FINAL BILL REPORT
SSB 5785
C 98 L 22
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Concerning transitional food assistance.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Human Services, Reentry & Rehabilitation (originally sponsored by Senators Lovelett, Wilson, C., Das, Dhingra, Hasegawa, Nobles, Salda?a and Stanford; by request of Department of Social and Health Services).
Senate Committee on Human Services, Reentry & Rehabilitation
Senate Committee on Ways & Means
House Committee on Housing, Human Services & Veterans
Background:

The Basic Food Program is Washington's name for the combination of federally-funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the state-funded Food Assistance Program for Legal Immigrants (FAP).  FAP is for individuals who are legal immigrants and meet all eligibility requirements for SNAP except for citizenship and immigration status.  Basic Food helps low-income individuals and families access nutritious foods.

 

The Transitional Food Assistance (TFA) program began in 2005.  A household that ceases to receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Tribal TANF receives TFA for five months provided the household is not in sanction status.  If necessary, the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is to extend the household's basic food certification until the end of the certification period.

 

In fiscal year 2021, an average of 11,180 households received TFA.

Summary:

DSHS is to provide transitional food assistance for five months to a household that ceases to receive TANF and is not in full-family sanction status.

 

If a member of a household has been sanctioned, but the household is still receiving benefits, remaining eligible household members may receive transitional food assistance.

Votes on Final Passage:
Senate 49 0
House 96 1
Effective:

January 1, 2024