HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2252


 

 

 




As Passed Legislature

 

Title: An act relating to social service programs.

 

Brief Description: Revising eligibility requirements for general assistance.

 

Sponsors: By Representatives Sommers, Fromhold and Moeller.


Brief History:

First Special Session

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 6/6/03, 93-1.

Passed Senate: 6/10/03, 42-3.

Passed Legislature.

 

Brief Summary of Bill

    Requires the Department of Social and Health Services to discontinue benefits to General Assistance - Unemployable recipients unless the recipient demonstrates no material improvement in his or her medical or mental condition at the incapacity review.



 

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS


Majority/Minority Report: None.

 

Staff: Heather Flodstrom (786-7391).

 

Background:

 

General Assistance - Unemployable (GA-U) benefits are provided to people who are temporarily disabled and as a result cannot work. To be eligible for these benefits, a client must undergo an incapacity review that proves the client temporarily disabled by a medical or mental condition. After a client is determined eligible for GA-U benefits, the client is required to have periodic incapacity reviews to ensure continued eligibility for the program.

 

Current law prohibits the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) from terminating a GA-U recipient's benefits unless there is a clear showing of material improvement in the recipient's medical or mental condition at the incapacity review.

 


 

 

Summary of Bill:

 

The DSHS is required to discontinue benefits to GA-U recipients unless the recipient demonstrates no material improvement in his or her medical or mental condition at the incapacity review.

 


 

 

Appropriation: None.

 

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

 

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

 

Testimony For: None.

 

Testimony Against: None.

 

Testified: None.