Cash assistance payments

AN ACT Relating to payment standards for cash assistance 1
programs; and amending RCW 74.04.770. 2
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:3
Sec. 1. RCW 74.04.770 and 2021 c 9 s 3 are each amended to read 4
as follows: 5
(1) The department shall establish consolidated standards of need 6
each fiscal year which may vary by geographical areas, program, and 7
family size, for temporary assistance for needy families, refugee 8
assistance, ((supplemental security income, )) and benefits under RCW 9
74.62.030. 10
(2)(a) Standards of need for temporary assistance for needy 11
families, refugee assistance, and benefits under RCW 74.62.030 shall 12
be based on studies of actual living costs and generally recognized 13
inflation indices and shall include reasonable allowances for basic 14
household needs including shelter, fuel, food, transportation, 15
clothing, household maintenance and operations, personal maintenance, 16
necessary incidentals, cell phone and internet, and out-of-pocket 17
costs for child care and health care. 18
(b) By July 1, 2022, to ensure the standards of need reflect the 19
current goods and services households need, the department must use 20
an existing, broadly used national standard that meets the 21
H-0878.2
HOUSE BILL 1845
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Representatives Scott, Reed, Parshley, Doglio, Obras, Thai, and
Macri
Read first time 02/05/25. Referred to Committee on Early Learning &
Human Services.
p. 1 HB 1845
requirements of (a) of this subsection as the base for annual 1
updating in subsection (1) of this section. 2
(c) The standard of need may take into account the economies of 3
joint living arrangements, but unless explicitly required by federal 4
statute, there shall not be proration of any portion of assistance 5
grants unless the amount of the grant standard is equal to the 6
standard of need. 7
(3) The department is authorized to establish rateable reductions 8
and grant maximums consistent with federal law. 9
(((3))) (4) Payment level will be equal to need or a lesser 10
amount if rateable reductions or grant maximums are imposed )) levels 11
for temporary assistance for needy families, refugee cash assistance, 12
and benefits under RCW 74.62.030 will be no less than 16 percent of 13
need or the previous year's payment level, whichever is greater. 14
However, payment levels may not increase by more than three percent 15
in any single state fiscal year based on this subsection . In no case 16
shall a recipient of supplemental security income receive a state 17
supplement less than the minimum required by federal law.18
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p. 2 HB 1845