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DSHS Support Services for WorkFirst Participants
by: Northwest Justice Project
They are goods and services DSHS buys for WorkFirst participants that help participants look for work, prepare for work, or keep work. DSHS will only pay for a support service when DSHS decides that the service is absolutely necessary to help you to participate in Workfirst job activity that is on your IRP.
Who may get support services?
WorkFirst participants; sanctioned participants during the two-weeks after they begin to participate again; unmarried or pregnant minors eligible for TANF and living in a department approved living situation, and/or meeting school requirements; unmarried or pregnant minors not in an approved living situation or attending school but working with a social worker to remove barriers to meeting those requirements; former WorkFirst recipients who are working at least 20 hours or more per week for up to one year, if they need support services to meet a temporary emergency. This can include up to four weeks of support services if they lose a job and are looking for another one. American Indians who receive a TANF/SFA cash grant and have identified specific needs due to location or employment.
What kinds of support services does DSHS pay for and how much does DSHS pay?
This chart shows a list of support services available to WorkFirst participants and the limits that apply. There is a $3,000 limit per person, per program year (July 1st to June 30th). Please remember that:
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Just because a support service is available to you, that does not mean you will automatically receive it. DSHS must believe that the support service is directly related to your success in WorkFirst activities.
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The amounts given below are maximum amounts that DSHS may authorize to pay for a support service. Please keep in mind that DSHS may pay less than the maximum for a service.
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DSHS is currently experiencing a lack of funds for support services. WorkFirst case managers and social workers will have to limit approval for support services. Each Community Service Office will determine how they will handle this lack of funds. Some will stop providing vouchers for diapers and personal hygiene or cut back on clothing vouchers. High cost items like car repairs are less likely to be approved especially if public transportation is available to meet the client's needs.
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Although money is limited and more requests for support services will be denied, the rules have not changed. If you are denied a support service that you believe is essential to your participation, ask to speak with a supervisor. You have the right to ask for a fair hearing if you are not satisfied with the response.
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SUPPORT SERVICE |
DETAILS |
MAX. AMOUNT
DSHS WILL PAY |
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Reasonable Accommodation for Employment |
Specialized equipment for persons with disabilities. |
$1000 per request, does not count toward yearly maximum. |
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Car Repair |
Necessary to work or participate in WorkFirst activity. Exception to policy required for tune-ups, studded tires, towing. |
$500 per program year (July 1 through June 30). |
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Child Care |
See CLEAR publication titled Working Connections Child Care. |
varies. |
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Clothing or Uniforms for Adult Participant |
Clothing, undergarments, shoes, or other apparel necessary for job search or job retention. |
$200 adult per program year. |
| Counseling |
Includes professional counseling and classes such as anger management and self-esteem. |
No limit - does not count toward yearly limit. |
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Diapers Per Child |
Diapers for child to attend day care, permitting the child's parent to seek or retain activity. |
$50 per month. |
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Education Expenses |
This category now includes GED, tools (for training), tutoring, tuition and fees, book and supplies, uniforms and specialized clothing. Activity must be in your IRP and you do not qualify for enough student financial aid to meet the cost. |
$300 per request. |
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Haircut/Styling |
Limited to job search, WEX, or offer of employment. Not for perms, highlighting or coloring except to return hair to natural color. |
$40 per request. |
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License/Fee/Liability Insurance |
Driver's license (not outstanding warrants, traffic tickets or fines), commercial, and business licenses appropriate to employment, liability insurance (new). |
$600 per program year. |
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Lunch |
Purchase of participant's lunch at all-day DSHS- or ESD-sponsored events such as a job fair; must be a working lunch for all participants. |
State employee rate. |
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Medical services or exams necessary to accept employment or participate in WorkFirst activities |
Services beyond a physical and not available with a medical coupon or offered at free clinics; may include standard fees charged for medical records/reports;
Example: medical exam required for a commercial driver's license. |
$150 per exam
May include diagnostics to identify medical/psychological barriers.
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Mileage Reimbursement |
For use of privately owned vehicle during job search, first 30 days of employment, or during other WorkFirst participation. |
State employee rate. |
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Personal Hygiene |
Personal hygiene products not covered by grant like soap, shampoo, deodorant, laundry detergent, shaving supplies, feminine hygiene, etc. |
$50 per adult, per year. |
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Professional, trade assoc., union dues, bonds, certification costs, license and fees. |
Union dues first month only. Additional months require exception to policy.
