Washington residents will be unable to apply for state health insurance or other public benefits between Friday and next Wednesday because of technology upgrades to the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services web systems.
Officials are asking those looking to get health insurance, or to update their account information, to do so before Friday at 5 p.m., or wait until Wednesday, August 16.
The web portal, where people apply for food, cash assistance, health insurance and long-term care, Washington Connection, will also be down over the weekend, and possibly through Tuesday. While the system is down, Department of Social and Health Services offices will also be unable to provide those services in person.
A Department of Health spokesperson said people can get general questions answered and information about local resources by calling 211, but workers will be unable to look up specific health insurance or account information.
She said the system is scheduled to be back online by 8 a.m. August 16. She said the upgrade will mostly benefit behind-the-scenes systems and will make online systems people use to apply for benefits, and health insurance more stable.
