FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 665

                                  C 177 L 87

BYHouse Committee on Human Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Grimm, Locke, B. Williams, Dellwo, Brekke, Appelwick, Ebersole, Heavey, Niemi, Lewis, Pruitt, Leonard, Wang, H. Sommers, Winsley, Scott and Todd)

Establishing a pilot supplemental security income referral program.

House Committe on Human Services

Rereferred House Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

With increasing General Assistance caseloads and decreasing state funding, the Department of Social and Health Services and outside groups have examined alternatives to the procedures followed in the current General Assistance Program.  Increasing the successful referral rate to the federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program may assist in alleviating the cost of the state General Assistance Program.

Pilot programs in other states such as Massachusetts, using a contracted program coordinator, have proven highly successful in reducing General Assistance costs. In Massachusetts, some $5,500,000 in net savings was generated in three years, 1983-85.

SUMMARY:

A pilot Supplemental Security Income (SSI) referral program is established July 1, 1987, in three sites.  Each pilot Community Service Office in the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) must have an SSI program facilitator. The facilitator's responsibilities include informing all General Assistance applicants and recipients of the federal program, assisting them in gathering necessary medical information, referring denied persons to legal representatives to facilitate the appeal process and educating physicians and other medical professions about SSI.

The position of DSHS-contracted program coordinator is established.  The coordinator has the following duties:  (1) establishing a qualified referral panel of legal practitioners available to General Assistance applicants and recipients; (2) monitoring and evaluating the referral program in each community service office; (3) providing training for involved professionals; and (4) reporting to the department by November 1, 1988, on the administration of the program and any suggested recommendations.

The department will report to the legislature by December 1, 1988, on the program outcome.  Employees of the department and the program coordinator are held harmless for negligent referrals.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 97   0

      Senate    45     0

EFFECTIVE:July 1, 1987