Provides legal services related to Social Security benefits, including advocacy, counsel, advice, and sometimes full representation for low-income and homeless individuals with disabilities. Offers free self-help packets designed for those who need explanative information regarding their specific SSI/SSDI issue. Can assist with:   -  Overpayment and underpayments -  Terminations and reductions -  Continuing disability reviews -  Fraud (non-criminal only)   -  Age 18 re-determinations    -  Applications, denials, and appeals Also can assist if someone is having trouble accessing their benefits because of a warrant.

Provides financial assistance to Washington residents in need who meet eligibility requirements. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF/WorkFirst): -  Provides monthly cash grants and medical assistance to eligible low-income families with minor children in the home. -  Applicants attend a WorkFirst orientation and eligibility interview.   -  Pregnant and parenting minors may be eligible for TANF benefits if they meet additional eligibility requirements, as determined by a DSHS social worker.   -  Adults may also be eligible for WorkFirst support, which will pay for items clients must have in order to look for work, prepare for work or accept a better job. -  Assistance may include transportation, car repairs, interview and work clothes, licenses and tools and equipment.   -  Assistance will be provided via vouchers or pre-paid merchant cards.   Aged Blind and Disabled (ABD): -  Provides financial assistance for people with a long-term or permanent disability, or who are blind, or who are age 65 or older and meet income and resource requirements.     Emergency Assistance: -  TANF, Workfirst, SFA and RCA clients may apply for supplemental financial assistance when faced with an emergency caused by circumstances out of their control.   -  Funding may be approved for rent (EVICTION NOTICES); electric, gas, heating fuel, water/sewer or telephone utility shut-off notices; or deposit move-in costs for homeless individuals and families.   -  Includes Additional Requirements for Emergent Needs (AREN). AREN payments may be made up to a maximum of $750 in a 12-month period.   - Also includes WorkFirst support services, which helps with rent, mortgage, taxes, insurance, utilities, moving costs, all housing-related fees, hookup fees, refundable and non-refundable deposits, and temporary housing for households participating in WorkFirst. Up to $5,000 is available in a 12-month period. Pregnant Women's Assistance: - Provides financial assistance for pregnant women who are not eligible for TANF but meet TANF income and resource requirements. Diversion Cash Assistance (DCA): -  Provides a cash grant program designed to prevent households with children from having to enroll in public assistance, by assisting with living expenses for needs such as: - Housing - Transportation - Child care - Food and employment-related expenses.   Clients may be referred to DSHS non-cash programs such as food stamps. Staff may also refer to other social service programs including domestic violence services, clothing banks, food pantries, etc. Housing and Essential Needs (HEN): -  Provides housing and essential needs vouchers for adults who have a shorter-term disability and meet income and resource requirements.   Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA): -  Cash assistance is available to refugees with no minor children for the first eight months after their arrival.   -  Refugees with minor children are likely eligible for TANF.   State Family Assistance: -  Cash assistance program established for legal immigrants with dependent children who are ineligible for TANF because of immigrant status.

