Eligibility A-Z (EA-Z) WAC (Rules) Index

Updated: April 1, 2024

Purpose: 

This page lists the Washington Administrative Codes (WACs) used throughout the Eligibility A-Z Manual. Use the "Find on this Page" (Ctrl+F) feature to quickly search for a WAC number or title. 

 
388-002-0495 What is equitable estoppel?
 
388-106-0045 When will the department authorize my long-term care services?
 
388-271-0010 What are limited English proficient (LEP) services?
388-271-0020 What are the department's responsibilities in providing me with an interpreter?
388-271-0030 What are the department's responsibilities in providing me with written communication in my primary language?
 
388-273-0010 Purpose of the Washington Telephone Assistance Program
388-273-0020 Who may receive Washington Telephone Assistance Program (WTAP)?
388-273-0025 Benefits you receive as a WTAP participant.
388-273-0030 How You Can Apply for WTAP.
388-273-0035 What We Reimburse the Local Telephone Company.
 
388-310-1600 WorkFirst-Sanctions.
388-310-1650 WorkFirst--Child SafetyNet Payments.
 
388-400-0005 Who is eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families?
388-400-0010 Who is eligible for State Family Assistance?
388-400-0030 Who is eligible for refugee cash assistance?
388-400-0040 Am I eligible for benefits through the Washington Basic Food program?
388-400-0050 If I am not eligible for federal benefits through Washington Basic Food Program because of my alien status, can I receive state-funded Basic Food?
388-400-0047 Am I eligible for the heat and eat program?
388-400-0050 If I am not eligible for federal benefits through Washington Basic Food program because of my alien status, can I receive benefits through the state-funded food assistance program?
388-400-0055 Who is eligible for the Pregnant Women Assistance (PWA) program?
388-400-0060 Who is eligible for aged, blind, or disabled (ABD) cash assistance?
388-400-0065 Housing and Essential Needs (HEN)
388-400-0070 Who is eligible for referral to the Housing and Essential Needs (HEN) program?
 
388-404-0005 How does a child's age and attendance in school affect their eligibility for TANF and SFA?
388-404-0015 Definition of elderly person for food and cash assistance programs
 
388-406-0005 Can I apply for cash or Basic Food? 
388-406-0010 How do I apply for cash assistance or Basic Food benefits?
388-406-0012 What is the date of my application and how does it affect my benefits?
388-406-0015 Can I get Basic Food right away?
388-406-0021 How does being a migrant or seasonal farmworker affect my application for Basic Food?
388-406-0030 Do I need to submit other information after I apply for benefits?
388-406-0035 How long does the department have to process my application?
388-406-0040 What happens if the processing of my application is delayed?
388-406-0045 Is there a good reason my application for cash assistance has not been processed?
388-406-0050 How do I know when my application is processed?
388-406-0055 When do my benefits start?
388-406-0056 When does my eligibility for referral to the Housing and Essential Needs (HEN) program begin
388-406-0060 What happens when my application is denied?
388-406-0065 Can I still get benefits even after my application is denied?
 
388-408-0005 What is a cash assistance unit?
388-408-0015 Who must be in my assistance unit?
388-408-0020 When am I not allowed to be in a TANF or SFA assistance unit?
388-408-0025 When can I choose who is in my TANF or SFA assistance unit?
388-408-0030 What children must be in the same TANF or SFA assistance unit?
388-408-0034 What is an assistance unit for Basic Food?
388-408-0035 Who is in my assistance unit for Basic Food?
388-408-0040 How does living in an institution affect my eligibility for Basic Food?
388-408-0045 Am I eligible for Basic Food if I live in a shelter for battered women and children?
388-408-0050 Does the department consider me as homeless for Basic Food benefits?
388-408-0060 Who is in my assistance unit for Aged, Blind, or Disabled (ABD) cash assistance?
388-408-0070 Who is included in my assistance unit when the department determines eligibility for referral to the Housing and Essential Needs (HEN) program?
 
