reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
WA Rev Code § 74.08A.130 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 74 - Public Assistance|Chapter 74.08A - Washington Workfirst Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.|74.08A.130 - Immigrants—Naturalization facilitation.

RCW 74.08A.130 Immigrants—Naturalization facilitation.The department shall make an affirmative effort to identify and proactively contact legal immigrants receiving public assistance to facilitate their applications for naturalization. The department shall obtain a complete list of legal immigrants in Washington who are receiving correspondence regarding their eligibility from the social security administration. The department shall inform immigrants regarding how citizenship may be attained. In order to facilitate the citizenship process, the department shall coordinate and contract, to the extent necessary, with existing public and private resources and shall, within available funds, ensure that those immigrants who qualify to apply for naturalization are referred to or otherwise offered classes. The department shall assist eligible immigrants in obtaining appropriate test exemptions, and other exemptions in the naturalization process, to the extent permitted under federal law.[ 2009 c 518 § 6; 1997 c 58 § 204.]
WA Rev Code § 74.08A.210 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 74 - Public Assistance|Chapter 74.08A - Washington Workfirst Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.|74.08A.210 - Diversion program—Emergency assistance.

RCW 74.08A.210 Diversion program—Emergency assistance.(1) In order to prevent some families from developing dependency on temporary assistance for needy families, the department shall make available to qualifying applicants a diversion program designed to provide brief, emergency assistance for families in crisis whose income and assets would otherwise qualify them for temporary assistance for needy families.(2) Diversion assistance may include cash or vouchers in payment for the following needs:(a) Child care;(b) Housing assistance;(c) Transportation-related expenses;(d) Food;(e) Medical costs for the recipient's immediate family;(f) Employment-related expenses which are necessary to keep or obtain paid unsubsidized employment.(3) Diversion assistance is available once in each twelve-month period for each adult applicant. Recipients of diversion assistance are not included in the temporary assistance for needy families program.(4) Diversion assistance may not exceed one thousand five hundred dollars for each instance.(5) To be eligible for diversion assistance, a family must otherwise be eligible for temporary assistance for needy families.(6) Families ineligible for temporary assistance for needy families or benefits under RCW 74.62.030 due to sanction, noncompliance, the lump sum income rule, or any other reason are not eligible for diversion assistance.(7) Families must provide evidence showing that a bona fide need exists according to subsection (2) of this section in order to be eligible for diversion assistance.An adult applicant may receive diversion assistance of any type no more than once per twelve-month period. If the recipient of diversion assistance is placed on the temporary assistance for needy families program within twelve months of receiving diversion assistance, the prorated dollar value of the assistance shall be treated as a loan from the state, and recovered by deduction from the recipient's cash grant.[ 2011 1st sp.s. c 36 § 30; 2010 1st sp.s. c 8 § 27; 1997 c 58 § 302.]NOTES:Findings—Intent—2011 1st sp.s. c 36: See RCW 74.62.005.Effective date—2011 1st sp.s. c 36: See note following RCW 74.62.005.Findings—Intent—Short title—Effective date—2010 1st sp.s. c 8: See notes following RCW 74.04.225.
WA Rev Code § 74.08A.230 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 74 - Public Assistance|Chapter 74.08A - Washington Workfirst Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.|74.08A.230 - Earnings disregards and earned income cutoffs.

RCW 74.08A.230 Earnings disregards and earned income cutoffs.(1) In addition to their monthly benefit payment, a family may earn and keep one-half of its earnings during every month it is eligible to receive assistance under this section.(2) In no event may a family be eligible for temporary assistance for needy families if its monthly gross earned income exceeds the maximum earned income level as set by the department. In calculating a household's gross earnings, the department shall disregard the earnings of a minor child who is:(a) A full-time student; or(b) A part-time student carrying at least half the normal school load and working fewer than thirty-five hours per week.[ 1997 c 58 § 308.]
WA Rev Code § 74.08A.240 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 74 - Public Assistance|Chapter 74.08A - Washington Workfirst Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.|74.08A.240 - Noncustodial parents in work programs.

RCW 74.08A.240 Noncustodial parents in work programs.The department may provide Washington WorkFirst activities or make cross-referrals to existing programs to qualifying noncustodial parents of children receiving temporary assistance for needy families who are unable to meet their child support obligations. Services authorized under this section shall be provided within available funds.[ 1997 c 58 § 310.]
WA Rev Code § 74.08A.265 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 74 - Public Assistance|Chapter 74.08A - Washington Workfirst Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.|74.08A.265 - Assistance termination—Report—Finding of racial disproportionality.