Provides financial assistance to Washington residents in need who meet eligibility requirements. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF/WorkFirst): -  Provides monthly cash grants and medical assistance to eligible low-income families with minor children in the home. -  Applicants attend a WorkFirst orientation and eligibility interview.   -  Pregnant and parenting minors may be eligible for TANF benefits if they meet additional eligibility requirements, as determined by a DSHS social worker.   -  Adults may also be eligible for WorkFirst support, which will pay for items clients must have in order to look for work, prepare for work or accept a better job. -  Assistance may include transportation, car repairs, interview and work clothes, licenses and tools and equipment.   -  Assistance will be provided via vouchers or pre-paid merchant cards.   Aged Blind and Disabled (ABD): -  Provides financial assistance for people with a long-term or permanent disability, or who are blind, or who are age 65 or older and meet income and resource requirements.     Emergency Assistance: -  TANF, Workfirst, SFA and RCA clients may apply for supplemental financial assistance when faced with an emergency caused by circumstances out of their control.   -  Funding may be approved for rent (EVICTION NOTICES); electric, gas, heating fuel, water/sewer or telephone utility shut-off notices; or deposit move-in costs for homeless individuals and families.   -  Includes Additional Requirements for Emergent Needs (AREN). AREN payments may be made up to a maximum of $750 in a 12-month period.   - Also includes WorkFirst support services, which helps with rent, mortgage, taxes, insurance, utilities, moving costs, all housing-related fees, hookup fees, refundable and non-refundable deposits, and temporary housing for households participating in WorkFirst. Up to $5,000 is available in a 12-month period. Pregnant Women's Assistance: - Provides financial assistance for pregnant women who are not eligible for TANF but meet TANF income and resource requirements. Diversion Cash Assistance (DCA): -  Provides a cash grant program designed to prevent households with children from having to enroll in public assistance, by assisting with living expenses for needs such as: - Housing - Transportation - Child care - Food and employment-related expenses.   Clients may be referred to DSHS non-cash programs such as food stamps. Staff may also refer to other social service programs including domestic violence services, clothing banks, food pantries, etc. Housing and Essential Needs (HEN): -  Provides housing and essential needs vouchers for adults who have a shorter-term disability and meet income and resource requirements.   Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA): -  Cash assistance is available to refugees with no minor children for the first eight months after their arrival.   -  Refugees with minor children are likely eligible for TANF.   State Family Assistance: -  Cash assistance program established for legal immigrants with dependent children who are ineligible for TANF because of immigrant status.

Provides monthly checks for people who have worked in the past and who are now unable to work because of a disability. The amount of the monthly disability benefit is based on the Social Security earnings record of the insured worker. SSDI checks may start at the sixth full month of the disability, although claims may be filed before that time.   Claims may also be filed for up to 12 months retroactively.   Individuals with disabilities may qualify for vocational rehabilitation services which could result in a return to work.   Recipients of SSDI may also be eligible for Medicare benefits.   Offers a Compassionate Allowances initiative that benefits people with certain rare diseases.   This initiative will fast-track applications for Social Security disability for applicants with any of 25 rare diseases and 25 cancers whose medical conditions are very severe.   Currently, many people with rare diseases experience lengthy delays when they apply for Social Security assistance because those making the decisions are not familiar with their diseases.   

Operates legal clinics providing free 30 minute consultations with an attorney at multiple locations across King County. As of 9/2024, most clinics are telephonic, but there may be limited in-person availability in Seattle and Kent. Details will be provided to clients during intake screening. Clinic attorneys can: - Determine whether the client has a legal problem - Suggest possible options - Help answer papers, summons and requests - Provide appropriate referrals Neighborhood Legal Clinic attorneys may not have expertise in all areas of the law, but they will make every attempt to answer questions accurately. Attorneys CANNOT give advice on criminal legal issues or provide representation on any legal matters.

Operates a legal clinic providing a free 30-minute consultation with an attorney (60 minutes if an interpreter or other accommodation is needed) Clinic is open to all, but particular focus is on providing culturally-informed legal services in a safe and welcoming environment to individuals who identify as African American or Black. This clinic is staffed primarily by attorneys of color. Clinic attorneys can: -  Determine whether the client has a legal problem -  Suggest possible options -  Help answer papers, summons and requests -  Provide appropriate referrals   Neighborhood Legal Clinic attorneys may not have expertise in all areas of the law, but they will make every attempt to answer questions accurately. Attorneys CANNOT give advice on criminal legal issues or provide representation on any legal matters.

