(1) You are eligible for referral to the housing and essential needs (HEN) program if you:

(a) Apply for cash assistance as detailed in WAC 388-406-0010;

(b) Complete an interview with the department;

(d) Are at least eighteen years old or, if under eighteen, legally emancipated or a member of a married couple;

(e) Are in financial need according to income rules in chapter 388-450 WAC and resource requirements in RCW 74.04.005 and chapter 388-470 WAC. We determine who is in your assistance unit according to WAC 388-408-0070;

(f) Have countable income, as defined in WAC 388-450-0162, at or below the monthly income limits defined in WAC 388-478-0090;

(g) Meet the citizenship and alien status requirements for ABD cash assistance under WAC 388-424-0015;

(h) Meet the Social Security number verification requirement for cash assistance under WAC 388-476-0005;

(i) Meet the residency requirement for cash assistance under WAC 388-468-0005;

(j) Meet verification requirements for cash assistance detailed in WAC 388-490-0005.

(k) To remain eligible for HEN referral, you must also:

(i) Report changes in your circumstances as required for cash assistance under WAC 388-418-0007; and

(ii) Complete and return eligibility reviews we send you under WAC 388-434-0005.

(2) You are not eligible for referral to the HEN program if you:

(a) Are eligible for temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) program;

(b) Refuse or fail to meet a TANF rule without good cause;

(c) Refuse or fail to cooperate in obtaining federal aid assistance, including but not limited to medicaid, without good cause;

(d) Refuse or fail to participate in drug or alcohol treatment as required in WAC 388-447-0120;

(e) Are eligible for supplemental security income (SSI) benefits and receiving a state supplemental payment (SSP) under WAC 388-474-0012;

(f) Are an ineligible spouse of an SSI recipient;

(g) Refuse or fail to follow a Social Security Administration (SSA) program rule or application requirement without good cause and SSA denied or terminated your benefits;

(h) Are terminated from ABD for refusing or failing to sign an interim assistance reimbursement authorization agreement under WAC 388-400-0060;

(i) Are fleeing to avoid prosecution of, or to avoid custody or confinement for conviction of, a felony, or an attempt to commit a felony as described in WAC 388-442-0010; or

(j) Are disqualified from receiving cash assistance due to a conviction related to unlawful practices in obtaining cash assistance as described in WAC 388-446-0005.

(3) If you reside in a public institution and meet all other requirements, your eligibility for referral to the HEN program depends on the type of institution. A "public institution" is an institution that is supported by public funds, and a governmental unit either is responsible for it or exercises administrative control over it.

(a) You may be eligible for referral to the HEN program if you are:

(i) A patient in a public medical institution; or

(ii) A patient in a public mental institution and are sixty-five years of age or older.

(b) You aren't eligible for referral to the HEN program if you are in the custody of or confined in a public institution such as a state penitentiary or county jail, including placement in a work release program.

PDFWAC 388-400-0070

Who is eligible for referral to the housing and essential needs (HEN) program?