WAC 388-406-0045 Is there a good reason my application for cash or medical assistance has not been processed?

If your application for cash or medical assistance is not processed within the time limits under WAC 388-406-0035, the department must decide if there is a good reason for the delay.  This good reason is also called "good cause." 

1. We do not have a good reason for not processing your application for TANF or SFA within thirty days if:

   1. We did not give or send you a notice of what information we needed to determine your eligibility within twenty days from the date of your application;

   2. We did not give or send you a notice that we needed additional information or action within five calendar days of the date we learned that more information was needed to determine eligibility;

   3. We did not process your application within five calendar days from getting the information needed to decide eligibility; and

   4. We decide good cause exists but do not document our decision in the case record on or before the time limit for processing the application ends.

2. We do have a good reason for not processing your application timely if:

   1. You do not give us the information or take an action needed for us to determine eligibility;

   2. We have an emergency beyond our control; or

   3. There is no other available verification for us to determine eligibility and the eligibility decision depends on information that has been delayed such as:

      1. Medical documentation;

      2. For cash assistance, extensive property appraisals; or

      3. Out-of-state documents or correspondence.

3. For medical assistance, good cause exists only when the department otherwise acted promptly at all stages of the application process.