Provides financial assistance to Washington residents in need who meet eligibility requirements. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF/WorkFirst): -  Provides monthly cash grants and medical assistance to eligible low-income families with minor children in the home. -  Applicants attend a WorkFirst orientation and eligibility interview.   -  Pregnant and parenting minors may be eligible for TANF benefits if they meet additional eligibility requirements, as determined by a DSHS social worker.   -  Adults may also be eligible for WorkFirst support, which will pay for items clients must have in order to look for work, prepare for work or accept a better job. -  Assistance may include transportation, car repairs, interview and work clothes, licenses and tools and equipment.   -  Assistance will be provided via vouchers or pre-paid merchant cards.   Aged Blind and Disabled (ABD): -  Provides financial assistance for people with a long-term or permanent disability, or who are blind, or who are age 65 or older and meet income and resource requirements.     Emergency Assistance: -  TANF, Workfirst, SFA and RCA clients may apply for supplemental financial assistance when faced with an emergency caused by circumstances out of their control.   -  Funding may be approved for rent (EVICTION NOTICES); electric, gas, heating fuel, water/sewer or telephone utility shut-off notices; or deposit move-in costs for homeless individuals and families.   -  Includes Additional Requirements for Emergent Needs (AREN). AREN payments may be made up to a maximum of $750 in a 12-month period.   - Also includes WorkFirst support services, which helps with rent, mortgage, taxes, insurance, utilities, moving costs, all housing-related fees, hookup fees, refundable and non-refundable deposits, and temporary housing for households participating in WorkFirst. Up to $5,000 is available in a 12-month period. Pregnant Women's Assistance: - Provides financial assistance for pregnant women who are not eligible for TANF but meet TANF income and resource requirements. Diversion Cash Assistance (DCA): -  Provides a cash grant program designed to prevent households with children from having to enroll in public assistance, by assisting with living expenses for needs such as: - Housing - Transportation - Child care - Food and employment-related expenses.   Clients may be referred to DSHS non-cash programs such as food stamps. Staff may also refer to other social service programs including domestic violence services, clothing banks, food pantries, etc. Housing and Essential Needs (HEN): -  Provides housing and essential needs vouchers for adults who have a shorter-term disability and meet income and resource requirements.   Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA): -  Cash assistance is available to refugees with no minor children for the first eight months after their arrival.   -  Refugees with minor children are likely eligible for TANF.   State Family Assistance: -  Cash assistance program established for legal immigrants with dependent children who are ineligible for TANF because of immigrant status.

Provides financial assistance to Washington residents in need who meet eligibility requirements. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF/WorkFirst): -  Provides monthly cash grants and medical assistance to eligible low-income families with minor children in the home. -  Applicants attend a WorkFirst orientation and eligibility interview.   -  Pregnant and parenting minors may be eligible for TANF benefits if they meet additional eligibility requirements, as determined by a DSHS social worker.   -  Adults may also be eligible for WorkFirst support, which will pay for items clients must have in order to look for work, prepare for work or accept a better job. -  Assistance may include transportation, car repairs, interview and work clothes, licenses and tools and equipment.   -  Assistance will be provided via vouchers or pre-paid merchant cards.   Aged Blind and Disabled (ABD): -  Provides financial assistance for people with a long-term or permanent disability, or who are blind, or who are age 65 or older and meet income and resource requirements.     Emergency Assistance: -  TANF, Workfirst, SFA and RCA clients may apply for supplemental financial assistance when faced with an emergency caused by circumstances out of their control.   -  Funding may be approved for rent (EVICTION NOTICES); electric, gas, heating fuel, water/sewer or telephone utility shut-off notices; or deposit move-in costs for homeless individuals and families.   -  Includes Additional Requirements for Emergent Needs (AREN). AREN payments may be made up to a maximum of $750 in a 12-month period.   - Also includes WorkFirst support services, which helps with rent, mortgage, taxes, insurance, utilities, moving costs, all housing-related fees, hookup fees, refundable and non-refundable deposits, and temporary housing for households participating in WorkFirst. Up to $5,000 is available in a 12-month period. Pregnant Women's Assistance: - Provides financial assistance for pregnant women who are not eligible for TANF but meet TANF income and resource requirements. Diversion Cash Assistance (DCA): -  Provides a cash grant program designed to prevent households with children from having to enroll in public assistance, by assisting with living expenses for needs such as: - Housing - Transportation - Child care - Food and employment-related expenses.   Clients may be referred to DSHS non-cash programs such as food stamps. Staff may also refer to other social service programs including domestic violence services, clothing banks, food pantries, etc. Housing and Essential Needs (HEN): -  Provides housing and essential needs vouchers for adults who have a shorter-term disability and meet income and resource requirements.   Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA): -  Cash assistance is available to refugees with no minor children for the first eight months after their arrival.   -  Refugees with minor children are likely eligible for TANF.   State Family Assistance: -  Cash assistance program established for legal immigrants with dependent children who are ineligible for TANF because of immigrant status.

