Statutes, codes, and regulations
Washington Administrative Code
Title 388 - Social and Health Services, Department ofASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
Chapter 388-484 - TANF/SFA five-year time limit
Section 388-484-0006 - TANF/SFA time limit extensions

Wash. Admin. Code § 388-484-0006

Download
PDF
Current through Register Vol. 24-23, December 1, 2024
Section 388-484-0006 - TANF/SFA time limit extensions
(1)What happens after I receive 60 or more months of TANF/SFA cash assistance?

After you receive 60 or more months of TANF/SFA cash assistance according to WAC 388-484-0005, you may qualify for additional months of cash assistance. We call these additional months of TANF/SFA cash assistance a hardship TANF/SFA time limit extension.

(2)Who is eligible for a hardship TANF/SFA time limit extension?

You are eligible for a hardship TANF/SFA time limit extension if you are on TANF, are otherwise eligible for TANF, received 60 cumulative months of TANF and you:

(a) Are approved for one of the exemptions from mandatory participation according to WAC 388-310-0350 (1)(a) through (d); or
(b) Are a Social Security disability insurance recipient; or
(c) Are at least 65 years old, blind as defined by the Social Security Administration or disabled as determined under chapter 388-449 WAC; or
(d) Have an open child welfare case with a state or tribal government and this is the first time you have had a dependent child under RCW 13.34.030 in Washington or another state or had a child a ward of a tribal court; or
(e) Are working in unsubsidized employment for 32 hours or more per week; or
(f) Document that you meet the family violence option criteria in WAC 388-61-001 and are participating satisfactorily in specialized activities needed to address your family violence according to a service plan developed by a person trained in family violence or have a good reason, as described in WAC 388-310-1600(3) for failure to participate satisfactorily in specialized activities; or
(g) Are homeless by reason of hardship, including when your family includes a child or youth who is without a fixed regular, and adequate nighttime residence as described in the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (Title 42. U.S.C. 11434a(2), chapter 119, sub-chapter VI, part B) as it existed on January 1, 2020; or
(h) Have a child under the age of two years old who lives in the same household and you qualify for any of the infant related exemptions from WorkFirst activities as defined in WAC 388-310-0300(1), or
(i) Were an active TANF recipient from July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2023; or
(j) Were an active TANF recipient, beginning July 1, 2022, when Washington state employment security department's most recently published unemployment rate is seven percent or above.
(k) Do not qualify for other time limit extension criteria in this section and received TANF during a month on or after March 1, 2020, when the Washington state employment security department's unemployment rate was at seven percent or above. The duration of this extension criteria is equal to the number of months that you received TANF on or after March 1, 2020, when the Washington state employment security department's unemployment rate was at seven percent or above.
(3)Who reviews and approves a hardship time limit extension?
(a) Your case manager or social worker will review your case and determine whether a hardship time limit extension type will be approved.
(b) This review will not happen until after you have received at least 52 months of assistance but before you reach your time limit or lose cash assistance due to the time limit.
(c) Before you reach your time limit or lose cash assistance due to the time limit, the department will send you a notice that tells you whether a hardship time limit extension will be approved, when your time limit expires, and how to request an administrative hearing if you disagree with the decision.
(4)When I have an individual responsibility plan, do my Work-First participation requirements change when I receive a hardship TANF/SFA time limit extension?
(a) Even if you qualify for a hardship TANF/SFA time limit extension you will still be required to participate as required in your individual responsibility plan (WAC 388-310-0500). You must still meet all of the WorkFirst participation requirements listed in chapter 388-310 WAC while you receive a hardship TANF/SFA time limit extension.
(b) If you do not participate in the WorkFirst activities required by your individual responsibility plan, and you do not have a good reason under WAC 388-310-1600, the department will follow the sanction rules in WAC 388-310-1600.
(5)Do my benefits change if I receive a hardship TANF/SFA time limit extension?
(a) You are still a TANF/SFA recipient and your cash assistance, services, or supports will not change as long as you continue to meet all other TANF/SFA eligibility requirements.
(b) During the hardship TANF/SFA time limit extension, you must continue to meet all other TANF/SFA eligibility requirements. If you no longer meet TANF/SFA eligibility criteria during your hardship time limit extension, your benefits will end.
(6)How long will a hardship TANF/SFA time limit extension last?
(a) We will review your hardship TANF/SFA time limit extension and your case periodically for changes in family circumstances:
(i) If you are extended under WAC 388-484-0006 (2)(a) then we will review your extension at least every 12 months;
(ii) If you are extended under WAC 388-484-0006 (2)(b), (2)(c), (2)(d), or (2)(e) then we will review your extension at least every six months.
(b) Your hardship TANF/SFA time limit extension may be renewed for as long as you continue to meet the criteria to qualify for a hardship time limit extension.
(c) If during the extension period we get proof that your circumstances have changed, we may review your case and determine if you continue to qualify for a hardship TANF/SFA time limit extension. When you no longer qualify for a hardship TANF/SFA time limit extension we will stop your TANF/SFA cash assistance. You will be notified of your case closing and will be given the opportunity to request an administrative hearing before your benefits will stop.

Wash. Admin. Code § 388-484-0006

Amended by WSR 15-24-056, Filed 11/24/2015, effective 1/1/2016
Amended by WSR 20-05-046, Filed 2/13/2020, effective 3/15/2020
Amended by WSR 21-12-077, Filed 5/28/2021, effective 7/1/2021
Amended by WSR 21-22-053, Filed 10/28/2021, effective 11/28/2021
Amended by WSR 23-01-020, Filed 12/8/2022, effective 1/8/2023
Amended by WSR 23-24-036, Filed 11/30/2023, effective 12/31/2023
Amended by WSR 24-16-120, Filed 8/6/2024, effective 9/6/2024

Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, chapters 74.08A and 74.12 RCW, 2011 1st sp.s. c 42, and 2011 1st sp.s. c 2. 12-05-039, § 388-484-0006, filed 2/10/12, effective 3/12/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, and chapters 74.08A and 74.12 RCW. 10-24-013, § 388-484-0006, filed 11/18/10, effective 12/19/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, and chapter 74.08A RCW. 06-10-034, § 388-484-0006, filed 4/27/06, effective 6/1/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.04.050, and 74.08A.340. 03-24-057, § 388-484-0006, filed 12/1/03, effective 1/1/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08A.010(4), 74.08A.340, 74.08.090, 74.04.050. 02-12-068, § 388-484-0006, filed 5/31/02, effective 6/1/02.