RCW 74.08A.265 Assistance termination—Report—Finding of racial disproportionality.(1) Annually by December 31st, the department must report to the governor and the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the legislature disaggregated data identifying the race of individuals whose temporary assistance for needy families benefits were reduced or terminated during the preceding year due to:(a) Sanction as described in RCW 74.08A.260; or(b) Reaching the sixty-month time limit under RCW 74.08A.010.(2) If the disaggregated data for terminated or sanctioned individuals shows a disproportionate representation of any racial group that has experienced historic disparities or discrimination, the department must describe steps it is taking to address and remedy the racial disproportionality.[ 2020 c 320 § 2.]
WA Rev Code § 74.08A.270 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 74 - Public Assistance|Chapter 74.08A - Washington Workfirst Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.|74.08A.270 - Good cause.

RCW 74.08A.270 Good cause.(1) Good cause reasons for failure to participate in WorkFirst program components include: (a) Situations where the recipient is a parent or other relative personally providing care for a child under the age of six years, and formal or informal child care, or day care for an incapacitated individual living in the same home as a dependent child, is necessary for an individual to participate or continue participation in the program or accept employment, and such care is not available, and the department fails to provide such care; or (b) the recipient is a parent with a child under the age of two years.(2) A parent claiming a good cause exemption from WorkFirst participation under subsection (1)(b) of this section may be required to participate in one or more of the following, up to a maximum total of twenty hours per week, if such treatment, services, or training is indicated by the comprehensive evaluation or other assessment:(a) Mental health treatment;(b) Alcohol or drug treatment;(c) Domestic violence services; or(d) Parenting education or parenting skills training, if available.(3) The department shall: (a) Work with a parent claiming a good cause exemption under subsection (1)(b) of this section to identify and access programs and services designed to improve parenting skills and promote child well-being, including but not limited to home visitation programs and services; and (b) provide information on the availability of home visitation services to temporary assistance for needy families caseworkers, who shall inform clients of the availability of the services. If desired by the client, the caseworker shall facilitate appropriate referrals to providers of home visitation services.(4) Nothing in this section shall prevent a recipient from participating in the WorkFirst program on a voluntary basis.(5) A parent is eligible for a good cause exemption under subsection (1)(b) of this section for a maximum total of twenty-four months over the parent's lifetime.[ 2017 3rd sp.s. c 21 § 2; 2007 c 289 § 1; 2002 c 89 § 1; 1997 c 58 § 314.]
WA Rev Code § 74.08A.275 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 74 - Public Assistance|Chapter 74.08A - Washington Workfirst Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.|74.08A.275 - Employability screening.

RCW 74.08A.275 Employability screening.Each recipient approved to receive temporary assistance for needy families shall be subject to an employability screening under RCW 74.08A.260 after determination of program eligibility and before referral to job search. If the employability screening determines the recipient is not employable, or meets the criteria specified in RCW 74.08A.270 for a good cause exemption to work requirements, the department shall defer the job search requirement under RCW 74.08A.285.[ 2003 c 383 § 2; 1999 c 340 § 1.]
WA Rev Code § 74.08A.285 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 74 - Public Assistance|Chapter 74.08A - Washington Workfirst Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.|74.08A.285 - Job search instruction and assistance.

RCW 74.08A.285 Job search instruction and assistance.The WorkFirst program operated by the department to meet the federal work requirements specified in P.L. 104-193 shall contain a job search component. The component shall consist of instruction on how to secure a job and assisted job search activities to locate and retain employment. Nonexempt recipients of temporary assistance for needy families shall participate in an initial job search for no more than twelve consecutive weeks. Each recipient shall receive a work skills assessment upon referral to the job search program. The work skills assessment shall include but not be limited to education, employment history, employment strengths, and job skills. The recipient's ability to obtain employment will be reviewed periodically thereafter and, if it is clear at any time that further participation in a job search will not be productive, the department shall assess the recipient pursuant to RCW 74.08A.260. The department shall refer recipients unable to find employment through the initial job search period to work activities that will develop their skills or knowledge to make them more employable, including additional job search and job readiness assistance.[ 2003 c 383 § 3; 1998 c 89 § 1.]
WA Rev Code § 74.08A.290 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 74 - Public Assistance|Chapter 74.08A - Washington Workfirst Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.|74.08A.290 - Competitive performance-based contracting—Evaluation of contracting practices—Contracting strategies.

