Recent Handbook Revisions

Over the next year, the WorkFirst Handbook will undergo modernization to improve consistency and flow by removing operational procedures and internal controls. All revisions will continue to be listed here, however, we anticipate that as we navigate these changes, hyperlinks may become broken. We appreciate your patience as we complete this effort.

Note: This Log only reflects changes made to the WorkFirst Handbook within the last three years.

Date	Chapter/Section	Revision	Description of Revision
9/3/26	7.6 What do I do when a participant is already in school when he or she comes to WorkFirst?	7.6	Clarifying students must 20 hours a week of a core activity.
8/19/26	3.6.1 Time Limit Extensions and 3.6.2 Time Limit Extension Reviews	3.6.1 and 3.6.2	Removing guidance for ineligible parent TLEs
7/13/26	3.3.2 Stacking Activities	3.3.2	Updates to ensure policy accuracy and clarity, removes redundancy, and incorporates updated CSD staffing references.
6/30/26	5.1 Pregnancy to Employment	5.1	Removed Within Reach contract information and removed RW component.
4/15/26	All Resource subsections	Inclusion of eJAS WorkFirst Component Codes list (no revision page).	Added the eJAS WorkFirst Component Codes list to every Resource subsection within the Handbook.
4/15/26	About the Handbook, About WorkFirst Handbook (deleted)	About WorkFirst and this Handbook	Combined content of both "About ..." pages into a single page now titled "About WorkFirst and this Handbook" for clarity and ease of use. Updated/removed outdated content.
4/13/26	Disabilities	6.6.9	Updated consent and release of information options
3/19/26	7.1 Education and Training - Overview, 7.3 Basic Education, Skills Enhancement, High School Completion and High School Equivalency, 7.4 Other Education	7.1, 7.3, and 7.4	Clarifies that job skills training may include enrollment in a four-year bachelor's program when paired with 20 hours of core activities.
3/17/26	3.6.1 Time Limit Extensions	3.6.1	Adds two-parent High Unemployment Rate TLE examples to support clarity in application of policy.
3/10/26	8.5 Voluntary/Court Ordered Community Services	8.5	Removes process for DSHS facilitation of L&I coverage and incorporates updated CSD staffing references.
2/25/26	6.7 Substance Use Disorder	6.7	Updates appropriate consent form references.
2/23/26	3.2.1 Comprehensive Evaluation	3.2.1	Supports clarity around comprehensive evaluation policy, in alignment with workflows.
1/26/26	2.2 Support Services	2.2	Restructuring section to focus and enhance policy elements, and remove technical procedures.
1/6/26	Disabilities and Exemptions	6.6 and 6.8	Updated language and desk aids related to WorkFirst disabilities and exemptions.
1/6/26	LEP Pathway	5.2	Updated LEP referral pathway flow.
9/24/25	Time Limit Extensions	3.6.1	Clarified TLE full time self-employment hours using eJAS calculator.
9/19/25	Career Scope Phases and Processes	4.1	Updated statewide ESD life skills classes.
8/20/25	Time Limit Extensions	3.6.1.16	Updated reference to CSD procedure when pending TANF for TLE.
7/29/25	Entering NCS Sanction, Ending NCS Sanction	3.5.1, and 3.5.2	Updating text for sanction letters.
6/10/25	Career Scope Phases and Processes	4.1	Updated RI from 7-10 days.
5/19/25	Time Limit Extensions	3.6.1	Corrected letters when requesting additional information for a TLE.
5/16/25	Individual Responsibility Plan	3.3.1.2	Added clarifying information for when IRPs are completed.
4/18/25	Time Limit Extensions, Time Limit Extension Reviews	3.6.1 and 3.6.2	Updated to include recent high unemployment and IE/TE/PD exemptions.