388-410-0001 What is a cash assistance overpayment?
388-410-0005 Cash assistance overpayment amount and liability
388-410-0010 Repayment of grant overpayment occurring prior to April 3, 1982, and resulting from department error
388-410-0015 Recovery of cash assistance overpayments by mandatory grant deduction
388-410-0020 What happens if I receive more Basic Food or WASHCAP benefits than I am supposed to receive?
388-410-0025 Am I responsible for an overpayment in my assistance unit?
388-410-0030 How does the department calculate and set up my Basic Food or WASHCAP overpayment?
388-410-0033 How and when does the department collect a Basic Food or WASHCAP overpayment?
388-410-0035 Are alien and alien sponsors jointly responsible for cash and food assistance overpayments?
388-410-0040 Cash and food assistance underpayments.
 
388-412-0005 General information about your cash benefits.
388-412-0010 Endorsing the warrant.
388-412-0015 General information about your food assistance allotments.
388-412-0020 When do I get my benefits?
388-412-0025 How do I receive my benefits?
388-412-0030 Returning a warrant.
388-412-0035 Loss, theft, destruction or nonreceipt of a warrant issued to clients and vendors.
388-412-0040 Can I get my benefits replaced?
388-412-0046 What is the purpose of DSHS cash and food assistance benefits and how can I use my benefits?
 
388-414-0001 Do I have to meet all eligibility requirements for Basic Food?
 
388-416-0005 How long can I get Basic Food?
 
388-418-0005 How will I know what changes to report?
388-418-0007 When do I have to report changes in my circumstances?
388-418-0011 What is a mid-certification review, and do I have to complete one in order to keep receiving benefits?
388-418-0020 How does the department determine the date a change affects my cash and Basic Food benefits?
 
388-420-0010 Alcohol and drug treatment centers.
 
388-422-0005 What happens to my child and spousal support when I get public assistance?
388-422-0010 Do I have to cooperate with the division of child support (DCS)?
388-422-0020 What if you are afraid that cooperating with the division of child support (DCS) may be dangerous for you or the child in your care?
388-422-0030 What happens if my support is more than my TANF or SFA cash benefit?
 
388-424-0001 Citizenship and alien status - Definitions
388-424-0006 Citizenship and alien status - Date of Entry
388-424-0007 Citizenship and alien status - Armed Services or Veteran Status
388-424-0008 Citizenship and alien status - Work Quarters
388-424-0009 Citizenship and alien status - Social Security Number (SSN) Requirements
388-424-0010 Citizenship and alien status - Eligibility for TANF.
388-424-0015 Immigrant eligibility restrictions for the State Family Assistance, ABD cash and PWA programs. 
388-424-0020 How does my alien status impact my eligibility for federally-funded Basic Food benefits?
388-424-0025 How does my alien status impact my eligibility for state-funded benefits under the Washington Basic Food Program?
388-424-0030 How does my alien status impact my eligibility for state-funded benefits under the food assistance program?
 
388-426-0005 How do I make a complaint to the department?
 
388-428-0010 Request for address disclosure by a parent when a child is living with a nonparental caretaker
 
388-432-0005 Can I get help from DSHS for a family emergency without receiving monthly cash assistance?
 
388-434-0005 How often does the department review my eligibility for benefits?
388-434-0010 How do I get Basic Food benefits after my certification period has ended?
 
388-436-0002 If my family has an emergency, can I get help from DSHS to get or keep our housing or utilities?
388-436-0015 Consolidated emergency assistance program (CEAP).
388-436-0020 CEAP assistance unit composition.
388-436-0025 Eligibility conditions for CEAP--Job refusal.
388-436-0030 How does my eligibility for other possible cash benefits impact my eligibility for CEAP?
388-436-0035 Income and resources for CEAP.
388-436-0040 Excluded income and resources for CEAP.
388-436-0045 Income deductions for CEAP.
388-436-0050 Determining financial need and benefit amount for CEAP.
388-436-0055 What is the Disaster Cash Assistance Program (DCAP)?
388-436-0060 How much money can I receive from the Disaster Cash Assistance Program (DCAP)?
 
388-437-0001 Disaster food stamp program.
 
388-440-0001 Exception to rule.
388-440-0005 How am I informed of the decision my request to the department for an exception to rule?
 