RCW 74.08A.290 Competitive performance-based contracting—Evaluation of contracting practices—Contracting strategies.(1) It is the intent of the legislature that the department is authorized to engage in competitive contracting using performance-based contracts to provide all work activities authorized in chapter 58, Laws of 1997, including the job search component authorized in *section 312 of this act.(2) The department may use competitive performance-based contracting to select which vendors will participate in the WorkFirst program. Performance-based contracts shall be awarded based on factors that include but are not limited to the criteria listed in RCW 74.08A.410, past performance of the contractor, demonstrated ability to perform the contract effectively, financial strength of the contractor, and merits of the proposal for services submitted by the contractor. Contracts shall be made without regard to whether the contractor is a public or private entity.(3) The department may contract for an evaluation of the competitive contracting practices and outcomes to be performed by an independent entity with expertise in government privatization and competitive strategies. The evaluation shall include quarterly progress reports to the fiscal committees of the legislature and to the governor, starting at the first quarter after the effective date of the first competitive contract and ending two years after the effective date of the first competitive contract.(4) The department shall seek independent assistance in developing contracting strategies to implement this section. Assistance may include but is not limited to development of contract language, design of requests for proposal, developing full cost information on government services, evaluation of bids, and providing for equal competition between private and public entities.[ 1997 c 58 § 316.]NOTES:*Reviser's note: Section 312 of this act was vetoed by the governor.
WA Rev Code § 74.08A.300 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 74 - Public Assistance|Chapter 74.08A - Washington Workfirst Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.|74.08A.300 - Placement bonuses.

RCW 74.08A.300 Placement bonuses.In the case of service providers that are not public agencies, initial placement bonuses of no greater than five hundred dollars may be provided by the department for service entities responsible for placing recipients in an unsubsidized job for a minimum of twelve weeks, and the following additional bonuses shall also be provided:(1) A percent of the initial bonus if the job pays double the minimum wage;(2) A percent of the initial bonus if the job provides health care;(3) A percent of the initial bonus if the job includes employer-provided child care needed by the recipient; and(4) A percent of the initial bonus if the recipient is continuously employed for two years.[ 1997 c 58 § 317.]
WA Rev Code § 74.08A.310 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 74 - Public Assistance|Chapter 74.08A - Washington Workfirst Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.|74.08A.310 - Self-employment assistance—Training and placement programs.

RCW 74.08A.310 Self-employment assistance—Training and placement programs.The department shall:(1) Notify recipients of temporary assistance for needy families that self-employment is one method of leaving state assistance. The department shall provide its regional offices, recipients of temporary assistance for needy families, and any contractors providing job search, training, or placement services notification of programs available in the state for entrepreneurial training, technical assistance, and loans available for start-up businesses;(2) Provide recipients of temporary assistance for needy families and service providers assisting such recipients through training and placement programs with information it receives about the skills and training required by firms locating in the state;(3) Encourage recipients of temporary assistance for needy families that are in need of basic skills to seek out programs that integrate basic skills training with occupational training and workplace experience.[ 1997 c 58 § 324.]
WA Rev Code § 74.08A.320 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 74 - Public Assistance|Chapter 74.08A - Washington Workfirst Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.|74.08A.320 - Wage subsidy program.

RCW 74.08A.320 Wage subsidy program.The department shall establish a wage subsidy program to be known as the community jobs program for recipients of temporary assistance for needy families who have barriers to employment, lack experience and attachment to the job force, or have been unsuccessful in securing employment leading to family self-sufficiency. The department shall give preference in job placements to private sector employers that have agreed to participate in the wage subsidy program. The department shall identify characteristics of employers who can meet the employment goals stated in RCW 74.08A.410. The department shall use these characteristics in identifying which employers may participate in the program. The department shall adopt rules for the participation of recipients of temporary assistance for needy families in the wage subsidy program. Participants in the program established under this section may not be employed if: (1) The employer has terminated the employment of any current employee or otherwise caused an involuntary reduction of its workforce in order to fill the vacancy so created with the participant; or (2) the participant displaces or partially displaces current employees. Employers providing positions created under this section shall meet the requirements of chapter 49.46 RCW. This section shall not diminish or result in the infringement of obligations or rights under chapters 41.06, 41.56, and 49.36 RCW and the national labor relations act, 29 U.S.C. Ch. 7. The department shall establish such local and statewide advisory boards, including business and labor representatives, as it deems appropriate to assist in the implementation of the wage subsidy program. Once the recipient is hired, the wage subsidy shall be authorized for up to nine months.[ 2010 c 273 § 5; 1997 c 58 § 325.]
WA Rev Code § 74.08A.330 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 74 - Public Assistance|Chapter 74.08A - Washington Workfirst Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.|74.08A.330 - Community service program.

