Listing of self-help materials and informational publications.
There are 12 resources
General information
Working Connections Child Care
Washington State now has subsidized child care for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients and low-income working parents. It's called Working Connections Child Care (WCCC).
By: Northwest Justice Project
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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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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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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
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DSHS Division of Child Care and Early Learning Web Site
(Separate Website)
This dept. of DSHS licenses child care homes and centers, handles complaints and inquiries about child care homes and centers, develops policy and procedure for child care licensing and the Working Connections Child Care program and manages statewide contracted child care programs.
By: DSHS
Solving problems with DSHS
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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