388-442-0010 How does being a fleeing felon impact my eligibility for benefits?
 
388-444-0005 Am I required to work or look for work in order to be eligible for Basic Food?
388-444-0010 Who is exempt from work registration while receiving Basic Food?
388-444-0015 How can the Basic Food Employment and Training (BF E&T) program help me find work?
388-444-0020 REPEALED
388-444-0025 What expenses will the department pay to help me participate in BF E&T?
388-444-0030 Do I have to work to be eligible for Basic Food benefits if I am an able-bodied adult without dependents (ABAWD)?
388-444-0035 Who is exempt from ABAWD work requirements?
388-444-0040 Can I volunteer for an unpaid work program in order to meet the work requirements under WAC 388-444-0030?
388-444-0045 How does an ABAWD regain eligibility for Basic Food after being closed for the three-month limit?
388-444-0050 What is good cause for failing to meet Basic Food work requirements?
388-444-0055 What are the penalties if I refuse or fail to meet Basic Food work requirements?
388-444-0060 What is unsuitable employment for Basic Food work requirements?
388-444-0065 Am I eligible for Basic Food if I quit my job or reduce my work effort?
388-444-0070 What is good cause for quitting my job or reducing my work effort?
388-444-0075 What are the penalties if I quit a job or reduce my work effort without good cause?
 
388-446-0001 When does the department refer a cash or food assistance case for prosecution for fraud?
388-446-0005 Disqualification period for cash assistance
388-446-0010 TANF disqualification period for fraud convictions of misrepresenting interstate residence
388-446-0015 What is an Intentional program violation (IPV) and administrative disqualification hearings (ADH) for food assistance.
388-446-0020 What penalties will I receive if I break a food assistance rule on purpose?
 
388-447-0001 What are the incapacity requirements for referral to the Housing and Essential Needs (HEN) program?
388-447-0005 What evidence does the department consider to determine incapacity?
388-447-0010 What medical evidence do I need to provide?
388-447-0020 How does the department assign severity ratings to my impairments?
388-447-0030 Progressive Evaluation Process Step I - How does the department review the medical evidence required for an incapacity determination?
388-447-0040 Progressive Evaluation Process Step II - How does the department determine the severity of mental impairments?
388-447-0050 Progressive evaluation process step III — How does the department determine the severity of physical impairments?
388-447-0060 Progressive evaluation process step IV — How does the department determine the severity of multiple impairments?
388-447-0070 Progressive evaluation process step V — How does the department determine the impact of a mental impairment on my ability to function in a work environment?
388-447-0080 Progressive evaluation process step VI — How does the department determine the impact of a physical impairment on my ability to function in a work setting?
388-447-0090 Progressive evaluation process step VII — How does the department determine ability to perform past work?
388-447-0100 Progressive evaluation process Step VIII — How does the department determine ability to perform other work?
388-447-0110 When does my eligibility for referral to the housing and essential needs (HEN) program end?
388-447-0120 How does alcohol or drug dependence affect my eligibility for referral to the housing and essential needs (HEN) program?
 
388-449-0001 What are the disability requirements for the Aged, Blind or Disabled (ABD) program?
388-449-0005 Sequential Evaluation Process Step 1 -- How does the department determine if you are performing substantial gainful employment?
388-449-0010 What evidence do we consider to determine disability?
388-449-0015 What medical evidence do I need to provide?
388-449-0020 How does the department evaluate functional capacity for mental health impairments?
388-449-0030 How does the department evaluate functional capacity for physical impairments?
388-449-0035 How does the department assign severity ratings to my impairment? 
388-449-0040 How does the department determine the severity of mental impairments?
388-449-0045 How does the department determine the severity of physical impairments?
388-449-0050 How does the department determine the severity of multiple impairments?
388-449-0060

Sequential Evaluation Process step II - How does the department review medical evidence to determine if I am eligible for benefits?

388-449-0070 Sequential Evaluation Process step III — How does the department determine if you meet SSA listing of impairments criteria?
388-449-0080

Sequential Evaluation Process step IV — How does the department evaluate if I am able to perform relevant past work?