Offers free self-help packets designed for those who need explanative information regarding SSI/SSDI overpayment, continuing disability review (CDR), and age 18 redetermination.

Provides monthly benefit payments to certain wartime veterans with financial need, and their survivors. Pension brings their total income, including other retirement or Social Security income, to a level set by Congress. An increased monthly pension amount may be paid to a veteran or surviving spouse if he or she requires the aid of another person to perform activities of daily living or if he or she is housebound.

Pays out permanent partial disability awards based on legal statute and determined by degree of bodily impairment.   Pension benefits are paid when the job injury results in a permanent inability to work at gainful employment.   Interpreter services are available upon request with one day notice.

Provides monthly checks for people who have worked in the past and who are now unable to work because of a disability. The amount of the monthly disability benefit is based on the Social Security earnings record of the insured worker. SSDI checks may start at the sixth full month of the disability, although claims may be filed before that time.   Claims may also be filed for up to 12 months retroactively.   Individuals with disabilities may qualify for vocational rehabilitation services which could result in a return to work.   Recipients of SSDI may also be eligible for Medicare benefits.   Offers a Compassionate Allowances initiative that benefits people with certain rare diseases.   This initiative will fast-track applications for Social Security disability for applicants with any of 25 rare diseases and 25 cancers whose medical conditions are very severe.   Currently, many people with rare diseases experience lengthy delays when they apply for Social Security assistance because those making the decisions are not familiar with their diseases.   

Provides monthly checks for people who have worked in the past and who are now unable to work because of a disability. The amount of the monthly disability benefit is based on the Social Security earnings record of the insured worker. SSDI checks may start at the sixth full month of the disability, although claims may be filed before that time.   Claims may also be filed for up to 12 months retroactively.   Individuals with disabilities may qualify for vocational rehabilitation services which could result in a return to work.   Recipients of SSDI may also be eligible for Medicare benefits.   Offers a Compassionate Allowances initiative that benefits people with certain rare diseases.   This initiative will fast-track applications for Social Security disability for applicants with any of 25 rare diseases and 25 cancers whose medical conditions are very severe.   Currently, many people with rare diseases experience lengthy delays when they apply for Social Security assistance because those making the decisions are not familiar with their diseases.   

