SENATE BILL REPORT
ESHB 665
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
Senate Hearing Date(s):March 30, 1987
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Wojahn, Chairman; Stratton, Vice Chairman; Anderson, Deccio, Johnson, Kiskaddon, Kreidler, Tanner.
Senate Staff:Jean Soliz (786-7755)
April 2, 1987
AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS, MARCH 30, 1987
BACKGROUND:
The state pays 100 percent of the funds for the General Assistance Unemployable public assistance program. Many of the GAU recipients are eligible for benefits under the federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. The SSI application process is complicated and requires persistent efforts. Many GAU recipients fail to transfer to the SSI program because of a lack of knowledge and assistance.
SUMMARY:
A pilot SSI referral program is created in three offices of the Department of Social and Health Services. The Department is required to aid GAU recipients in qualifying for SSI benefits by assisting them in obtaining required medical information, in filing timely appeals and in obtaining appropriate legal assistance.
The Department is to contract with experts for program coordination. The coordination duties include developing a practitioner's referral panel for SSI applicants, monitoring the community service office referral program, and training community service office caseworkers. The program coordinator shall report to the Legislature regarding the effectiveness and potential for improvement of the pilot program by November 1, 1988.
Fiscal Note: available
Senate Committee - Testified: Phil Kaplan, Washington Poverty Law Advocates