Frequently Asked Questions
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Using Fresh Bucks
Where can I find account instructions in my preferred language?
Instructions for account setup and more are available in the most common languages Fresh Bucks supports.
አማርኛ (Amharic) العربية الفصحى (Arabic) 繁體中文 (Traditional Chinese) English 한국어 (Korean) ភាសាខ្មែរ (Khmer) ລາວ (Lao) Afaan Oromoo (Oromo) Русский язык (Russian) af Soomaali -اَف صَومالي˜ (Somali) Español (Spanish) Tagalog (Tagalog) ትግርኛ (Tigrinya) Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
How do I use my new Fresh Buck Card or app to buy fruits and vegetables?
You can use your Fresh Bucks Card or app to purchase fruits and vegetables at any participating retailer. At checkout, the cashier will scan the barcode on the back of the card or on the app, and the cost of your fruit and vegetable purchase will be deducted automatically from your account balance.
What is the Fresh Bucks app?
The Fresh Bucks app is another way you can purchase fruits and vegetables with your Fresh Bucks. Downloading the app is not required, but you can use it to check your benefit balance, review recent transactions, find a store near you, and more! To find the app, search “Healthy Savings” in the Apple App Store® or Google Play® Store.
Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the US and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Google Play is a trademark of Google Inc.
How much is loaded into my account each month?
The standard benefit is $40. Your Fresh Bucks account will be loaded with $40 on the 1st of each month. Your account is linked to your Fresh Bucks Card and app.
Any unused benefits will expire at the end of each month, so be sure to shop each month to maximize your benefits. You can check your benefits balance online or via the app.
Where can I shop with my Fresh Bucks Card or app?
You can use your Fresh Bucks Card or app at all participating Fresh Bucks retailers, which include Seattle farmers markets, independent grocers, and supermarkets.
What can I buy with my Fresh Bucks Card or app?
You can buy fresh fruits and vegetables at supermarkets, and fresh, frozen, canned, and dried fruits and vegetables (with no added fats, sugars, or salt) at farmers markets and independent grocers.
How do I check my balance?
To check your benefits balance, call 1-833-818-6782, or log in to your account or app and view your balance under the My Account tab. If you haven’t registered your account, click here and enter your 17-digit card number and 4-digit security code from the back of your card.
I lost my Fresh Bucks Card – how do I replace it?
If you lose your Fresh Bucks Card, please notify us right away and we can replace it. We will terminate the lost card and issue a new card to you. You can also login to your account to print a temporary card or use the app to make purchases. In the meantime, there are several ways you can continue to access your benefits:
- Login to your account and click on “Cards” to request a replacement card or print a temporary card.
- Use the app to make purchases! If you have not done so already, you can download the app by searching “Healthy Savings” in the Apple App Store® or Google Play® Store. With the app you can spend your benefits at participating retailers, check your benefit balance, review recent transactions, find a store near you, and more!
Are benefits transferable?
Fresh Bucks benefits are intended for your household. The Fresh Bucks Card is assigned to one member of your household, but anyone from your household can shop with it. Benefits are not transferable to other households.
Do my benefits expire?
Yes. Benefits that are not used will expire at the end of the month. Be sure to use your full monthly benefit by the end of each month.
What are Fresh Bucks policies?
Fresh Bucks values your participation and strives to provide the best experience for all our customers. To maintain the effectiveness and equitable distribution of resources within our program, we have established these program policies.
Moving & Logistics
I am not a Seattle resident – am I eligible for Fresh Bucks?
No. Fresh Bucks is funded by the City of Seattle, including from the Seattle Sweetened Beverage Tax. Only residents who live within the Seattle city limits qualify for the program. Use this tool to see if you live within the city limits.
I moved – how do I update my mailing address?
Please keep your address current with us! If your address changes, let us know as soon as possible. Email us at freshbucks@seattle.gov or call us at 206-256-5438 and provide the following:
- Full name (as it was entered on your application)
- Current address on file
- New address
Additionally, we encourage you submit a Change-of-Address update with USPS.
What if I have moved outside of the Seattle city limits?
Fresh Bucks is funded by the City of Seattle, including from the Seattle Sweetened Beverage Tax. Only residents who live within the Seattle city limits qualify to enroll in the program. Customers who enroll in the Fresh Bucks program as a Seattle resident and then move outside of the city will be removed from the program. Use this tool to see if you live within the city limits.
How do I get information in other languages?
Fresh Bucks information is available in 14 languages: አማርኛ, العربية, 简体中文, English, ខ្មែរ, 한국어, ລາວ, Afaan Oromoo, Русский, Soomaali, Español, Tagalog, ትግርኛ, Tiếng Việt.
You may request to have communication sent in your preferred language by emailing us at freshbucks@seattle.gov or calling 206-256-5438.
Waitlist Application FAQs:
View frequently asked questions about the application waitlist in: Amharic, Chinese (Simplified), Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
The Waitlist Application
What is the Fresh Bucks Waitlist Application?
The Fresh Bucks Waitlist Application is an opportunity for Seattle households to apply for a chance to receive $40/month in Fresh Bucks benefits. Income eligible Seattle residents who submit an application will be placed on a waitlist and will be notified of enrollment as budget becomes available.
How do I apply for the Fresh Bucks waitlist?
You can apply online through the Fresh Bucks website. The application will remain open for the foreseeable future so you can apply at any time.
What information do I need to apply?
The following information is required as a part of your application:
- How many people are in your household?
- What is your household income?
- What is your home address?
Who is eligible?
Seattle households that meet the income requirements and live within city limits qualify for Fresh Bucks. Use this tool to see if you live within the city limits.
Can my household apply for multiple Fresh Bucks benefits?
Benefits are limited to one per household. If someone in your household is already enrolled, additional applications will not be accepted.
How will I know if I’m selected?
If your application is selected, you will be notified directly via mail and email. At that time, we will let you know the exact timeline for when you will begin to receive your Fresh Bucks benefits.
If I’m not selected, do I have to reapply?
No. If your application is not selected in the first round, your application remains on the waitlist for future enrollment opportunities, and your chances increase over time.
Can I look up my application status?
We will notify you by mail and email if your application status changes. You can also contact us at 206-256-5438 or freshbucks@seattle.gov to get an update.
What if my circumstances change while I’m on the waitlist?
If your household situation changes (e.g. address, income, etc.), please contact us at 206-256-5438 or freshbucks@seattle.gov to update your application.
Why is there a waitlist?
There is a waitlist because Fresh Bucks has limited funding and can only serve a certain number of households at a time. The waitlist allows the program to manage program demand fairly and equitably by using a random selection system.
The Selection Process
How does the selection process work?
The selection process randomly selects eligible households for Fresh Bucks benefits. Priority households receive additional entries in the selection, increasing their chance of selection as follows:
- If you meet 1 priority criteria, your name is entered 2 times.
- If you meet 2 priority criteria, your name is entered 3 times, and so on.
- Households remaining on the waitlist after the first enrollment period receive an additional entry for future selection.
What are the priority criteria?
Fresh Bucks aims to eliminate disparities in healthy food access for those most burdened by food insecurity, economic hardship, and diet-related chronic disease. Data shows that households with low incomes and communities of color are more likely to experience food insecurity. Priority is given to households that meet the following criteria:
- Lowest household income category.
- Non-English language households.
- Waitlist duration: households that remain on the waitlist after the first enrollment period will receive an additional entry in subsequent selection processes.