 in prescriptions for those who cannot afford it. However, this is for emergencies only, so it’s one-time only and not ongoing. Visit their website for details.
Franklin County
Community Action Connections Home Base Center provides prescription assistance once per year. Call (509) 786-3379 or visit the Prosser location for more information.
Grays Harbor County
Coastal Community Action Program may be able to provide assistance with prescriptions if you are not able to get help anywhere else. They work with the United Way to offer the Community Emergency Fund, which is used as a resource of last resort for those who can’t get help elsewhere with emergency needs.
Island County
Friends of Friends Medical Support Fund assists residents of South Whidbey who need help with medical expenses like labs, hospital visits or prescription assistance. This is a very limited program that only serves people who live in the South Whidbey zip codes of 98236, 98249, 98253 and 98260. To get help, simply fill out the form on the Friends of Friends website.
North Whidbey Medical Help provides short-term prescription assistance and other medical support for low income people who live in the 98277 and 98278 zip codes. This program is operated by the North Whidbey Help House.
Small Miracles helps people who live in Coupeville School District boundaries with prescription assistance. You must live in 98289 or certain parts of 98277 in order to qualify. This program can provide help with your medical bills, prescription costs, and even ferry or gas expenses required to get to appointments. You can apply on their contact page.
Jefferson County
Olympic Community Action Programs serve low income Clallam and Jefferson County residents. When you contact OCAP, ask them about the Peninsula Home Fund for help with your meds, utilities, public transportation expenses, gas vouchers and other needs.
King County
Plateau Outreach Ministries provides prescription assistance vouchers. They can also provide help with rent, utilities, shelter, fuel and other needs. This program serves everyone who lives in Black Diamond, Buckley, Carbonado, Enumclaw, Greenwater, South Prairie and Wilkeson. You can email, call, or fill out the form on their website to get started.
HopeLink can provide prescription assistance and other forms of financial assistance. They can help with rent, food, transportation and so much more. My family received help with move-in costs from HopeLink when we were at risk of homelessness in 2007. This organization covers most of King County, with locations in Bellevue, Carnation, Kirkland, Redmond, Shoreline and more. Contact Hopelink for more information.
Vashon Youth & Family Services provides assistance to low income families and children on Vashon Island. One of the services they offer is medical vouchers, which can be redeemed at Vashon Pharmacy and other Island medical providers. You must live on either Vashon Island or Maury Island to qualify. Contact VYFS for more information about how they can help you.
Pacific County
Coastal Community Action Program may be able to provide assistance with prescriptions if you are not able to get help anywhere else. They work with the United Way to offer the Community Emergency Fund, which is used as a resource of last resort for those who can’t get help elsewhere with emergency needs.
Pierce County
All Saints Community Services can help low income Puyallup area residents and homeless people with medications. You will need to provide both proof of household income and a signed prescription. This assistance can only be used once per year. You’ll need to contact them directly for assistance.
Plateau Outreach Ministries provides prescription assistance vouchers. They can also provide help with rent, utilities, shelter, fuel and other needs. This program serves everyone who lives in Black Diamond, Buckley, Carbonado, Enumclaw, Greenwater, South Prairie and Wilkeson. You can email, call, or fill out the form on their website to get started.
St. Leo’s Parish offers prescription assistance for medication co-pays. They do not assist with narcotics or pain medications. You will be required to make and attend an appointment before you can receive help. Contact St. Leo’s Parish for details.
Saint Martin of Tours offers limited prescription assistance. They can also assist with rent and utilities. You must live within the parish boundaries, which include part of 98424, 98354 and 98422. In order to request help, call St. Martin of Tours at (253) 970-9037 and leave a message.
Spokane County
Cheney Outreach Services provides prescription assistance through their Direct Emergency Assistance Program. This program can also help with gas vouchers, bus passes and other needs as well. serves low income residents of Cheney who reside within the Cheney School District Boundaries. Contact the Outreach Services office for details.
Partners INW provides prescription assistance and help with other essential needs, like medical equipment. You will need to make an Emergency Assistance appointment with them to get assistance.
Relief Recap
There are many organizations that provide free prescription assistance in Washington State! From Sea Mar’s Community Clinics to one-time $300 prescription purchase vouchers, this list has covered all of the prescription assistance programs that our research team has found in Washington State. Contact the providers on this list for help with your medication costs.
Nicole Thelin
Nicole is the founder and lead researcher of Low Income Relief. After a personal experience with poverty and homelessness following her husband's sudden medical discharge from the U.S. Army, Nicole discovered the life-changing impact of community resources. This experience ignited her passion for empowering others to navigate similar crises. Nicole launched her writing career at age 16, working for various newspapers and publications. Her commitment to in-depth research and accessible content has been recognized by Google for Publishers and other industry leaders. For over 20 years, she has applied her investigative skills to uncover the most helpful, up-to-date information on benefits programs and community resources, ensuring Low Income Relief maintains the most extensive resource databases available.