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Washington State
Department of Social
& Health Services
Community Stakeholder
Meeting Agenda
September 20-30, 2011
Topic / Discussion Time
Welcome and Introductions 10 Minutes
ESHB 2082 Presentation 20 Minutes
ESHB 2082 Open Discussion 20 Minutes
Break 10 Minutes
WorkFirst / ESSB 5921 Presentation 25 Minutes
WorkFirst / ESSB 5921 Open Discussion 30 Minutes
Closing 5 Minutes
Washington State
Department of Social
& Health Services
Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2082
(Chapter 36, Laws of 2011, 1st
Ex. Sess.)
An Act Terminating the
Disability Lifeline Program
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Washington State
Department of Social
& Health Services
ESHB 2082
Terminates the Disability Lifeline cash program effective
October 31, 2011.
Establishes three new programs effective November 1,
2011.
• Aged, Blind, or Disabled (ABD) cash assistance
program;
• Pregnant Women (PW) assistance program; and
• Housing and Essential Needs (HEN).
Medical benefits and coverage are not affected by the
termination of the Disability Lifeline cash program.
Implementation of ESHB 2082 takes the coordination
and collaboration of three state agencies.
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Washington State
Department of Social
& Health Services
Aged, Blind, or Disabled
Cash Assistance Program
The Aged, Blind or Disabled (ABD) cash assistance
program provides a monthly cash grant for adults who
are:
• Aged 65 or older;
• Blind, based on SSI standard; or
• Likely to meet the SSI disability criteria.
The grant is proposed at $197 maximum a month for
one person.
To meet SSI disability criteria, a person must have a
mental or physical impairment that prevents them from
working for at least 12 months.
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Washington State
Department of Social
& Health Services
Aged, Blind or Disabled
Cash Assistance Program
Clients who receive medical based on age or disability
will receive Aged, Blind, or Disabled cash assistance in
November 2011.
Eligible clients will be notified in October that they will
receive cash in November 2011.
What’s New
Starting
November 1,
2011?
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Washington State
Department of Social
& Health Services
Pregnant Women Assistance Program
The Pregnant Women (PW) assistance program
provides cash assistance to women who are not
otherwise eligible for TANF and are pregnant.
Women eligible for these benefits are typically women
who will have received 5 years of TANF assistance and
are not eligible for a time limit extension.
The grant is proposed at $197 maximum a month.
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Washington State
Department of Social
& Health Services
Pregnant Women Assistance Program
Pregnant women who are otherwise eligible will
receive Pregnant Women assistance in November
2011.
Eligible clients will be notified that they will receive
cash assistance in November 2011.
What’s New
Starting
November 1,
2011?
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Washington State
Department of Social
& Health Services
Housing and Essential Needs
Overview
Commerce is required to disperse funds to local governments or
other community-based organizations to provide Housing and
Essential Needs services. Funding includes:
• The budget is set at $64 million over two years;
• $4 million is set aside for essential needs; and
• Remaining funds divided between housing assistance for homeless
clients and those clients at “substantial risk” of becoming homeless.
People who receive Medical Care Services and are homeless or are
at “substantial risk” of becoming homeless may qualify for Housing
and Essential Needs services. HEN does not provide a monthly
cash grant.
Housing and Essential Needs may provide assistance with rent and
utility payments, personal health and hygiene items, cleaning
supplies and transportation (e.g., bus passes).
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Washington State
Department of Social
& Health Services
Housing and Essential Needs
Grants
Grantees were selected in each county across the state. Award
letters were sent to grantees in early September 2011.
DSHS is working with Commerce to tailor access to a web-based
verification system (Benefits Verification System) so that Housing
and Essential Needs grantees can confirm a client’s eligibility for
HEN assistance.
Grantees cannot issue rent, utility, or essential needs assistance
prior to November 1, 2011 – however, potential clients can start
contacting the providers to learn more about intake and services.
