Basic Food Work Requirements - Good Cause

Revised April 14, 2021

Purpose: 

WAC 388-444-0050 What is good cause for failing to meet Basic Food work requirements?

• Worker Responsibilities

Worker Responsibilities - WAC 388-444-0050

When you are informed that a non-exempt Basic Food client has not complied with work requirements:

For Mandatory Work Registrants

1. Begin the good cause process no later than 10 calendar days from the date you are notified on noncompliance, by sending a letter to the client. The letter must include:
   
   1. A description of the non-compliance; and
   2. The date by which the client must contact the worker to provide good cause for non-compliance. (This date should not exceed 10 calendar days from the date the notice is sent.)

1. Determine good cause for clients not meeting the work registration requirements described in WAC 388-444-0005, #3.
2. When good cause does not exist the client must be disqualified. See Disqualification.
3. Inform disqualified clients how they may regain eligibility for Basic Food.
4. Volunteers for Basic Food E&T components (services) who fail to participate are not disqualified.

For ABAWDs

1. Good cause is considered when determining if a mandatory ABAWD client has met the participation requirements.

   Consider an ABAWD to have met the work requirement if they have a temporary absence from work that causes them to not meet the required hours of participation and they have not lost their job.

   1. Good cause includes unexpected circumstances beyond the individual’s control, such as:
      • Illness;
      • Care for another household member;
      • A household emergency; or
      • The unavailability of transportation.
        
        NOTE:
        A household emergency can cover a range of unexpected events such as fire, extreme weather or domestic violence event.

2. Document the reason for good cause in the case notes. Good cause should not exceed two months in a row. If the frequency of good cause requests become questionable, a worker can ask the the client to provide collateral contact for the exemption. Assess the client for a personal exemption if it appears that the good cause reason will last for longer than two months.
3. If you determine there is no good cause, record non-qualifying work months as described in Worker Responsibilities WAC 388-444-0030 – Monitoring Participation