388-449-0100 Sequential Evaluation Process step V — How does the department evaluate if I can perform other work when determining disability?
388-449-0150 When does my eligibility for the Aged, Blind, or Disabled (ABD) cash benefits end?
388-449-0200 Am I eligible for cash assistance for Aged, Blind, or Disabled (ABD) while waiting for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?
388-449-0210 What is interim assistance and how do I assign it to the department?
388-449-0220 How does alcohol or drug dependence affect my eligibility for the ABD cash and Pregnant Women Assistance programs?
388-449-0225 Am I required to participate in vocational rehabilitation services if I receive an ABD cash grant?
 
388-450-0005 How does the department decide if I own a type of income and if this income is available to meet my needs?
388-450-0010 The department takes some or all of your time-loss benefits if you get cash assistance while waiting for your claim to be processed
388-450-0015 What types of income are not used when figuring out my benefits?
388-450-0025 What is unearned income?
388-450-0030 What is earned income?
388-450-0035 Educational Benefits
388-450-0040 Native American benefits and payments.
388-450-0045 How do we count income from employment and training programs?
388-450-0050 How does your participation in the community jobs (CJ) program affect your cash assistance and Basic Food benefits?
388-450-0055 How does needs-based assistance from other agencies or organizations count against my benefits?
388-450-0065 Gifts - Cash and noncash.
388-450-0070 How do we count the earned income of a child?
388-450-0080 What is self-employment income?
388-450-0085 Does the department count all of my self-employment income to determine if I am eligible for benefits?
388-450-0095 Allocating income--General.
388-450-0100 Allocating income--Definitions.
388-450-0105 Allocating the income of a financially responsible person included in the assistance unit.
388-450-0106 How does the department count my income if someone in my family cannot get assistance because of their alien status?
388-450-0112 Does the department allocate the income of an ABD cash client to legal dependents?
388-450-0113 Does the department allocate income of a housing and essential needs (HEN) referral recipient to legal dependents?
388-450-0115 Does the department allocate the income of a financially responsible person who is excluded from the assistance unit?
388-450-0116 How does the department count my income if I cannot get assistance because I am an alien ?
388-450-0120 Does the department allocate the income of financially responsible parents to a pregnant or parenting minor?
388-450-0130 Does the department allocate the income of a nonapplying spouse to a caretaker relative?
388-450-0137 Does the department allocate income of an ineligible spouse to an ABD cash client?
388-450-0138 Does the department allocate income of an ineligible spouse to a housing and essential needs (HEN) referral recipient?
388-450-0140 How does the income of an ineligible assistance unit member affect my eligibility and benefits for Basic Food?
388-450-0145 Income of a person who is not a member of a food assistance unit.
388-450-0155 How does being a sponsored immigrant affect my eligibility for cash and food assistance programs?
388-450-0156 When am I exempt from deeming?
388-450-0160 How does the department decide how much of my sponsor's income to count against my benefits?
388-450-0162 How does the department count my income to determine if my assistance unit is eligible and how does the department calculate the amount of my cash and Basic Food benefits?
388-450-0165 Gross earned income limit for TANF / SFA.
388-450-0170 Does the department provide an earned income deduction as an incentive for persons who receive TANF/SFA to work?
388-450-0177 Does the department offer an income deduction for the ABD cash program as an incentive for clients to work?
388-450-0178 Does the department offer an income deduction for housing and essential needs (HEN) referral applicants and recipients as an incentive to work?
388-450-0185 What income deductions does the department allow when determining if I am eligible for food benefits and the amount of my monthly benefits?
388-450-0190 How does the department figure my shelter cost income deduction for Basic Food? 
388-450-0195 Does the department use my utility costs when calculating my Basic Food or WASHCAP benefits? 
388-450-0200 Will the medical expenses of elderly persons or individuals with disabilities in my assistance unit be used as an income deduction for Basic Food?
388-450-0215 How does the department estimate my assistance unit's income to determine my eligibility and benefits?
388-450-0225 How are my assistance unit's benefits calculated for the first month I am eligible for cash assistance?
388-450-0230 What income does the department count in the month I apply for Basic Food when my assistance unit is destitute?
388-450-0245 When are my benefits suspended?
 
