H-3760 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL NO. 1313
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State of Washington 50th Legislature 1988 Regular Session
By Representatives Leonard, Barnes, Nutley, Jacobsen, Wineberry, Padden, Anderson, Nelson, Wang and Unsoeld
Read first time 1/12/88 and referred to Committee on Housing.
AN ACT Relating to immediate initial payment of benefits to public assistance recipients; adding a new section to chapter 74.04 RCW; creating a new section; providing an effective date; and providing an expiration date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that the use of emergency shelters for homeless individuals and families has increased in the state; that a segment of the homeless population are in emergency shelters due to an economic tragedy, such as a sudden job loss; that these individuals may be eligible for public assistance through the various programs of the state; that the time period from initial application to notification of eligibility for program benefits and arrival of the initial benefit check can take up to thirty days; that arrival of the initial benefit check varies from three to seven days after notification of eligibility; and that many persons must use emergency shelter facilities during this period.
The legislature further finds that the supply of emergency shelter space is inadequate to meet the increasing demands in the state; that the prevention of homelessness should be a priority of any homeless assistance strategy; and that any reduction on the demand for emergency shelter space will free limited resources to address longer term problems of the homeless. The legislature intends to aid in the prevention of homelessness by reducing the time period between the notification of eligibility and arrival of the initial benefit check through the provision of an immediate initial benefit payment to public assistance recipients with emergency needs.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 74.04 RCW to read as follows:
The department shall implement a program to reduce the time between notification of eligibility and receipt of public assistance benefits. The department shall make available, within twenty-four hours of approval, the initial payment of benefits through the various public assistance programs authorized by Title 74 RCW.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 1988. The secretary of social and health services may immediately take such steps as are necessary to ensure that this act is implemented on its effective date.