DSHS – Department Of Social and Health Services (www1.dshs.wa.gov)

DSHS is where you go if you want to get on food stamps, get medical coupons, or have any other needs that would be considered “welfare.” You’ll qualify for some services if you are at the poverty line or below in income (as of late 2008, the cut-off for food stamps is $1,734 gross monthly income for one person). Visit your local Community Service Office (CSO) or go online to find out what you’re eligible for.

Capitol Hill/Central District: 1700 E. Cherry St. (206) 341-7431

Belltown: 2106 2nd Ave (206) 341-7427

North King/Ballard (serves U-District): 907 NW Ballard Way (206) 341-7424

Whitecenter: 9650 15th Ave SW (206) 341-7430

Ranier: 3600 S. Graham St. (206) 341-7429

Cheap Medical Care

There are several sliding-scale health providers in Seattle. You of course will need to be under a certain income to qualify, and given certain circumstances you may be eligible for free care (for example, if you’re under 23 and homeless). For more locations, visit crisisclinic.org

Primary Care

45^th St Clinic in - 1629 N 45th St (Wallingford), (206) 633-3350 Main

Downtown Public Health Center - 2124 4th Ave, (800) 325-6165

Country Doctor Community Health Clinic - 500 19th Ave E (Capitol Hill), (206) 299-1600

Low cost community health center, with a minimum $15 fee that may go up based on your income. They also have a pharmacy assistance program, and prescriptions start at $8. Will fix you without it costing a limb, because you deserve to keep em!

Sliding-Scale Dental

Georgetown Dental Clinic - 6200 13th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108, (206) 461-6943 Office

Central Area Dental Clinic - 2101 E Yesler Way, 2nd Floor, (206) 461-7801

The Icarus Project (www.theicarusproject.net)

A radical mental health collective with the aim of specifically addressing bi-polar “disorder”. The chapter here in Seattle is not currently meeting, but the original group has a lot of information and personal accounts of navigating .

Eye care

The Millionair Club and Lions Vosh Foundation offer eye exams and glasses once a year to anyone without insurance or medical coupons. Clinic appointments are between 9:00am and 1:00pm on Thursdays from September to June and are offered by volunteer optometrists and opticians.

Reproductive Health

STD Testing

metrokc.gov/health/apu/std – visit this website for a list of places you can go to get an affordable STD screening. Our favorites are:

45th Street Clinic, (206) 633-3350

Country Doctor Community Health Clinic, (206) 461-4503

Downtown Public Health Center, (206) 296-4960

And you can get screened for a sliding-scale fee at Planned Parenthood (ppww.org).

Think you're pregnant?

In Washington state, pregnancy is considered a “medical emergency”, which means you will qualify for emergency medical coupons through your local DSHS office. Basically, whether you choose to have an abortion, have a kid, or look into adoption services, the state will fund your medical costs for the length of the pregnancy, and then a few months after. You just need a confirmed pregnancy test (see below for free urine tests!), and then you can start the application online at www1.dshs.wa.gov (as well as food stamps, &c.) Planned Parenthood only offers abortion services at the Madison Street Clinic in the Seattle city limits, and offer appointments on Thursdays and Saturdays.

Seattle Medical & Wellness Clinic (www.smawc.com)

Puget Sound Plaza Building

1325 4th Avenue, Suite 1240, 98101

1-800-522-0606 / 206-625-0202 (M-F 8:30am to 5pm, Sa 8:30am-12pm)

A feminist-minded abortion clinic that offers both medical (the RU-486 pill, up to 9 weeks pregnant) and surgical abortions (through 18.2 weeks) on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturday. They also offer free urine pregnancy tests, translation services for folks who need it, and counseling, and take medical coupons.

Birth Control

The State Of Washington has a program called Take Charge, and if you are eligible, then you get completely free birth control services for one year. SeattleDIY Collective members have gotten Vasectomies and Tubal Ligation… for FREE! Find out if you’re eligible here: metrokc.gov/HEALTH/insurance/takecharge.htm

With Take Charge, go to your health care provider, Planned Parenthood, or a few other providers, and get what you need!