388-452-0005 Do I have to be interviewed in order to get benefits?
388-452-0010 What does the family violence amendment mean for TANF recipients?
 
388-454-0005 Can I get TANF or SFA benefits for the child living with me?
388-454-0006 The department makes background checks on adults who are acting in place of a parent without court-ordered custody.
388-454-0010 Do I have to be related to a child in order to get TANF or SFA for the child?
388-454-0015 Temporary absence from the home
388-454-0020 Temporary absence to attend school or training
388-454-0025 The department notifies a child's parent when we approve assistance and the child is living with someone other than their parent
 
388-455-0005 How do lump sum payments affect benefits?
388-455-0010 When and how does the department treat lump sum payments as a resource for cash assistance programs?
388-455-0015 When and how does the department treat lump sum payments as income for cash assistance programs?
 
388-458-0002 The department of social and health services (DSHS) sends you letters to tell you about your case.
388-458-0006 DSHS sends you a letter when you withdraw your application.
388-458-0011 DSHS sends you a denial letter when you can't get benefits.
388-458-0016 DSHS sends you an approval letter when you can get benefits.
388-458-0020 You get a request letter when we need more information.
388-458-0025 We send you a change letter if the amount of benefits you are getting is changing.
388-458-0030 We send you a termination letter when your benefits stop.
388-458-0035 Why do you give me ten days notice before you reduce or stop my benefits?
388-458-0040 What happens if I ask for a fair hearing before the change happens?
388-458-0045 Will I get other kinds of letters?
 
388-460-0001 Who may be issued cash, child care, medical and Basic Food benefits?
388-460-0005 Can I choose someone to apply for Basic Food for my assistance unit?
388-460-0010 Do I have an authorized representative for Basic Food if I live in a treatment center or group home?
388-460-0015 Who will the department not allow as an authorized representative for Basic Food?
388-460-0020 Who is a protective payee?
388-460-0025 Who can be a protective payee?
388-460-0030 When is an emergency or temporary protective payee (TANF/SFA) used?
388-460-0035 When is a protective payee assigned for mismanagement of funds?
388-460-0040 When does the department assign a protective payee assigned to TANF/SFA or PWA pregnant or parenting minors?
388-460-0045 Are clients in WorkFirst sanction status assigned protective payees?
388-460-0050 When is a client transferred from a protective payee to guardianship?
388-460-0055 What are the protective payee's responsibilities?
388-460-0060 When are protective payee plans done?
388-460-0065 When is the protective payee status ended and how is a protective payee changed?
388-460-0070 What are your fair hearing rights regarding protective payment?
 
388-462-0010 Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) or State Family Assistance (SFA) eligibility for pregnant women.
388-462-0020 Breast and cervical cancer treatment program (BCCTP) for women--Client eligibility
 
388-464-0001 Am I required to cooperate with quality assurance?
 
388-466-0005 Immigration status requirements for refugee cash assistance
388-466-0120 Refugee cash assistance (RCA)
388-466-0140 Income and resources for refugee cash assistance eligibility
388-466-0150 Refugee employment and training services
 
388-468-0005 Residency
 
388-470-0005 How do resources affect my eligibility for cash assistance and Basic Food?
388-470-0012 Does the department look at the resources of people who are not getting benefits?
388-470-0045 How do my resources count toward the resource limits for cash assistance?
388-470-0055 How do my resources count toward the resource limit for basic food?
388-470-0060 How does the department decide how much of my sponsor's resources affect my eligibility for cash and food assistance?
388-470-0070 How vehicles are counted toward the resource limit for cash assistance.
388-470-0075 How is my vehicle counted for food assistance?
 
388-472-0005 What are my rights and responsibilities?
388-472-0010 What are necessary supplemental accommodation services (NSA)?
388-472-0020 How does the department decide if I am eligible for NSA services?
388-472-0030 How can I get NSA services?
388-472-0040 What are the department's responsibilities in giving NSA services to me?
388-472-0050 What if I don't accept or follow through with program requirements because I'm not able to or I don't understand them?
 
