Listing of self-help materials and informational publications.
There are 25 resources
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance
ParentHelp123.org Benefit Finder
(Separate Website)
Using the Benefit Finder, families can learn if they may be eligible for free and low-cost health insurance and food assistance, and then complete their program applications on-line!
By: WithinReach
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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How to Fight A Termination of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Benefits based on Non-disability Reasons
Social Security must notify you in writing before reducing or stopping your benefits. You may fight the termination by asking for reconsideration. You may continue to receive the same benefits after the 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 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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Questions and Answers on Immigrants Who May Lose Eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
This brochure is provided to help you educate immigrants who have come to the United States on or after August 22, 1996 and may be receiving SSI because they are disabled or 65 and over. THESE IMMIGRANTS MAY NEED TO BECOME CITIZENS IN ORDER TO CONTINUE TO KEEP GETTING THEIR SSI.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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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
Severe.net
(Separate Website)
Social Security Disability Benefits Law Information and Resources.
Notice: GAU Benefits Are Changing! GAU benefits have been renamed Disability Lifeline. These benefits will terminate after 24 months unles GAX is approved.
By: Northwest Justice Project
GA-U Medical Has Changed: November 2009
As of November 1, 2009, most General Assistance-Unemployable (GA-U) recipients across Washington State became managed care enrollees, meaning they receive their care through Community Health Plan. If you are on GA-U and in managed care, you are now able to receive mental health services. This publication briefly outlines some of the other changes to your care.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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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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Russian / Pусский
,
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Applying for Public Assistance
Information about the application process to receive public assistance.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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General Assistance Denial for Medical Reasons
7111EN - The Disability Lifeline program (formerly GAU) program provides income and medical coverage if you are a citizen or eligible immigrant, you have income and resources within Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) rules, and you are "incapacitated." Incapacitated means you are unable to work due to physical or mental conditions (or both) that are expected to last at least 90 days.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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How to Fight Your GAU Termination Due to Medical Improvement
When you start getting General Assistance Unemployable (GAU) benefits, the local Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) welfare office uses the medical evidence that proves you are incapacitated (unable to work) to decide how soon they should review your case. After the review, they may send you a letter saying that they will terminate (stop) your benefits. This publication tells you what you can do if you disagree with their decision.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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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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Disability Services from the Department of Social and Health Services
(Separate Website)
Information about disability services offered throughout the State of Washington.
By: DSHS
GA-U Time Limit Terminations Start September 1, 2010 The new time limits are retroactive. People who received GAU (or DL) for 24 months within the past 60 months will be terminated starting September 1st. This publication contains info on how to appeal and/or get legal assistance.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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
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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
An overpayment occurs when you receive benefits you are not eligible for according to DSHS rules. DSHS gets the benefits back by charging you with an overpayment. This publication provides info on the types of overpayments and what you can do if you disagree.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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Representing Yourself at a Fair Hearing
If you don't 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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How to Present an Equitable Estoppel Defense at a DSHS Hearing
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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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
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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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