Beginning this week, Washington residents can once again apply through the state Department of Social and Health Services for emergency cash assistance to help meet their immediate needs. The department announced on Monday that it received additional funding and a new order from Gov. Inslee to reinstate this temporary program to help Washingtonians through financial hardship.
The governor’s April 15 proclamation enables the state to offer Disaster Cash Assistance Program benefits to people who are not eligible for other cash assistance programs. The assistance is available to all Washington families and people without children who meet the income and resource limits of the program.
The benefit amount depends on household size, income, and need, and ranges from a maximum of $363 for a single person to a maximum of $1,121 for a household of eight or more people. The program can cover expenses like housing or shelter costs, utilities, clothing, minor medical care, household supplies, and transportation costs for work. It can also help with food for those not otherwise eligible for ongoing food benefits.
“Disaster cash assistance is for people who are not eligible for the other programs. It is a very limited amount of money,” said Norah West, Assistant Director of DSHS’ Office of Communications, Economic Services Administration. She said people can apply online at www.WashingtonConnection.org and then call the Customer Service Contact Center at 877-501-2233 to complete the required interview. She said they can also call 877-501-2233 first, to complete the entire application process over the phone. The Washington Connection website is a single point of entry for many services from the state, and the application process asks far more questions than are required for this program. West encouraged people to call if they only seek information about this program because the very simple process can look much more complicated online.