388-473-0010 What are ongoing additional requirements and how do I qualify?
388-473-0020 When do we authorize meals as an ongoing additional requirement?
388-473-0040 Food for service animals as an ongoing additional requirement.
388-473-0050 Telephone services as an ongoing additional requirement.
388-473-0060 Laundry as an ongoing additional requirement.
388-473-0070 Transportation as an ongoing additional requirement.
388-473-0080 Medically related items or services as an ongoing additional requirement.
 
388-474-0001 What is Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and who can get it?
388-474-0010 How does being a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) client affect your cash assistance eligibility?
388-474-0012 What is a state supplemental payment and who can get it?
388-474-0020 What can an Aged, Blind, or Disabled (ABD) cash assistance client expect when Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits begin?
 
388-476-0005 Social security number requirements.
 
388-478-0005 Cash assistance need and payment standards and grant maximum.
388-478-0006 The clothing, personal maintenance, and necessary incidentals (CPI) payment standard for cash assistance.
388-478-0015 Need standards for cash assistance.
388-478-0020 Payment standards for TANF, SFA, and RCA.
388-478-0027 What are the payment standards for Pregnant Women Assistance (PWA)?
388-478-0033 What are the payment standards for Aged, Blind, or Disabled (ABD) cash assistance?
388-478-0035 What are the maximum earned income limits for TANF, SFA, PWA, and RCA?
388-478-0050 Payment standards for ongoing additional requirements.
388-478-0055 How much do I get from my state supplemental payments (SSP)?
388-478-0057 Year-end adjustments to the SSI state supplement.
388-478-0060 What are the income limits and maximum benefit amounts for Basic Food?  
388-478-0090 What are the monthly income limits for the Aged, Blind, or Disabled (ABD) cash assistance and Housing and Essential Needs (HEN) Referral program?
 
388-480-0001 Does being on strike impact my eligibility for the Washington Basic Food Program?
 
388-482-0005 How does being a student of higher education impact my eligibility for the Washington Basic Food Program?
 
388-484-0005 There is a five year (sixty-month) time limit for TANF, SFA and GA-S cash assistance
388-484-0006 TANF/ SFA time limit extensions
388-484-0010 How does the five year (sixty-month) time limit for TANF, SFA and GA-S apply to adults living in Indian country?
 
388-486-0005 Unmarried pregnant or parenting minors - Required living arrangement
388-486-0010 Unmarried pregnant or parenting minors - Required school attendance
 
388-488-0005 Transfer of property to qualify for cash assistance
388-488-0010 Transfer of property to qualify for food assistance
 
388-489-0005 Who is Eligible for Transitional Food Assistance?
388-489-0010 How is my Transitional Food Assistance Benefit Calculated?
388-489-0015 How Long Will My Household Receive Transitional Food Assistance?
388-489-0020 Am I Required to Report Changes in My Household's Circumstances while on Transitional Food Assistance?
388-489-0022 What happens if I reapply for Basic Food while receiving transitional food assistance?
388-489-0025 Can My Transitional Food Assistance Benefits End before the End of My Five-Month Transition Period?
 
388-490-0005 The department requires proof before authorizing benefits for cash and Basic Food.
 
388-492-0020 What are WASHCAP food benefits and what do I need to know about WASHCAP?
388-492-0030 Who can get WASHCAP?
388-492-0040 Can I choose whether I get WASHCAP food benefits or Basic Food benefits?
388-492-0050 How do I apply for WASHCAP?
388-492-0060 How do I get my WASHCAP food benefits?
388-492-0070 How are my WASHCAP food benefits calculated?
388-492-0080 Where do I report changes?
388-492-0090 How often do my WASHCAP food benefits need to be reviewed?
388-492-0100 How is my eligibility for WASHCAP food benefits reviewed?
388-492-0110 What happens if my WASHCAP food benefits end?
388-492-0120 What happens to my WASHCAP benefits if I am disqualified?
388-492-0130 REPEALED
 
388-493-0010 Working family support.
 
388-494-0010 Diaper related payment.
 
388-865-0217 Psychiatric indigent inpatient program