Whether our work is unpaid or underpaid, we work hard to meet our needs and pursue our goals. We all deserve to get the help we need, no matter what.
Two important bills that will help tens of thousands of Washingtonians access the help they need to meet their most basic needs and find a pathway out of poverty passed out of the House into the Senate last week! Now, they need to pass through committee and face a floor vote before being signed into law by the Governor.
First, Substitute House Bill 1447 will make key improvements to the Temporary Assistance For Needy Families (TANF) program including:
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Eliminating time limits for child-only cases, restoring pre-2011 policy
- Expanding asset limits and waiving the value of one car, allowing families to build up savings
- Increasing the income limit to 200% FPL, consistent with other benefits programs
- Allowing hardship as a "good cause" exemption from WorkFirst requirements, giving families time to stabilize without losing benefits.
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Waiving six months of gross income, smoothing the benefits cliff for families transitioning to a higher income
Second, House Bill 1260 would end the unfair requirement for adults with disabilities to repay the state for their ABD benefits when they transfer onto federal social security income and allow ABD recipients to meet their basic needs. The average length of stay on ABD for those pending SSI is 24.6 months, meaning that Washington requires people to pay back an average of $4,545 to the state after this transition. Keeping this money would allow adults with disabilities to build up savings, secure housing, pay off debt, or simply meet their basic needs on a limited income.
These bills work to expand access to direct cash assistance and allow low-income Washingtonians to build up a small amount of savings to meet their basic needs for housing, food, healthcare, and other necessities.
Urge your Senator to hear and pass SHB 1447 and SHB 1260 to support low-income Washingtonians!