Provides financial assistance to Washington residents in need who meet eligibility requirements. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF/WorkFirst): -  Provides monthly cash grants and medical assistance to eligible low-income families with minor children in the home. -  Applicants attend a WorkFirst orientation and eligibility interview.   -  Pregnant and parenting minors may be eligible for TANF benefits if they meet additional eligibility requirements, as determined by a DSHS social worker.   -  Adults may also be eligible for WorkFirst support, which will pay for items clients must have in order to look for work, prepare for work or accept a better job. -  Assistance may include transportation, car repairs, interview and work clothes, licenses and tools and equipment.   -  Assistance will be provided via vouchers or pre-paid merchant cards.   Aged Blind and Disabled (ABD): -  Provides financial assistance for people with a long-term or permanent disability, or who are blind, or who are age 65 or older and meet income and resource requirements.     Emergency Assistance: -  TANF, Workfirst, SFA and RCA clients may apply for supplemental financial assistance when faced with an emergency caused by circumstances out of their control.   -  Funding may be approved for rent (EVICTION NOTICES); electric, gas, heating fuel, water/sewer or telephone utility shut-off notices; or deposit move-in costs for homeless individuals and families.   -  Includes Additional Requirements for Emergent Needs (AREN). AREN payments may be made up to a maximum of $750 in a 12-month period.   - Also includes WorkFirst support services, which helps with rent, mortgage, taxes, insurance, utilities, moving costs, all housing-related fees, hookup fees, refundable and non-refundable deposits, and temporary housing for households participating in WorkFirst. Up to $5,000 is available in a 12-month period. Pregnant Women's Assistance: - Provides financial assistance for pregnant women who are not eligible for TANF but meet TANF income and resource requirements. Diversion Cash Assistance (DCA): -  Provides a cash grant program designed to prevent households with children from having to enroll in public assistance, by assisting with living expenses for needs such as: - Housing - Transportation - Child care - Food and employment-related expenses.   Clients may be referred to DSHS non-cash programs such as food stamps. Staff may also refer to other social service programs including domestic violence services, clothing banks, food pantries, etc. Housing and Essential Needs (HEN): -  Provides housing and essential needs vouchers for adults who have a shorter-term disability and meet income and resource requirements.   Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA): -  Cash assistance is available to refugees with no minor children for the first eight months after their arrival.   -  Refugees with minor children are likely eligible for TANF.   State Family Assistance: -  Cash assistance program established for legal immigrants with dependent children who are ineligible for TANF because of immigrant status.

Pays out permanent partial disability awards based on legal statute and determined by degree of bodily impairment.   Pension benefits are paid when the job injury results in a permanent inability to work at gainful employment.   Interpreter services are available upon request with one day notice.

Provides financial assistance to Washington residents in need who meet eligibility requirements. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF/WorkFirst): -  Provides monthly cash grants and medical assistance to eligible low-income families with minor children in the home. -  Applicants attend a WorkFirst orientation and eligibility interview.   -  Pregnant and parenting minors may be eligible for TANF benefits if they meet additional eligibility requirements, as determined by a DSHS social worker.   -  Adults may also be eligible for WorkFirst support, which will pay for items clients must have in order to look for work, prepare for work or accept a better job. -  Assistance may include transportation, car repairs, interview and work clothes, licenses and tools and equipment.   -  Assistance will be provided via vouchers or pre-paid merchant cards.   Aged Blind and Disabled (ABD): -  Provides financial assistance for people with a long-term or permanent disability, or who are blind, or who are age 65 or older and meet income and resource requirements.     Emergency Assistance: -  TANF, Workfirst, SFA and RCA clients may apply for supplemental financial assistance when faced with an emergency caused by circumstances out of their control.   -  Funding may be approved for rent (EVICTION NOTICES); electric, gas, heating fuel, water/sewer or telephone utility shut-off notices; or deposit move-in costs for homeless individuals and families.   -  Includes Additional Requirements for Emergent Needs (AREN). AREN payments may be made up to a maximum of $750 in a 12-month period.   - Also includes WorkFirst support services, which helps with rent, mortgage, taxes, insurance, utilities, moving costs, all housing-related fees, hookup fees, refundable and non-refundable deposits, and temporary housing for households participating in WorkFirst. Up to $5,000 is available in a 12-month period. Pregnant Women's Assistance: - Provides financial assistance for pregnant women who are not eligible for TANF but meet TANF income and resource requirements. Diversion Cash Assistance (DCA): -  Provides a cash grant program designed to prevent households with children from having to enroll in public assistance, by assisting with living expenses for needs such as: - Housing - Transportation - Child care - Food and employment-related expenses.   Clients may be referred to DSHS non-cash programs such as food stamps. Staff may also refer to other social service programs including domestic violence services, clothing banks, food pantries, etc. Housing and Essential Needs (HEN): -  Provides housing and essential needs vouchers for adults who have a shorter-term disability and meet income and resource requirements.   Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA): -  Cash assistance is available to refugees with no minor children for the first eight months after their arrival.   -  Refugees with minor children are likely eligible for TANF.   State Family Assistance: -  Cash assistance program established for legal immigrants with dependent children who are ineligible for TANF because of immigrant status.

