Skip to main content
Washington LawHelp
About us Feedback News

  User Survey
  
Helping Low-Income People Find Solutions to Civil Legal Problems
    
 
Government Benefits > 
Cash assistance for families (TANF and WorkFirst)
Legal Information
Find a Lawyer
  Listing of self-help materials and informational publications.
There are 30 resources  
  Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) rules
 
   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
  
   
   Welfare Benefits: TANF Rules and Eligibility
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
 
    Other Formats:   This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page. PDF File
    Read this in: Russian / Pусский , Spanish / Español
  
   
   Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) for Teen Parents
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
 
    Other Formats:   This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page. PDF File
    Read this in: Spanish / Español
  
   
   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). This publication provides specifics about how the 5 year time limit is applied.
By: Northwest Justice Project
 
    Other Formats:   This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page. PDF File
  
   
   Student Financial Aid and Welfare Benefits
This publication explains the affect of receiving student financial aid when you also receive welfare benefits.
By: Northwest Justice Project
 
    Other Formats:   This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page. PDF File
  
   
   Washington State Need Standard Chart (Separate Website)
Basic subsistence limitation chart for determining amount necessary to provide for basic needs. The amounts are adjusted annually.
By: Washington State
  
   
   DSHS Help for People with Disabilities: Necessary Supplemental Accomodations
If you get DSHS benefits, such as TANF, SFA, GAU, 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
 
    Other Formats:   This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page. PDF File
  
   
   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
  
   
back to top      
 
  WorkFirst rules, benefits and problems
 
   WorkFirst: Individual Responsibility Plans
This publication is designed to help you understand how an IRP is created so that you can get the best possible plan for yourself.
By: Northwest Justice Project
 
    Other Formats:   This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page. PDF File
    Read this in: Russian / Pусский
  
   
   WorkFirst Education and Training Opportunities This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.
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 Sanctions
This publication should help you understand sanctions under the WorkFirst program and help you fight a sanction that is wrong.
By: Northwest Justice Project
 
    Other Formats:   This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page. PDF File
  
   
   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
 
    Other Formats:   This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page. PDF File
    Read this in: Russian / Pусский
  
   
   Workfirst and the Family Violence Amendment
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
 
    Other Formats:   This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page. PDF File
    Read this in: Spanish / Español
  
   
   WorkFirst For Working Families
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
 
    Other Formats:   This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page. PDF File
  
   
   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
  
   
   WorkFirst for Those Who Don't Speak English
Information on how to make WorkFirst work best for you if you or someone in your family doesn't speak English.
By: Northwest Justice Project
 
    Other Formats:   This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page. PDF File
    Read this in: Spanish / Español
  
   
back to top      
 
  Emergency cash
 
   Additional Requirements: Extra Money for Welfare (TANF) Clients
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
 
    Other Formats:   This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page. PDF File
    Read this in: Spanish / Español
  
   
   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
 
    Other Formats:   This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page. PDF File
    Read this in: Spanish / Español
  
   
   Diversion Cash Assistance
Diversion Cash Assistance is an emergency grant to a family facing a temporary financial crisis. You may receive up to $1,500.00 in any twelve month period. This publication tells you how to apply for this grant.
By: Northwest Justice Project
 
    Other Formats:   This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page. PDF File
  
   
back to top      
 
  Solving problems with DSHS
 
   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
 
    Other Formats:   This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page. PDF File