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Washington State
Department of Social
& Health Services
Housing and Essential Needs
Eligible Medical Care Services (MCS) clients will need to contact
their local Housing and Essential Needs provider (local grantee) to
discuss the availability of HEN assistance and the process for
accessing these benefits.
Recipients of ADATSA or the ABD cash program who are receiving
MCS will not be eligible for Housing and Essential Needs assistance.
HEN does not provide a monthly cash grant.
What’s New
Starting
November 1,
2011?
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Washington State
Department of Social
& Health Services
Communication with Clients
September 2011
Recipients of the Disability
Lifeline program will
receive an informational
pamphlet about the
upcoming changes.
October 2011
Recipients of the Disability
Lifeline program will
receive a letter about the
termination of the DL cash
program and information
regarding assistance they
may be eligible for in
November 2011.
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Washington State
Department of Social
& Health Services
Application Process
DSHS and HCA are developing a new concurrent process
for determining disability and incapacity for the ABD cash
and MCS medical programs.
The standard of promptness (timeframes) for completing
applications will not change.
A review of medical evidence by contracted doctors will
continue to be included in the process of determining
eligibility for potentially disabled individuals.
The intent of the new process is to connect people with the
correct benefits as quickly as possible.
Washington State
Department of Social
& Health Services
ESHB 2082
Open Discussion
Questions
Ideas
How can we partner to communicate these
changes to you and those affected by these
changes?
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Washington State
Department of Social
& Health Services
Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5921
(Chapter 42, Laws of 2011, 1st
Ex. Sess.)
An Act Relating to Social Services
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Washington State
Department of Social
& Health Services
Legislative-Executive Task Force
Determine outcome and accountability measures.
Make recommendations to the Governor and Legislature.
Task Force members include:
• Members from House of Representatives:
Representatives Ruth Kagi, Tina Orwall, Mark Hargrove,
and Maureen Walsh.
• Members from Senate: Senators Joseph Zarelli, Debbie
Regala, Mike Carrell, and Nick Harper.
• Executive Agency Members: Susan Dreyfus (DSHS),
Bette Hyde (DEL), Paul Trause (ESD), Charlie Earl
(SBCTC), Rogers Weed (Commerce), and Alexis Oliver
(for OFM).
First task force meeting is scheduled for late September
2011.
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Washington State
Department of Social
& Health Services
July 2011 Implementation
Participation Suspension
In alignment with WorkFirst core tenets, parents will be
encouraged to participate but are placed in suspension
upon request.
Clients were sent information about the new suspension
policy July 6, 2011.
In July 2011, 6,937 families were choosing a participation
suspension.
Phased re-engagement will begin in July 2012.
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Washington State
Department of Social
& Health Services
July 2011 Implementation—Support
Enforcement Services for Recipients of
WCCC or other Subsidized Child Care
Applicants for child care subsidy programs (without good
cause) are provided an application to participate with
DCS on Child Support Enforcement services.
Eligible applicants have 30 days to apply for Support
Enforcement services. Child care subsidy is provided
during this period.
Child care assistance is terminated for children whose
parents do not cooperate in the collection of child support.
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Washington State
Department of Social
& Health Services
WorkFirst Redesign
July 2011 Implementation—Career Scope
Employment Security—Six Career Scope Pilots
Four-phased approach to employment service delivery.
Flexible, participant-centered approach.
Supports engagement in an education pathway.
Next Steps
WorkFirst Career Scope Readiness Self-Assessment.
Spokane Pilot site visit by ESD Commissioner and DSHS
leadership is scheduled for 9/28/2011.
ESD Labor Market and Employment Analysis Division
begins pilot evaluation.
• Evaluation of 4 phases of model in October 2011.
• Evaluation of pilot outcomes in early 2012.
