2SHB 1447 — Strengthening the ability of assistance programs to meet foundational needs of children, adults, and families.

What this bill does

Amends the definition of "resource" in the general definitions related to assistance program eligibility to exempt: (1) the entire value of one vehicle (rather than a value of up to $10,000); (2) retirement funds, pension plans, and retirement accounts; and (3) all other resources up to a value of $25,000 (rather than up to a value of $6,000). Makes changes to the provisions relating to the standards of need for certain cash assistance programs to provide that benefits must be no less than 15 percent of need or the previous payment year's payment level, whichever is greater, capped at a 3 percent increase per fiscal year. Removes the 60-month time limit for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program as it applies to child-only cases, and allows payments to continue past the 60 month time limit in other cases when termination or denial of assistance would result in the recipient's financial distress. Modifies the TANF income disregard provision to allow a family to earn and keep 100 percent of new earnings for up to six months, and to refer to the need standard, as opposed to the maximum earned income level as determined by agency rule, as the threshold beyond which a family is ineligible for TANF benefits. Adds TANF recipients who are experiencing a hardship, as defined in agency rule, to the list of those who qualify as having “good cause” for failure to participate in WorkFirst program components.

From the Washington State Legislature's nonpartisan staff bill analysis. Read the full analysis ↗

Floor votes

• House — 3rd Reading & Final Passage · March 2, 2023
  58 yea · 38 nay · 2 not voting
• House — Final Passage as Amended by the Senate · April 22, 2023
  62 yea · 36 nay
• Senate — 3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate · April 21, 2023
  31 yea · 18 nay
• Senate — 3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate · April 10, 2023
  31 yea · 17 nay · 1 not voting

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