RCW 74.08A.330 Community service program.The department shall establish the community service program to provide the experience of work for recipients of public assistance. The program is intended to promote a strong work ethic for participating public assistance recipients. Under this program, public assistance recipients are required to volunteer to work for charitable nonprofit organizations and public agencies, or engage in another activity designed to benefit the recipient, the recipient's family, or the recipient's community, as determined by the department on a case-by-case basis. Participants in a community service or work experience program established by this chapter are deemed employees for the purpose of chapter 49.17 RCW. The cost of premiums under Title 51 RCW shall be paid for by the department for participants in a community service or work experience program. Participants in a community service or work experience program may not be placed if: (1) An employer has terminated the employment of any current employee or otherwise caused an involuntary reduction of its workforce in order to fill the vacancy so created with the participant; or (2) the participant displaces or partially displaces current employees.[ 1997 c 58 § 326.]
WA Rev Code § 74.08A.350 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 74 - Public Assistance|Chapter 74.08A - Washington Workfirst Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.|74.08A.350 - Questionnaires—Job opportunities for welfare recipients.

RCW 74.08A.350 Questionnaires—Job opportunities for welfare recipients.The department of social and health services shall create a questionnaire, asking businesses for information regarding available and upcoming job opportunities for welfare recipients. The department of revenue shall include the questionnaire in a regular quarterly mailing. The department of social and health services shall receive responses and use the information to develop work activities in the areas where jobs will be available.[ 1997 c 58 § 1007.]
WA Rev Code § 74.08A.380 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 74 - Public Assistance|Chapter 74.08A - Washington Workfirst Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.|74.08A.380 - Teen parents—Education requirements.

RCW 74.08A.380 Teen parents—Education requirements.All applicants under the age of eighteen years who are approved for assistance and, within one hundred eighty days after the date of federal certification of the Washington temporary assistance for needy families program, all unmarried minor parents or pregnant minor applicants shall, as a condition of receiving benefits, actively progress toward the completion of a high school diploma or a high school equivalency certificate as provided in RCW 28B.50.536.[ 2013 c 39 § 28; 1997 c 58 § 503.]
WA Rev Code § 74.08A.400 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 74 - Public Assistance|Chapter 74.08A - Washington Workfirst Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.|74.08A.400 - Outcome measures—Intent.

RCW 74.08A.400 Outcome measures—Intent.It is the intent of the legislature that the Washington WorkFirst program focus on work and on personal responsibility for recipients. The program shall be evaluated among other evaluations, through a limited number of outcome measures designed to hold each community service office and economic services region accountable for program success.[ 1997 c 58 § 701.]NOTES:Effective dates—1997 c 58: See note following RCW 74.20A.320.
WA Rev Code § 74.08A.410 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 74 - Public Assistance|Chapter 74.08A - Washington Workfirst Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.|74.08A.410 - Outcome measures—Development—Benchmarks.

RCW 74.08A.410 Outcome measures—Development—Benchmarks.(1) The WorkFirst program shall develop outcome measures for use in evaluating the WorkFirst program authorized in chapter 58, Laws of 1997, which may include but are not limited to:(a) Caseload reduction, including data for participants who exit: (i) Due to increased income; (ii) to employment; (iii) at the participant's request; or (iv) for other reasons;(b) Recidivism to caseload after two years;(c) Employment;(d) Job retention;(e) Earnings;(f) Wage progression;(g) Reduction in average grant through increased recipient earnings;(h) Placement of recipients into private sector, unsubsidized jobs; and(i) Outcomes for sanctioned and time-limited families.(2) The department shall require that contractors for WorkFirst services collect outcome measure information and report outcome measures to the department regularly. The department shall develop benchmarks that compare outcome measure information from all contractors to provide a clear indication of the most effective contractors. Benchmark information shall be published quarterly and provided to the legislature, the governor, the legislative-executive WorkFirst poverty reduction oversight task force, and all contractors for WorkFirst services.[ 2019 c 343 § 3; 1997 c 58 § 702.]NOTES:Prospective application—2019 c 343: See note following RCW 74.08.025.Effective dates—1997 c 58: See note following RCW 74.20A.320.
WA Rev Code § 74.08A.411 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 74 - Public Assistance|Chapter 74.08A - Washington Workfirst Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.|74.08A.411 - Outcome measures—Data—Report to the legislature and the legislative-executive WorkFirst poverty reduction oversight task force.

RCW 74.08A.411 Outcome measures—Data—Report to the legislature and the legislative-executive WorkFirst poverty reduction oversight task force.The department shall continue to implement WorkFirst program improvements that are designed to achieve progress against outcome measures specified in RCW 74.08A.410. Outcome data regarding job retention and wage progression shall be reported quarterly to the appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the legislature and to the legislative-executive WorkFirst poverty reduction oversight task force for families who leave assistance for any reason, measured after twelve months, twenty-four months, and thirty-six months. The department shall also report the percentage of families who have returned to temporary assistance for needy families after twelve months, twenty-four months, and thirty-six months. The department shall make every effort to maximize vocational training, as allowed by federal and state requirements.[ 2019 c 343 § 4; 2009 c 85 § 3.]NOTES:Prospective application—2019 c 343: See note following RCW 74.08.025.