Emergency assistance

Legal Information

In this section of Washington LawHelp you will find general legal information and resources about emergency assistance in Washington state.

• Consolidated Emergency Assistance Program (CEAP): Extra Money for Needy Families

  7106EN - CEAP is a Social and Health Services (DSHS) program that provides money to needy families and pregnant women facing an emergency. You may qualify for a CEAP emergency grant only if you are not eligible for any other DSHS financial or emergency assistance program. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Additional Requirements for Emergency Needs (AREN)

  7108EN - If you apply and qualify for Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), State Financial Assistance (SFA), or a Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) welfare grant and you have an emergency, you may be eligible to get "Additional Requirements,” also known as AREN. AREN is one-time financial assistance for emergency needs. This publication explains who can get AREN and when you can get it. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Diversion Cash Assistance

  7121EN - DCA is an emergency grant to a family facing a temporary financial crisis. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• DSHS Help for People with Disabilities: Necessary Supplemental Accomodations

  7151EN - If you get DSHS benefits, such as TANF, SFA, Disability Lifeline, 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. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT): How to Use Your Card

  The Quest card looks like a debit or credit card. It replaces paper food stamps and welfare checks. Food stamps and state cash benefits are now deposited into an account that you spend by using your Quest card. Stores and bank machines (often called Automated Teller Machines or ATMs) that take Quest will display a sign with the Quest logo. Read More

  By:

  Department of Social and Health Services

• How To Fight an Overpayment of Cash Assistance, Medical Assistance or Food Stamps

  7104EN - 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. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Russian / Pусский

  Spanish / Español

• How to Fight a Denial of DSHS Public Assistance

  7100EN - 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. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Russian / Pусский

  Spanish / Español

• How to Petition for Superior Court Review

  7917EN - 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. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Representing Yourself at a Fair Hearing

  7910EN - If you do not 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 request, 3) how to prepare for your hearing, and 4) what to expect at your hearing and afterward. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Russian / Pусский

  Spanish / Español