Listing of self-help materials and informational publications.
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Appeals and hearings
DSHS, Public Assistance and Welfare
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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Office of Administrative Hearings Web Site
(Separate Website)
The Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) is an independent state agency which conducts impartial administrative hearings for other government agencies. OAH was created in 1982 as an independent forum for citizens challenging government decisions. It provides independent, professional, and timely "due process" hearings for a wide variety of state and local agencies.
By: State of Washington Office of Administrative Hearings
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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Social Security and SSI
How to Fight Your SSI or Social Security Diasbility Denial
This publication explains what you can do if the Social Security Administration (SSA) denies your application because they say you are not disabled. If you have been receiving benefits and are notified that they will stop, see our publication How to Fight a Termination of SSI or SSD.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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How to Fight A Termination of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Benefits based on Non-disability Reasons
Social Security must notify you in writing before reducing or stopping your benefits. You may fight the termination by asking for reconsideration. You may continue to receive the same benefits after the termination date in the notice if you request reconsideration in time. You must request reconsideration within 10 days of receiving the notice to keep getting benefits.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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How to Fight an SSI or Social Security Overpayment Notice
If you are being charged with an overpayment, it is because Social Security believes that you received benefits when you were not eligible to receive them. Social Security must notify you in writing of the overpayment before it may take any money from your check. There are four actions you may take if you receive an overpayment notice.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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Questions and Answers on Hearings and Appeals
(Separate Website)
An extensive question and answer web site about the hearings and appeals process for SSI.
By: Social Security Online Web Site
Unemployment Benefits
How to Appeal a Denial of Unemployment Benefits to Superior Court
This publication is about Superior court review of an administrative decision relating to unemployment benefits.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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How to Represent Yourself at an Unemployment Compensation Benefits Hearing
If you have been denied unemployment compensation benefits, you have a right to appeal. If you have been allowed benefits, your former employer has the same right to appeal. If either you or your employer appeals, you will have a hearing with an administrative law judge. This publication explains how to represent yourself at the hearing.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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Unemployment Law Project Web Site
(Separate Website)
Are you having trouble collecting your unemployment benefits? Has your claim been improperly denied? Or has your employer appealed your entitlement to benefits? If so, we may be able to help.
By: Unemployment Law Project
Cash assistance for families (TANF and WorkFirst)
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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