Additional Requirements: Extra Money for Welfare (TANF) Clients
by: Northwest Justice Project
What is Additional Requirements?
If you qualify for Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), State Financial Assistance (SFA), or a Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) welfare grant and you have an emergency, you may be eligible to get "Additional Requirements (AR)," which is money for emergency needs. This publication tells who can get additional requirements (AR) and under what circumstances. AR is an extra payment made for certain emergency needs. DSHS pays the least amount necessary to get your family through the emergency.
Who may get Additional Requirements?
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People who qualify for or already receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), State Family Assistance (SFA) or Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA).
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People who received TANF in another state and moved to Washington are eligible for AR in that same month.
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If you don't get or want to get TANF, SFA, or RCA, you may not get Additional Requirements to help with one-time emergency needs.
What emergency needs does AR cover?
AR covers:
1. Rent, security deposits, mortgage payments, taxes or fees to:
a. prevent eviction or foreclosure; or
b. obtain new housing or housing subsidies. Help is available if you're fleeing domestic violence or you're homeless.
2. Needed repairs for damages or defects to your home that cause a risk to your health or safety. If you rent, DSHS will help you only after you've written a letter to the landlord requesting the repairs (as provided in the Residential Landlord Tenant Act at RCW ch. 59.18.) Also, if it would cost less for you to move, DSHS will pay for that. DSHS won't pay for repairs.
3. Repairs, deposits, fees and services necessary for electricity, water, sewer and fuel for heating and cooking. DSHS will also pay for basic local telephone service if it's necessary for your basic health and safety.
When will DSHS help?
You must have a good reason for not having enough funds to meet your housing or utility needs. "Good reason" includes the following:
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you had an emergency situation such as an injury or illness
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you had necessary or emergency expenses for such items as shelter, food clothing, medical care necessary for employment or to cure pain, emergency child care or other reasonable and necessary expenses
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you were involved in a disaster such as theft, house fire, flood, severe weather accident or medical emergency
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you've encountered extra, short-term expenses caused by homelessness, domestic violence, or other situations that threaten your family's health and safety
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you've experienced a reduction or termination of the family's cash grant due to expected or budgeted income that won't actually be available.
How much may I get?
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You may receive up to $750 in a 12-month period in addition to the amount of your grant. You can ask for and receive help an unlimited number of times, so long as the help you receive doesn't exceed $750.
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DSHS may approve a payment above the $750 maximum for health and safety reasons.
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DSHS will pay the least amount necessary to get the family through the emergency.
Are there any exceptions?
You can receive more than $750 for health and or safety reasons. You cannot receive more than the $750 for any other reason. Previously you could get more than the maximum amount by requesting an exception to policy, but that's been eliminated.
What if I need help right away? You may receive help by electronic benefit transfer, so DSHS may put the money directly into your bank account, usually that same day. However, we don't recommend using the EBT. Monies paid directly to you by DSHS would be counted as income that affects eligibility for and amount of benefits. It's better to have DSHS pay the third party, such as the utility company or the landlord. You may also apply by telephone, if you're currently receiving TANF, SFA or RCA.
If your caseworker denies your request, ask to speak with a supervisor or the administrator of the DSHS office. The supervisor or administrator may change the caseworker's decision and allow your request.
What if I'm denied Additional Requirements?
If you're denied additional require¬ments, ask DSHS to put it in writing. You have the right to a fair hearing. (Note: even if DSHS doesn't deny you in writing, you can still ask for a fair hearing based on what was told to you by the DSHS worker.) To ask for a fair hearing, fill out a fair hearing request at your local DSHS office or write to Office of Administrative Hearings, P.O. Box 42489, Olympia, WA 98504. If it's an emergency, ask for an "expedited" (faster than usual) fair hearing by calling the office of administrative hearings at (360) 664-8717 or 1-800-583-8271. If you decide to go ahead with the hearing, see our publication Representing Yourself at a Fair Hearing.
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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, March 2010.
© 2010 Northwest Justice Project.
1-888-201-1014
(Permission for copying and distribution granted to the Alliance for Equal Justice and individuals for non-commercial use only.)
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