Emergency Assistance Programs - Disaster Cash Assistance Program

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Revised November 1, 2011

Purpose: This section describes a cash program available because of a disaster declared by the Governor. It is available to families or individuals including families or individuals with no children who face an emergency and do not have the money to meet their basic needs. This program is available only once within a twelve-month period.

WAC 388-436-0055	What is the Disaster Cash Assistance Program (DCAP)?
WAC 388-436-0060	How much money can I receive from the Disaster Cash Assistance Program (DCAP)?

What is the disaster cash assistance program (DCAP)?

WAC 388-436-0055

Effective June 11, 2008

WAC 388-436-0055 What is the Disaster Cash Assistance Program (DCAP)?

Disaster consolidated assistance Program (DCAP) is paid through the Consolidated Emergency Assistance Program (CEAP) and is designed to provide cash assistance to individuals and families who face an emergency and do not have the money to meet their basic needs.

1. DCAP is available if you meet all of the following:

a. You suffered losses and live in an area that has been declared a disaster for individuals by the Governor;

b. You are not able to live in your home or you cannot return to your home because of the disaster;

c. Your home in the disaster area is your primary residence and you were living there at the time of the disaster;

d. You are a resident of Washington State as defined in WAC 388-468-0005;

e. Your net income is under the limits in WAC 388-436-0050 (1), and

f. You or your family is not eligible for any other program that could meet your need as stated in WAC 388-436-0030.

2. Applicants must demonstrate a financial need for emergency funds for one or more of the following basic requirements:

a. Food;

b. Shelter;

c. Clothing;

d. Minor medical care;

e. Utilities;

f. Household maintenance supplies; or

g. Necessary clothing or transportation costs to accept or retain a job.

3. Payments under this program are limited to not more than thirty consecutive days within a period of twelve consecutive months.

This is a reprint of the official rule as published by the Office of the Code Reviser. If there are previous versions of this rule, they can be found using the Legislative Search page.

CLARIFYING INFORMATION

The disaster for individuals must be declared by the Governor. When the disaster is declared, Consolidated Emergency Assistance Program (CEAP) will authorize the Disaster Cash Assistance Program (DCAP) to provide funds for families and individuals with or without children who have suffered losses as a result of the disaster.

The following applies to DCAP:
1. The applicant had to have been living in the declared disaster area before the disaster happened. Having a vacation home does not count for residency.
2. The applicant must have suffered a loss of income or property as a result of the disaster.
3. The CEAP income rules apply to DCAP. See WAC 388-436-0045.
4. The applicant must apply for any other assistance available, such as:
  1. TANF/SFA/RCA
  2. ABD cash
  3. Basic Food Assistance
  4. Medical
  5. Unemployment compensation
Under DCAP, applicants are not required to:
1. Meet citizenship or alien requirements; or
2. Provide a Social Security number.

WORKER RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Review the application (DSHS 12-207) with the DCAP applicant. The applicant may request help with any of the basic requirements listed in WAC 388-436-0055 (2) without verifying the need with a bill or receipt unless questionable.

2. Explain to the DCAP applicant the limited availability of this program.

How much money can I receive from the disaster cash assistance program (DCAP)?

WAC 388-436-0060

Effective June 11, 2008

WAC 388-436-0060 How much money can I receive from the Disaster Cash Assistance Program (DCAP)?

The amount of money you can get from DCAP depends on your available resources, income and household size as determined below:

1. Available resources and income are determined by using WAC 388-436-0035. Excluded resources and income is in WAC 388-436-0040.

2. We determine your income based on gross anticipated income for the month of application.

3. The maximum amount of money you can receive depends on the size of your household as determined by WAC 388-456-0050 (2).

4. Your household consists of anyone living with you who you are financial responsibility for or you share financial responsibility for the household such as:

a. Your spouse,

b. Domestic partner, or

c. Your children or step-children.

5. How much DCAP you may receive is determined according to calculations described in WAC 388-436-0050 (3).

This is a reprint of the official rule as published by the Office of the Code Reviser. If there are previous versions of this rule, they can be found using the Legislative Search page.

CLARIFYING INFORMATION

You use CEAP rules when calculating the income and resources for DCAP.

The differences between DCAP and CEAP are how the program looks at household composition and deductions:

1) Household composition:

a) Does not require a dependent minor child to be in the home.

2) Deductions:

a) The disaster losses can be used as a deduction from the income/resources calculation.

b) The losses are only used if the applicant does not expect to be reimbursed (such as insurance settlement) during the month of application.

WORKER RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Determine who must be included in the household. This is anyone the applicant declares as being financially responsible for or who shares the financial responsibility.

2. Proof of the income, resources, or expenses is not required unless questionable.

3. Complete the calculations using the DSHS 12-208 form.

Modification Date: November 1, 2011