Testing necessary to acquire trade license or certification. |
$300 each fee. |
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Public Transportation Costs. |
Includes bus, van pool, train, ferry, etc. when public transportation is more economical than use of own vehicle or when participant does not have own vehicle |
$150 per month. |
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Relocation Fees |
Expenses necessary to enable a participant to accept or maintain full-time unsubsidized employment at a wage enabling the participant to be independent of TANF;
Requires written confirmation of start date and wages from employer |
$1000 per program year may include commercial carrier, rental truck, fuel. |
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Short-term lodging, meals, and/or travel expenses |
Required non-recurring expenses happening when participant is required to travel for work to a site that is beyond normal commuting distance. |
Same rate as State employee. |
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Testing - Diagnostic |
Not provided by WorkFirst or available from free or low-cost services;
Includes literacy level, aptitude, and skills proficiency tests. |
$200 each. |
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Tools or equipment required by an employer or institutional training program |
Required to accept a bona fide offer of employment, to participate in work activity or maintain employment. All other students or employees must have the same requirement for tools. |
$500 per request. |
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Tools/Equipment for training/education |
Required to accept a bona fide offer of employment, to participate in work activity or maintain employment. All other students or employees must have the same requirement for tools. |
$500 per program year. |
What is a Transitional Work Expense (formerly called the "Exit Bonus")?
A transitional work expense is a special support service that is paid only once in a lifetime. It is money paid in two installments of $500 each and is intended to help you cover work expenses as you transition to self-support. It is intended to help you get off assistance sooner and stay off assistance longer.
==> Transitional Work Expense payments ended on 2/01/2003. If you received the first payment of $500 on or before 1/31/2003 you can still get the second $500 payment if you meet the continuing work requirement (see #2 below).
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The first payment is made in the month after you voluntarily terminate a TANF grant that has fallen below $100, but not to zero. You must show that your have a plan for staying employed and off of TANF.
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The second $500 is paid if you are still employed and off TANF after three months.
Sometimes case managers will forget to mention that you can get these services, so you must ask the case manager specifically for what you think you need.
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Contact your case manager and tell him or her the specific problem or need that will help you gain or keep employment. Ask to discuss the support services that you believe are right for you. Request that your case manager include important support services on your Individual Responsibility Plan (IRP). Some support services are now listed on the back of the IRP.
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The case manager may ask you for proof of your need. For example, if you need a car repair, the case manager may ask you to give him/her two car repair estimates in writing. Additionally, if your car is inoperable, DSHS may pay for either towing to get a repair estimate or for a mobile repair service to come to you. Do not get the car repaired and then ask DSHS to pay the bill!
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When the case manager receives the verification he/she needs from you, DSHS will decide whether the support service is needed.
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If DSHS authorizes payment of your support services, DSHS may pay the provider directly or DSHS may issue you a payment voucher.
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If you do not receive notification of whether DSHS will pay for the support service, contact your case manager to check in about it.
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If there is still no response from your case manager, then request a fair hearing on the failure to provide needed support services. See below on how to request a fair hearing.
DSHS has a limit of $3,000 each year on services for each family. The year begins on July 1 and ends on June 30.
It is possible for DSHS to pay for more than the recommended amount per service or per year. This requires the approval of the State Office in Olympia. If your case manager initially says that the support service you need is too expensive, then ask him or her to request and exception to the policy.
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Employment placement fees.
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Services normally provided by state employees.
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Weapons.
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Purchase of a motor vehicle.
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Court-imposed fines
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Installment payments, such as loan payments.
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Contact your case manager's lead worker or supervisor about it.
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If you do not receive a satisfactory response from that contact, ask for a fair hearing.
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To do this, fill out a Fair Hearing Request at your local DSHS office or write to Office of Administrative Hearings, P.O. Box 42488, Olympia, WA 98504. You can also request a fair hearing verbally by telling your case manager or the Fair Hearing Coordinator in the local DSHS office that you want a fair hearing.
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For more information about fair hearings, see the CLEAR publication titled Representing Yourself at a Fair Hearing.
This publication provides general information concerning your rights and responsibilities. It is not intended as a substitute for specific legal advice.
This information is current as of the date of its printing, April 2003.
© 2003 Northwest Justice Project.
1-888-201-1014, TTY 1-888-201-9737
(Permission for copying and distribution granted to the Washington State Access to Justice Network and individuals for non-commercial use only.)
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