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Washington State
Department of Social
& Health Services
Commerce WorkFirst Programs
DSHS Referral to Commerce contractor
• Focus on employment barriers for hardest to serve participants
• Up to 6 months of subsidized wages
• Full-time countable activities
• Combines basic skills, vocational, or employment specific training
• Incorporates barrier management activities
• Provides supportive workplace experience & training in community worksites
Community Jobs (CJ)
• Work experience supports career goals
• JC provides up to 3 months of paid work experience & skill development
• Career Jump provides paid work experinece with an employer who agrees to hire
• Stacked activities support employability & may include mentoring (peer & professional), Job Club, Work Ethic Training, Job Hunting & Readiness Activities
Community Job
Connection (JC) &
Career Jump
• Unpaid work experience to support the education pathway
• Program length aligned with education pathway up to 12 months
• Work experience supports education goals
• When possible, worksites co-located oncampus
• Core work activity that increases participation to full-time (within FLSA)
• Peer mentoring activities
• Coaching/support for work related issues
Career Development
Progression:
Unsubsidized employment
Job Search
Progression:
Unsubsidized employment
Job Search
Progression:
Unsubsidized employment
Job Search
Job Connection/Career Jump
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Washington State
Department of Social
& Health Services
Coordinated Case Management and
Service Delivery
Motivational Interviewing
Child Welfare Housing Project
Chemical Dependency Pilot
Predictive Modeling
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Washington State
Department of Social
& Health Services
September 2011 Implementation
Child-Only TANF Time Limit
4,814
153
9,174
104
Child-Only Cases with Parent in the Home as of
April 2011
Applies to child-only cases with
a parent in the home. Does not
impact child-only cases with a
relative or other caretaker.
Institutes 60-month limit.
Parents may be eligible for a
hardship extension.
Interviews will be conducted
with each affected family in
September and October 2011.
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Washington State
Department of Social
& Health Services
November 2011 Implementation
Means Testing Child-Only TANF
Applies to child-only TANF cases
without parents in the home.
A sliding scale between 200% and
300% FPL determines maximum
benefit amount:
0 to 200% $305.00 maximum
201% to 225% 20% reduction
226% to 250% 40% reduction
251% to 275% 60% reduction
276% to 300% 80% reduction
Over 300% Ineligible
4-Person Household Gross Income
200% FPL $3,275/mo or $44,700/year
300% FPL $5,588/mo or $67,050/year
9,312
1,078
Non-Parental Child-Only TANF Cases as of April 2011
Kinship Legal Guardian
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Washington State
Department of Social
& Health Services
Additional ESSB 5921 and
WorkFirst Program Initiatives
Permanent Disqualification for Non-Compliance Sanction
Report and Recommendations Regarding Child Care
Tracking and Service Delivery and Other Child Care
Updates
• DSHS and DEL have coordinated Seasonal Child Care
outreach events with the Mobile CSO in Mount Vernon,
Kennewick, Pasco, Wenatchee, Mattawa, Sunnyside,
Oroville, and Moses Lake.
• DSHS is scheduled to release 1,200 names per week from
the WCCC wait list.
Financial Literacy Plan and Fee Disclosure
Employee Incentive Pilot (January 2012)
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Washington State
Department of Social
& Health Services
ESSB 5921
EBT, Fraud, and Accountability Initiatives
Location prohibitions include:
• Taverns and nightclubs;
• Beer/wine specialty stores and contract liquor stores;
• Bail bond agencies;
• Gambling establishments;
• Tattoo, body piercing, or body art shops; and
• Adult entertainment venues with performances that contain
erotic material and any establishment where persons under
age 18 are not permitted.
EBT purchase and use prohibitions include:
• Tattoos, body piercing, or body art;
• Cigarettes or tobacco products;
• Liquor or alcohol;
• Gambling, lottery tickets, pari-mutuel wagers;
• Bail bonds; and
• Adult entertainment.
Washington State
Department of Social
& Health Services
WorkFirst/ESSB 5921
Open Discussion
Questions
Ideas
Concerns
How can we partner to implement these changes and
meet the needs of people who will be impacted by them?
How can we partner to communicate these changes to
you and those affected by these changes?
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Washington State
Department of Social
& Health Services
Thank you for coming!
Look for our next meetings in late
January 2012.
Please send additional feedback or
comments to:
• For 2082: [email protected]
• For 5921: [email protected]