Listing of self-help materials and informational publications.
There are 21 resources
General information
Video - How to Represent Yourself at a DSHS Hearing
This half hour video shows how anyone who disagrees with a decision by DSHS can appeal their decision through the fair hearing process and represent themselves at the hearing.
By: Kitsap Legal Services
Do I Qualify for DSHS Services?
(Separate Website)
Find out what benefits you may quality for.
By: Department of Social and Health Services
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Department of Social and Health Services Web Site
(Separate Website)
Information about government services and how to apply for them. Information provided in many languages.
By: DSHS
DSHS Help for People with Disabilities: Necessary Supplemental Accomodations
If you get DSHS benefits, such as TANF, SFA, Disability Lifeline, Medicaid, or food assistance, DSHS must accommodate your disabilities. This means that DSHS must try to make their services and benefits available to you to the same extent that they are available to people without a disability.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
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What Are My Rights? Dealing with DSHS
This publication lists services available by DSHS and your rights when dealing with this state agency.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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Read this in:
Russian / Pусский
,
Spanish / Español
DSHS Support Services for WorkFirst Participants
DSHS may provide goods and services for WorkFirst participants to help them look for work, prepare for work, or keep work.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Read this in:
Russian / Pусский
Family Home Child Care Providers: Know Your Rights When State Licensors and Investigators Come to Your Home! As a family home child care provider you may have questions about what to do when State employees come to your door. This brochure will help to educate you on your rights and what you can do to protect your rights.
By: Columbia Legal Services
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Exception to Rule (ETR) DSHS Programs
The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is able to give you some types of benefits even if you don't meet all of the requirements. This is called an "exception to a rule" or "ETR". DSHS considers ETR requests on a case-by-case basis and approves requests only in limited circumstances.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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How to Fight a Denial of DSHS Public Assistance
This publication explains your rights if you apply for cash, food stamps, medical, or child care assistance from the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and their office denies you benefits.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Read this in:
Russian / Pусский
,
Spanish / Español
How To Fight a Termination or Reduction of DSHS Public Assistance
7102EN - This publication explains your rights if the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) tells you that it will stop or cut back the cash, food stamps, medical, or child care assistance they have been giving you. The most important thing to know is that you must ask for a fair hearing soon, usually within 10 days of being mailed written notice, to keep getting your benefits while you appeal.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Read this in:
Russian / Pусский
,
Spanish / Español
How To Fight an Overpayment of Cash Assistance, Medical Assistance or Food Stamps
7104EN - An overpayment happens when you receive benefits you are not eligible for according to Department of Social & Health Services (DSHS) rules.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Read this in:
Russian / Pусский
,
Spanish / Español
Representing Yourself at a Fair Hearing
If you do not agree with any decision, either verbal or written, made by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), you have the right to appeal that decision by asking for a fair hearing.
This publication tells you about 1) the deadline to request a fair hearing, 2) how to make the re-quest, 3) how to prepare for your hearing, and 4) what to expect at your hearing and afterward.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Read this in:
Russian / Pусский
,
Spanish / Español
How to Present an Equitable Estoppel Defense at a DSHS Hearing
7912EN - If you receive an overpayment notice from DSHS telling you that you owe them money or food stamps because they gave you benefits they should not have given you, and the overpayment was through no fault of yours, you should ask for a fair hearing because there is a legal defense against the overpayment. You must ask for the fair hearing within 90 days of the date of the overpayment notice. The notice will say the overpayment was unintentionally caused and will say you are required to repay it, but will not tell you that there is a legal defense against it. Read this publication to find out about an Equitable Estoppel defense.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
How to Petition for Superior Court Review
If you disagree with the final fair hearing decision, you may appeal your case to a state Superior Court. The appeal is called a "Petition for Judicial Review of an Administrative Decision." Your appeal can be filed in either the Superior Court of the county where you live or in Thurston County Superior Court in Olympia.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
WorkFirst Education and Training Opportunities Are you interested in training or education? You can ask your WorkFirst worker to add the options in this booklet to your IRP as WorkFirst activities. Most of these activities are not required. However, studies show that the best way to get and keep a good job is to improve your education and training. These options are often your best ticket out of the welfare system.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Washington State Human Rights Commission Web Site
(Separate Website)
The mission of the Washington State Human Rights Commission is to eliminate and prevent discrimination through the fair application of the law, the efficient use of resources, and the establishment of productive partnerships in the community.
By: Washington State Human Rights Commission
Welfare Fraud: What You Need to Know
This publication answers common questions about welfare fraud and offers important information that you should know if you are being accused of welfare fraud.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
What Do I Do If DSHS Stops My Benefits Because I'm a "Fleeing Felon"
If you are a fleeing felon, you are not eligible for many federal and state public benefits. This publication defines "feeling felon" and discusses the benefits that are affected.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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PDF File
How to Fight a Termination of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability When SSA Decides You Are No Longer Disabled
If the Social Security Administration (SSA) believes that your medical condition has improved or that you can work, they will send you a written notice that says your benefits will stop. You may fight the proposed termination by asking for reconsideration. You may continue to receive the same benefits after the proposed termination date in the notice if you request reconsideration in time. You must request reconsideration within 10 days of receiving the notice to keep getting benefits.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Apple Health for Kids Program: How to Respond to DSHS Notices about Immigration and Citizenship Documents If you have children who receive state-funded free or low cost health insurance through the state's Apple Health for Kids program, you may receive a notice from the Department of Social and Health Services ("DSHS") asking you to send in documents about your child's citizenship or immigration status. This bulletin explains why you received this notice and what you should do.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Information for providers, clients, and advocates about the TANF Benefits Time Limit: February 1st, 2011
(Separate Website)
DSHS will be instituting a lifetime limit for families enrolled in TANF effective February 1, 2011
By: Seattle King County Coalition on Homelessness
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