Questions and Answers about WorkFirst: The Basics

Almost all families who get TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) must participate (take part) in WorkFirst. You must do a job search program. You must also take a job, if offered one.

*Due to the pandemic, DSHS had temporarily stopped requiring WorkFirst activities if you got TANF. But starting September 1, 2021, you have to meet your WorkFirst participation requirements again. 

Usually, most people have to take part in WorkFirst. There are exceptions.  You are exempt (do not have to take part) if: 

• You have a baby under 1 year old. (You can choose to do WorkFirst anyway.)  You may be exempt for a total of 12 months in your adult lifetime.  There is no limit to how many times you can use the 12-month exemption. But your 60-month lifetime limit for cash benefits runs even while you are using the exemption. 
• You are 55 years or older and take care of someone’s child.
• You have a severe and chronic disability.  (See “I have a Disability. Does that make a difference?” below.)
• You care for a “special needs” child.  A medical professional must agree you cannot be away from home for more than 10 hours a week.
• You care for a relative with a disability.  A medical professional must agree you cannot be away from home for more than 10 hours a week. 

You must:

• take part in a job search for 12 weeks
• keep participating full-time as directed if you do not find a job
• keep up your job search even if working part-time
• accept any job offered
• work with a WorkFirst case manager to come up with an Individual Responsibility Plan (IRP) (see “What is an Individual Responsibility Plan?” below)
• do the activities set out in the Individual Responsibility Plan
• if you are 16 or 17,  be in high school or similar program
• complete a WorkFirst orientation

It can. If you have a disability that makes it hard for you to work or look for work, tell your case manager right away. You must ask your medical provider to address your ability to work. 

If you need special help to be able to take part, ask for it. Read DSHS Help for People with Disabilities: Necessary Supplemental Accommodations.

Yes:

• You work 32 hours or more a week (35 hours or more for 2-parent households).
• You do work-study 16 hours a week and go to community or technical college at least half-time.
• You are under 18, and you are still in school full-time.
• You are under 20, and you are still in a high school program (or equivalent) full-time.
• You are pregnant, or have a baby under a year old.  You must do other “Pregnancy to Employment” activities.  (See below.)
• Your situation keeps you from doing a search.  (Examples:  health problems; homelessness; you are a domestic violence victim.)  You will need other activities to help you out of your situation.

You will take part in “Pregnancy to Employment.” 

• During your 3rd trimester, you must be in mental health or substance abuse treatment if your DSHS worker says you need it
• During your 3rd trimester, you do not have to take part in work activity
• You can get other services throughout the pregnancy to help you look for work while meeting your child’s needs

You can get these services:

• Parenting education
• Parenting skills training
• Mental health treatment
• Substance abuse treatment
• Domestic violence services
• Employment services

*Due to the pandemic, DSHS had temporarily stopped requiring WorkFirst activities if you got TANF. But starting September 1, 2021, you have to meet your WorkFirst participation requirements again. 

Usually, DSHS will lower your TANF grant by 40%, unless it decides you have a good reason for not taking part.  Read WorkFirst Sanctions.

You must do a 12-week job search at the Employment Security Department (ESD). You must take part 32 to 40 hours a week. You must report in as directed.

No.  You can only accept a job if all these are true: the job

• pays at least minimum wage
• has industrial insurance
• has health and safety standards
• pays unemployment compensation
• gives the same benefits to the TANF worker as to other employees

A job must not be a result of a strike.  A job must not interfere with your religion.

You and your DSHS worker will look at why you did not find a job, and at experiences, activities and services that would help you.  This is a comprehensive evaluation.  The DSHS worker may assign you services and activities she believes will make you employable.  DSHS must involve you in this decision.  You and your worker will agree on and sign an Individual Responsibility Plan (IRP).

It lists what you must do to get a job in the shortest time possible. It also lists support services to help you get a job. Read WorkFirst Individual Responsibility Plans and DSHS Support Services for WorkFirst Participants.

If you do not do an activity listed in your IRP, DSHS will sanction you (reduce your benefits) just as if you had failed to take part in job search. Read WorkFirst Sanctions to learn more.  

Yes, if your WorkFirst evaluation shows you need it to get a job, or a better job. You can only get approval for training for up to 12 months. Read Workfirst Education and Training Opportunities.

Maybe. Read Workfirst Education and Training Opportunities.

You can ask for an administrative hearing if you disagree with any decision DSHS makes about your WorkFirst plan, including:

• exemption
• deferral
• components to be included in your IRP
• services available
• sanctions

You ask for a hearing by writing to:

Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH)
P.O. Box 42488
Olympia, WA 98504

You should also get legal advice:

Visit Northwest Justice Project to find out how to get legal help.