WAC 388-406-0035 How long does the department have to process my application?

1. We must process your application as quickly as possible.  We must respond promptly to your application and to any information you give us.  We cannot delay processing your request by using the time limits stated in this section as a waiting period for determining eligibility.

2. Unless your eligibility determination is delayed  good cause under WAC 388-406-0040, we process your application for benefits within thirty calendar days, except: 

   1. If you are pregnant, we must process your application for medical assistance within fifteen working days;

   2. If you are applying for aged, blind, or disabled (ABD) assistance, alcohol or drug addiction treatment (ADATSA), or medical assistance, we must process your application within forty-five calendar days unless there is good cause as described in WAC 388-406-0045; and

   3. If you are applying for medical assistance that requires a disability decision, we must process your application within sixty calendar days.

3. For calculating time limits, "day one" is the date following the date:

   1. The department received your application for benefits under WAC 388-406-0010;

   2. Social Security gets a request for food benefits from a Basic Food assistance unit in which all members either get or are applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI);

   3. You are released from an institution if you get or are authorized to get SSI and request Basic Food through Social Security prior to your release.