Listing of self-help materials and informational publications.
There are 262 resources
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DISABILITY LIFELINE (GAU) BENEFITS
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
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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
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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
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How to Petition for Superior Court Review
7917EN - 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
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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
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Local HEN Administrator Directory A directory of HEN administration locations by county.
By: DSHS
Representing Yourself at a Fair Hearing
7910EN - 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
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What Are My Rights? Dealing with DSHS
7900EN - This publication lists services available by DSHS and your rights when dealing with this state agency.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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Benefits CheckUp
(Separate Website)
BenefitsCheckUp helps thousands every day to find programs for people ages 55 and over that may pay for some of their costs of prescription drugs, health care, utilities, and other essential items or services. Please fill out our simple questionnaire to find programs that can assist you or your loved ones.
By: National Council on the Aging
How to Fight a Termination of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability When SSA Decides You Are No Longer Disabled
7402EN - 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
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How to Fight a Termination or Reduction of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Benefits based on Non-disability Reasons
7400EN - Social Security must notify you in writing before reducing or stopping your benefits. You may fight the termination by asking for reconsideration.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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How to Fight an SSI or Social Security Overpayment Notice
If you are being charged with an overpayment, it is because Social Security believes that you received benefits when you were not eligible to receive them. Social Security must notify you in writing of the overpayment before it may take any money from your check. There are four actions you may take if you receive an overpayment notice.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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How to Fight Your SSI or Social Security Disability Denial
This publication explains what you can do if the Social Security Administration (SSA) denies your application because they say you are not disabled. If you have been receiving benefits and are notified that they will stop, see our publication How to Fight a Termination of SSI or SSD.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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Questions and Answers on Immigrants Who Want to Apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) 7502EN - I am an immigrant. I get ABD. Am I eligible to get SSI before I have become a citizen?
By: Northwest Justice Project
Severe.net
(Separate Website)
Social Security Disability Benefits Law Information and Resources.
Social Security Online
(Separate Website)
Comprehensive federal web site containing lots of information on the Social Security program.
By: Social Security Administration
Social Security Online - American Indian & Alaska Natives (AIAN) web site
(Separate Website)
The AIAN website provides basic information and ongoing updates of programs administered by the Social Security Administration and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS). We also provide information on how individuals and tribes or nations can contact the Social Security Administration, ongoing outreach efforts, and links to related federal programs. You may apply online for benefits.
By: Social Security Administration
What Do I Do If Social Security Stops my Benefits Because I am a "Fleeing Felon"?
7405EN - The Social Security Administration lists three types of fleeing felons: (1) felony charges with an outstanding warrant; (2) felony conviction with an outstanding warrant, or (3) a violation of probation or parole, regardless of whether the underlying crime was a felony. This publication discusses each of these.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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Additional Requirements: Extra Money for Welfare (TANF) Clients
7108EN - 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.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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Applying for Public Assistance
7903EN - Information about the application process to receive public assistance.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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Consolidated Emergency Assistance Program (CEAP): Extra Money for Needy Families
CEAP is a Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) program which provides money to needy families, children and pregnant women facing an emergency. CEAP is a last resort only. If you qualify for any other DSHS assistance program you do not qualify for CEAP.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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Diversion Cash Assistance
It is an emergency grant to a family facing a temporary financial crisis. You may get up to $1,250.00 in any twelve-month period. The amount you get cannot exceed $1,250.00 and may be less.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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Do I Qualify for DSHS Services?
(Separate Website)
Find out what benefits you may quality for.
By: Department of Social and Health Services
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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
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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
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How DSHS Treats Lump Sum Payments
7140EN - Information you should know if you receive a lump sum payment from DSHS.
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:
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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
How to Petition for Superior Court Review
7917EN - 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:
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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
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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
National Center for Law and Economic Justice
(Separate Website)
The Welfare Law Center works with and on behalf of low-income people to ensure that adequate income support -- public funding provided on the basis of need -- is available whenever and to the extent necessary to meet basic needs and foster healthy human and family development.
By: National Center for Law and Economic Justice
Questions and Answers about Workfirst
Almost all families who get TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) must participate in Workfirst. Most parents must do a job search program and take a job if one is offered.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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Questions and Answers on the TANF 5-Year Time Limit
There is a sixty-month (five-year) time limit for receiving TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) and SFA (State Family Assistance) cash assistance. The existence of the time limit does not mean that your family will automatically stop receiving cash assistance at the end of 60 months.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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Representing Yourself at a Fair Hearing
7910EN - 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
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Student Financial Aid and Welfare Benefits 7914EN - This publication explains the affect of receiving student financial aid when you also receive welfare benefits.
By: Northwest Justice Project
TANF and WorkFirst for College Students
If you get a TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) grant, you probably have to take part in WorkFirst if you want to go to college and keep getting TANF. Unless DSHS defers or exempts you temporarily from WorkFirst, you will have to participate in a WorkFirst activity for 32 to 40 hours a week. For most people, this first activity will be 12 weeks of intensive job search.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) for Teen Parents
7122EN - If you are a teenager under the age of 18, low income, and have children or are pregnant, you may be able to get help (money) from the state TANF program. Read on for answers to your questions about how to get TANF.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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The Self-Sufficiency Calculator for Washington State
(Separate Website)
The Calculator can help you: plan and develop career goals so you can work towards a better paying job; decide if a job you are considering will pay enough to meet your family's needs; determine if you might be eligible for public benefits that can help with expenses like health care or child care; test and compare different work or living options and see how they affect your bottom line.
By: Workforce Development Councils of Washington State
Washington State Self-Support Reserve
(Separate Website)
Basic subsistence limitation chart for determining amount necessary to provide for basic needs. The amounts are adjusted annually.
By: Washington State
Washington State WorkFirst Web Site
(Separate Website)
WorkFirst is Washington State's welfare reform program that helps financially struggling families find jobs, keep their jobs, get better jobs and build a better life for their children.
By: State of Washington
Welfare Benefits: TANF Rules and Eligibility
7123EN - Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is the welfare program that gives cash grants to needy families. This program replaced the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program. TANF is administered by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). This publication discusses who is eligible for TANF and what is required under the law.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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Welfare Fraud: What You Need to Know
7116EN - 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
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What Are My Rights? Dealing with DSHS
7900EN - This publication lists services available by DSHS and your rights when dealing with this state agency.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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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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Workfirst and the Family Violence Amendment
7124EN - DSHS will screen and identify TANF (Welfare) recipients for a history of family violence, notify TANF recipients about the Family Violence Amendment, maintain confidentiality, refer individuals needing counseling to supportive services, and waive Workfirst requirements where the requirements would make it more difficult to escape family violence, or put victims at further risk of family violence.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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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
WorkFirst For Working Families
7137EN - This publication is designed to increase your understanding of how employment affects your family's eligibility to receive TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) and other public benefits.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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