DSHS Support Services for WorkFirst Participants

SUPPORT SERVICE

DETAILS

Accommodation

Specialized equipment for persons with disabilities needed to work. You cannot get it from another source.  

Examples: special chair, large letter computer screen, ramps. Must have documentation from a medical professional.

Car Repair

Repair of vehicle registered to you needed to make it operable.

Examples: brakes, water pump, timing belt, batteries, chains, lights, tires. Must have no access to transit, or use of transit must cause hardship. Get two written cost estimates (except when not possible, such as a vehicle not working). Licensed business must perform work, except battery change. May include fees for computer diagnostics. Towing included for car repair only.

Child care

Read Working Connections Child Care

Clothing for employment

Uniform, protective devices, undergarments, special shoes, or other apparel needed to look for, get, or keep a job or take part in an IRP activity.

Counseling

Professional counseling and classes such as anger management and self-esteem. Does not count toward yearly limit.

Diapers

Diapers, wipes, diaper cream, and ointments for child to go to day care, letting the parent look for, get, or keep a job or take part in an IRP activity.

Education expenses

Expenses related to training or education in your IRP.

Examples: tuition, books, GED tests, uniforms and specialized clothing, tutoring, tool or /kits. Must try for other sources of payment first (examples: grants, work-based tuition assistance). Class must not be free in community or technical colleges. Must try no-cost tutoring first (examples: high schools, community colleges, community-based organizations).

Employment License and Fees
(Professional, Trade Association, Union Dues, Bonds, Certification Costs)

Union dues paid for the first month of employment. Testing needed to get a license or certification, but not included in a license fee.

Examples: food handler’s card, nursing licenses or renewals. 

Gasoline

Payment for gas for any privately owned vehicle. 

Haircut/Styling

Haircut or to return hair to natural color needed to get or keep a job.

Lunch/Short-term Lodging and Meals

Buying your lunch at all-day DSHS-, ESD-, SBCTC-, or OTED- sponsored events such as a job fair. Must be a working lunch for all participants. State employee rate.

OR

You must travel to site for job interview or test, beyond normal commuting distance or you are moving to a new place to take a job. For interviews, requires confirmation of interview, test, or job. Expenses covered generally for four days’ duration or less. State employee rate.

Examples: referral to interview in another part of the state where job may be accepted; state board or other exam required for employment.

Medical Exams/Services

Exams/services needed to accept job or take part in an IRP activity AND not paid for by Apple Health or offered at free clinics. Includes but is not limited to diagnostics for Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, medical exam for commercial driver’s license.

Mileage Reimbursement

Reimbursement for your gas cost for use of your own vehicle. Must complete mileage reimbursement form. State employee rate.

Personal Hygiene

Items needed to take care of personal appearance to take part in or accept a job.

Examples: soap, shampoo, toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, laundry supplies, shaving supplies, hair color, makeup, cleaning supplies, feminine hygiene supplies.

Public Transportation Costs

Transportation for non-privately owned vehicles.

Examples: bus, van pool, train, ferry.

Relocation

Expenses needed to let you accept or keep full-time unsubsidized work or part-time work, if the pay gets you off TANF.

Examples: cost of rent and deposit associated with relocation; cost of commercial carrier (need two written estimates); common carriers (need receipts); cost of moving equipment; cost of moving truck/van; hand trucks/dollies; fuel; mileage reimbursement for use of privately owned vehicle. May not be used for pet or utility deposits. Must have actual offer of work and written confirmation of start date and wages from employer.

Testing Diagnostic

Testing must not be provided by WorkFirst or available from free or low-cost sources. May include, not limited to literacy level, aptitude, skills proficiency.

Tools for Employment

Tools or equipment required by employer. Must have employer statement regarding tool requirement. Must need tools to accept an actual offer of work or keep job. All other employees must have same requirement for tools. The tools or equipment cannot be weapons.

Transportation-Related Licenses Fees

Expenses needed to take part in or accept employment. Includes, but not limited to driver’s license. Adults or teen heads of household only.

Examples: vehicle license plates/tabs, license fees, title transfers emissions testing.
Liability insurance is limited to vehicles registered to you only. Must be authorized by written Exception to Rule (ETR).   
Must be authorized by written ETR for these traffic-related expenses only: outstanding warrants, traffic tickets, fines, penalties, collection agencies.  If a current payment arrangement is already in place, you are not eligible.