How to get an ORCA LIFT card in Snohomish County

Using an ORCA card is the easiest way to pay your transit fares with many local transit agencies, but have you heard of the ORCA LIFT card? It’s for people with lower incomes and helps reduce the cost of your rides.

An ORCA LIFT card allows you to pay half the regular Community Transit bus fare. This means that local and Swift routes cost $1.25 per ride, and commuter routes cost $2 per ride. Don’t forget, youth ages 18 and under ride free on transit. 

Do I qualify for ORCA LIFT?

To qualify for an ORCA LIFT card, your gross household income (which means before taxes are taken out) must be no more than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level as established by the U.S. Health and Human Services Department. People who are DSHS clients or receive Apple Health (Medicaid), WIC, or Basic Food are automatically eligible for ORCA LIFT. You can use this chart on the ORCA LIFT website to learn if you qualify.  

Looking for more savings? The Subsidized Annual Pass works just like a regular ORCA card but allows free travel on King County Metro, Sound Transit, and Everett Transit. Subsidized Annual Pass holders pay the ORCA LIFT reduced fare when they ride with Community Transit.  Learn more and see if you qualify here.

Where can I get an ORCA LIFT card in Snohomish County?

If you’re a Snohomish County resident who wants to apply for an ORCA LIFT card, you have a couple of options. There is no fee for your first ORCA LIFT card, and replacement cards are $3 each.

Apply for an ORCA LIFT card online: You can use the Reduced Fare Portal to apply for an ORCA LIFT card online. Go to the portal and select one of the three options: qualify by benefits program, qualify by student aid, or qualify by income to start your application.

Please note, you will need to upload some documents to complete this process, including a copy of your ID. The application you select will tell you exactly what you will need to complete the process. Once you finish the application, your ORCA LIFT card will be sent to you in the mail.

Apply for an ORCA LIFT card by phone: You can call the Community Health Access Program (CHAP) at 1-800-756-5437 and a representative will help you apply for an ORCA LIFT card over the phone. Then, your card will be sent via mail, or you can pick it up at a convenient location.

Applying over the phone is a great option for people who already have Apple Health or qualify for food stamps, as the representative will be able to quickly look you up in their system. CHAP phone hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Apply for an ORCA LIFT card in person: Below is a list of places you can apply for an ORCA LIFT card in person Snohomish County. Please bring documents that prove who you are, as well as documents that prove your income. View a full list of these documents on the ORCA LIFT website.

We highly suggest calling before you visit these locations to make sure they are open and able to help you with your ORCA LIFT application. 

Snohomish County DSHS Community Services Offices (CSO):
This option is only for existing DSHS clients.
Offices open Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Cards will be sent to you via mail after you apply.

Everett CSO
Phone: (877) 501-2233
840 N Broadway Suite 200
Everett 98201

Lynnwood CSO
Phone: (877) 501-2233
20311 52nd Ave W Suite 100
Lynnwood 98036

Monroe CSO
Phone: (877) 501-2233
19705 State Route 2 Suite 100
Monroe 98272-2341

Smokey Point CSO
Phone: (877) 501-2233
3704 172nd St NE Suite P, Arlington 98223

Additional locations:

Arlington Community Resource Center
Phone: (360) 322-6988
Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
103 E 3^rd St. Ste. 201, Arlington 98223

Edmonds College
Phone: 425-640-1459
Tuesday 1-4 p.m.
Wednesday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Thursday, 12-4 p.m.
20000 68th Ave. W, Lynnwood 98036
(Inside Olympic Building)

Carl Gipson Center – Everett
Phone: (425) 818-2784
Every 3^rd Wednesday of the month, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Fridays 10 a.m.– 2:30 p.m.
3025 Lombard Ave., Everett 98201

Carnegie Resource Center – Everett
Phone: (425) 434-4680
Every 2^nd and 4^th Tuesday, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
3001 Oakes Ave., Everett 98201

Everett Community Resource Center
Phone: (425) 355-6005
Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
2500 Hewitt Ave. Suite 300 Everett, 98201

Everett Recovery Café
Phone: (425) 258-5630
Wednesdays 1:30-3:30 p.m.
1212 California St., Everett 98201

Volunteers of America – Everett
Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
2802 Broadway Everett 98201

Lake Stevens Community Resource Center
Phone: (425) 405-2252
Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
8021 20^th  St. SE Lake Stevens 98258

Marysville Food Bank
Phone: (360) 658-1054
Every 2^nd  Friday of the month, 9-11 a.m.
4150 88th St. NE Marysville 98270

St. Vincent De Paul – Monroe
Phone: (360) 863-8063
Tuesday, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Friday, 12-4p.m.
17150 W Main St. Monroe 98272

Sky Valley Community Resource Center - Sultan
Phone: (360) 863-3371
Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
701 1ST St. Sultan 98294

Tulalip Recovery Resource Center
Phone: (360) 722-2255
Every 1^st Friday of the month, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
7627 41st Ave NW Tulalip, 98271