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Financial Assistance offered at DSHS Community Services Office in Tumwater

Provides financial assistance to Washington residents in need who meet eligibility requirements. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF/WorkFirst): -  Provides monthly cash grants and medical assistance to eligible low-income families with minor children in the home. -  Applicants attend a WorkFirst orientation and eligibility interview.   -  Pregnant and parenting minors may be eligible for TANF benefits if they meet additional eligibility requirements, as determined by a DSHS social worker.   -  Adults may also be eligible for WorkFirst support, which will pay for items clients must have in order to look for work, prepare for work or accept a better job. -  Assistance may include transportation, car repairs, interview and work clothes, licenses and tools and equipment.   -  Assistance will be provided via vouchers or pre-paid merchant cards.   Aged Blind and Disabled (ABD): -  Provides financial assistance for people with a long-term or permanent disability, or who are blind, or who are age 65 or older and meet income and resource requirements.     Emergency Assistance: -  TANF, Workfirst, SFA and RCA clients may apply for supplemental financial assistance when faced with an emergency caused by circumstances out of their control.   -  Funding may be approved for rent (EVICTION NOTICES); electric, gas, heating fuel, water/sewer or telephone utility shut-off notices; or deposit move-in costs for homeless individuals and families.   -  Includes Additional Requirements for Emergent Needs (AREN). AREN payments may be made up to a maximum of $750 in a 12-month period.   - Also includes WorkFirst support services, which helps with rent, mortgage, taxes, insurance, utilities, moving costs, all housing-related fees, hookup fees, refundable and non-refundable deposits, and temporary housing for households participating in WorkFirst. Up to $5,000 is available in a 12-month period. Pregnant Women's Assistance: - Provides financial assistance for pregnant women who are not eligible for TANF but meet TANF income and resource requirements. Diversion Cash Assistance (DCA): -  Provides a cash grant program designed to prevent households with children from having to enroll in public assistance, by assisting with living expenses for needs such as: - Housing - Transportation - Child care - Food and employment-related expenses.   Clients may be referred to DSHS non-cash programs such as food stamps. Staff may also refer to other social service programs including domestic violence services, clothing banks, food pantries, etc. Housing and Essential Needs (HEN): -  Provides housing and essential needs vouchers for adults who have a shorter-term disability and meet income and resource requirements.   Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA): -  Cash assistance is available to refugees with no minor children for the first eight months after their arrival.   -  Refugees with minor children are likely eligible for TANF.   State Family Assistance: -  Cash assistance program established for legal immigrants with dependent children who are ineligible for TANF because of immigrant status.

Physical Address

6860 Capitol Boulevard South, Tumwater, WA 98501

Hours

M-F, 8am-5pm. Hours for application eligibility interviews are 8am-2pm.

Application process

Call, go to website or visit any CSO to obtain an application.   After online or paper application is received, DSHS will send a letter regarding interview requirements. DSHS clients who need emergency financial assistance should talk to their case manager.  Note: Phone line has a callback feature (virtual hold) where callers can enter their phone number and expect a return call when their turn comes up in the queue. It is possible that callers may speak with more than one person. The first will be a navigator who will triage the call to determine if the navigator would be the best person to assist the caller, or if there would be someone better qualified to meet the caller's need.

Fee

None.

Eligibility

Contact a local Community Service Office (CSO) for specific eligibility requirements.

Languages

Interpreter services

Service area

Thurston, WA

Agency info

DSHS Community Services Offices

Helps people achieve and maintain self-sufficiency by providing financial assistance for food, medical expenses and ID cards to those who are eligible. Also provides limited cash assistance. Additional programs available for refugees, families and people with disabilities.