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Client Letters

Every month, the Department of Social and Health Services Automated Client Eligibility System (ACES) mails over 350,000 letters to our clients. It is important that our letters be clear and accurately reflect our policies. At this web site, you can see examples of all these client letters and send us your comments and suggestions. Your comments help us improve these letters.

View The Letters

CATEGORY

Approval
(002) 		Denial
(004) 		Termination
(006) 		Suspension
(007)
Change
(008) 		Appointment
(011) 		Miscellaneous
 		Supplement
(017)
Spenddown
(020) 		Reinstatement
(021) 		Redetermination
(022) 		Request for Information
(023)
WorkFirst/Education and Training
(036) 		Electronic Benefits/Funds Transfer
(037) 		Overpayment
(045) 		Disqualification
(055 and 056)
Fair Hearing
(060) 		Referral
(065) 		Exception To Rule
(070) 		System Generated
(999)


Learn More About ACES Letters

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Learn More About The Letters Review Board

  • What is the LRB?

  • Who is on the LRB?

  • What is the LRB process?

  • How are Letter changes prioritized by the LRB?

  • History of the LRB

  • Contact the LRB

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    Why Don't The Letters On This Website Look Like My Letters?

    There are 4 parts to DSHS letters sent out by ACES.

    1. Letter Templates: These are the "letters" listed on this site. They are basically the skeleton letters based on different kinds of DSHS actions.


    2. Reason Code Information: You can look at the different reason codes. Reason code information includes a statement of the general reason for DSHS' action and a citation to the laws governing the action from the Washington Administrative Code (WAC).


    3. Conditional Text: You can look at the conditional text. Depending on information DSHS puts in their computer about you, other information might appear on your letter. For example, if you have children, the letter might have information about child care, child support services, or medical care you can get even if you can't get cash assistance.


    4. Text Added by Worker: There are some spaces in letters where workers can add their own text. That text does not appear on this website. Some reason codes require workers to add case specific details about the action DSHS is taking. For example, a TANF denial letter might state "You cannot get TANF because your household's income is too high." The case specific information (called additional information or mandatory freeform text) would be something like, "A household of 4 cannot get TANF if they earn more than $1,280/month. Your household's wages are $2,000/month." The reason code protocol explains which reason codes require additional information, and what details are required.

    You may not be able to see your complete letter on this website. The above information will just give you more ideas about where to find what you are looking for. If you don't see the language you are looking for in the letter template, it may be in the reason code or conditional text. The Letters, Reason Code, and Conditional Text are in Microsoft Word format, if you don't have Word installed on your computer, you'll need to download the viewer.

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