Contracts with Social Security Administration to adjudicate medical eligibility benefits under Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income rules and regulations.   Processes initial applications, reconsiderations, continuing disability reviews, continuing disability review reconsiderations and disability hearings.   The following claims are processed in the Washington DDDS: - Initial Applications - Reconsiderations - 1st appeal of denial - Continuing Disability Reviews - periodic reviews to determine if those who are on benefits still qualify. - Disability Hearings - face to face informal hearing as part of the appeal of Continuing Disability Review cessation. - DSHS Non-Grant Medical Assistance

Will assist veterans of all ages in completing all paperwork addressing new and/or additional benefits for veterans.

Monetary benefits are paid to veterans with diseases or disabilities incurred or aggravated during active military service.   Benefits received are based upon the amount of disability caused by the injury or disease.

Provides financial assistance to Washington residents in need who meet eligibility requirements. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF/WorkFirst): -  Provides monthly cash grants and medical assistance to eligible low-income families with minor children in the home. -  Applicants attend a WorkFirst orientation and eligibility interview.   -  Pregnant and parenting minors may be eligible for TANF benefits if they meet additional eligibility requirements, as determined by a DSHS social worker.   -  Adults may also be eligible for WorkFirst support, which will pay for items clients must have in order to look for work, prepare for work or accept a better job. -  Assistance may include transportation, car repairs, interview and work clothes, licenses and tools and equipment.   -  Assistance will be provided via vouchers or pre-paid merchant cards.   Aged Blind and Disabled (ABD): -  Provides financial assistance for people with a long-term or permanent disability, or who are blind, or who are age 65 or older and meet income and resource requirements.     Emergency Assistance: -  TANF, Workfirst, SFA and RCA clients may apply for supplemental financial assistance when faced with an emergency caused by circumstances out of their control.   -  Funding may be approved for rent (EVICTION NOTICES); electric, gas, heating fuel, water/sewer or telephone utility shut-off notices; or deposit move-in costs for homeless individuals and families.   -  Includes Additional Requirements for Emergent Needs (AREN). AREN payments may be made up to a maximum of $750 in a 12-month period.   - Also includes WorkFirst support services, which helps with rent, mortgage, taxes, insurance, utilities, moving costs, all housing-related fees, hookup fees, refundable and non-refundable deposits, and temporary housing for households participating in WorkFirst. Up to $5,000 is available in a 12-month period. Pregnant Women's Assistance: - Provides financial assistance for pregnant women who are not eligible for TANF but meet TANF income and resource requirements. Diversion Cash Assistance (DCA): -  Provides a cash grant program designed to prevent households with children from having to enroll in public assistance, by assisting with living expenses for needs such as: - Housing - Transportation - Child care - Food and employment-related expenses.   Clients may be referred to DSHS non-cash programs such as food stamps. Staff may also refer to other social service programs including domestic violence services, clothing banks, food pantries, etc. Housing and Essential Needs (HEN): -  Provides housing and essential needs vouchers for adults who have a shorter-term disability and meet income and resource requirements.   Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA): -  Cash assistance is available to refugees with no minor children for the first eight months after their arrival.   -  Refugees with minor children are likely eligible for TANF.   State Family Assistance: -  Cash assistance program established for legal immigrants with dependent children who are ineligible for TANF because of immigrant status.

Pays out permanent partial disability awards based on legal statute and determined by degree of bodily impairment.   Pension benefits are paid when the job injury results in a permanent inability to work at gainful employment.   Interpreter services are available upon request with one day notice.

Provides monthly checks for people who have worked in the past and who are now unable to work because of a disability. The amount of the monthly disability benefit is based on the Social Security earnings record of the insured worker. SSDI checks may start at the sixth full month of the disability, although claims may be filed before that time.   Claims may also be filed for up to 12 months retroactively.   Individuals with disabilities may qualify for vocational rehabilitation services which could result in a return to work.   Recipients of SSDI may also be eligible for Medicare benefits.   Offers a Compassionate Allowances initiative that benefits people with certain rare diseases.   This initiative will fast-track applications for Social Security disability for applicants with any of 25 rare diseases and 25 cancers whose medical conditions are very severe.   Currently, many people with rare diseases experience lengthy delays when they apply for Social Security assistance because those making the decisions are not familiar with their diseases.   

Provides referrals to local private attorneys who can represent claimants applying for SSDI and SSI benefits, and those appealing a denial of SSDI and SSI benefits. All attorneys listed by NOSSCR accept new clients when their cases reach the hearing level (which means that the individual has been denied twice). Most members of NOSSCR also represent individuals earlier in the process, and many work on a contingency basis.

Provides monthly checks for people who have worked in the past and who are now unable to work because of a disability. The amount of the monthly disability benefit is based on the Social Security earnings record of the insured worker. SSDI checks may start at the sixth full month of the disability, although claims may be filed before that time.   Claims may also be filed for up to 12 months retroactively.   Individuals with disabilities may qualify for vocational rehabilitation services which could result in a return to work.   Recipients of SSDI may also be eligible for Medicare benefits.   Offers a Compassionate Allowances initiative that benefits people with certain rare diseases.   This initiative will fast-track applications for Social Security disability for applicants with any of 25 rare diseases and 25 cancers whose medical conditions are very severe.   Currently, many people with rare diseases experience lengthy delays when they apply for Social Security assistance because those making the decisions are not familiar with their diseases.   

Provides financial assistance to Washington residents in need who meet eligibility requirements. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF/WorkFirst): -  Provides monthly cash grants and medical assistance to eligible low-income families with minor children in the home. -  Applicants attend a WorkFirst orientation and eligibility interview.   -  Pregnant and parenting minors may be eligible for TANF benefits if they meet additional eligibility requirements, as determined by a DSHS social worker.   -  Adults may also be eligible for WorkFirst support, which will pay for items clients must have in order to look for work, prepare for work or accept a better job. -  Assistance may include transportation, car repairs, interview and work clothes, licenses and tools and equipment.   -  Assistance will be provided via vouchers or pre-paid merchant cards.   Aged Blind and Disabled (ABD): -  Provides financial assistance for people with a long-term or permanent disability, or who are blind, or who are age 65 or older and meet income and resource requirements.     Emergency Assistance: -  TANF, Workfirst, SFA and RCA clients may apply for supplemental financial assistance when faced with an emergency caused by circumstances out of their control.   -  Funding may be approved for rent (EVICTION NOTICES); electric, gas, heating fuel, water/sewer or telephone utility shut-off notices; or deposit move-in costs for homeless individuals and families.   -  Includes Additional Requirements for Emergent Needs (AREN). AREN payments may be made up to a maximum of $750 in a 12-month period.   - Also includes WorkFirst support services, which helps with rent, mortgage, taxes, insurance, utilities, moving costs, all housing-related fees, hookup fees, refundable and non-refundable deposits, and temporary housing for households participating in WorkFirst. Up to $5,000 is available in a 12-month period. Pregnant Women's Assistance: - Provides financial assistance for pregnant women who are not eligible for TANF but meet TANF income and resource requirements. Diversion Cash Assistance (DCA): -  Provides a cash grant program designed to prevent households with children from having to enroll in public assistance, by assisting with living expenses for needs such as: - Housing - Transportation - Child care - Food and employment-related expenses.   Clients may be referred to DSHS non-cash programs such as food stamps. Staff may also refer to other social service programs including domestic violence services, clothing banks, food pantries, etc. Housing and Essential Needs (HEN): -  Provides housing and essential needs vouchers for adults who have a shorter-term disability and meet income and resource requirements.   Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA): -  Cash assistance is available to refugees with no minor children for the first eight months after their arrival.   -  Refugees with minor children are likely eligible for TANF.   State Family Assistance: -  Cash assistance program established for legal immigrants with dependent children who are ineligible for TANF because of immigrant status.