3/14/25	WorkFirst Orientation	1.4	Updated for procedures project and staffing terminology.
3/14/25	Required Documentation and Documenting and reporting Participation	1.6 and 3.7.2	Updated for procedures project and staffing terminology, updated redaction policy.
3/14/25	Paid and Unpaid Employment Overview	8.1	Updated for procedures project and staffing terminology.
2/28/25	Tribal Governments	9.1.4	Remove outdated language.
1/31/25	Time Limit Extensions	3.6.1.14	Updated PWA language.
1/14/25	Family Violence	6.5	Clarifying language when coding XF actual hrs vs documenting hours.
1/3/25	BFET	5.3	Updating step transitioning from BFET to TANF.
12/12/24	Substance Use Disorder	6.7	Removing reference to sunset form 14-310.
11/21/24	Assessments PWA	6.2.6	Adding link to PWA CSD procedure.
11/1/24	Case Staffings	4.4.3	Clarifying language when case staffings are mandatory.
10/18/24	Support Services	2.2	Removing support service categories; work, safety and other.
10/11/24	Time Limit Extensions, Time Limit Extension Reviews	3.6.1 and 3.6.2.6	Updating TLE and SEP process.
9/17/24	Participating While Resolving Issues	6.3.9	Updating criteria for FSC.
9/17/24	Community Jobs	8.3	Updated budgeting to include Family Earnings Disregard and WFPS to Case manger or WorkFirst staff.
9/6/24	Disabilities and Exemptions	6.6 and 6.8	Updating WorkFirst staff references and updating links to updated desk aids.
6/5/24	Career Scope	4.1.13	Updating step-by-step for life skills.
5/31/24	Substance Use Disorder	6.7	Updated WorkFirst staff references.
5/9/24	Time Limit Extensions, Time Limit Reviews, Pregnancy to Employment	3.6.1, 3.6.2, 5.1.19	Updating new infant, toddler and post partum TLE exemptions.
5/03/24	Support Services	2.2	Updating WorkFirst staff references and Resources.
4/30/24	Entering Non-Compliance Sanction (NCS)	3.5.1	Updating WorkFirst staff references.
4/26/24	Pregnant Women Assistance (PWA) referral and assessment process	6.2.6	Updating PWA process.
3/25/24	Participation While Resolving Issues	6.3.11	Adding new section 6.3.11 Coordinated Entry.
3/15/24	Support Services	2.2.1	Adding reference to OAR program.
3/7/2024	Participating While Resolving Issues	6.3	Updating language removing for Case Planner and Case Manager, updated FCS language.
3/7/2024	Time Limit Extensions	3.6.1	Updating language removing WFPS and updating developing FVSP.
3/7/2024	Time Limit Extension Reviews	3.6.2	Updating language removing WFPS and updating developing FVSP.
2/1/2024	About the Handbook, Comprehensive Evaluation, Pathway Development Tool	About the Handbook, WFHB 3.2.1, WFHB 3.2.3	Updating changes to support transition for WorkFirst reorganization.
1/01/2024	2.1.2 Supports Overview	WFHB 2.1.2	Expanding Transitional Food Assistance to sanctioned families.
11/1/2023	7.2 Vocational Education	WFHB 7.2	Updated HWHD step by step.
10/18/2023	3.6.1.5 What are the time limit extensions categories?	WFHB 3.6.1.5	Update examples of mixed households, ineligible parent and recipient parent.
10/2/2023	6.5.12 What is the Address Confidentiality Program	WFHB 6.5.12	Updates information related address confidentiality program.
9/8/2023	3.6.2.1 Time Limit Extensions	WFHB 3.6.2.1	Updating examples related to no longer qualifying for a TLE.
9/1/2023	3.2.1 Comprehensive Evaluation	WFHB 3.2.1.3, WFHB 1.6.4	Updating partner access note for PDT.
8/8/2023	3.5.1 Entering NCS	WFHB 3.5.1.9	Updating lack of childcare clarification.
8/7/2023	3.5.1 Entering NCS	WFHB 3.5.1.11, 3.5.1.12, 3.5.1.17	Mandatory text on staffing results letter.
7/31/2023	2.2 Support Services	WFHB 2.2.10, 2.2.17, 2.2.18	Updates to remove BOA card process.
7/25/2023	3.6.1Time Limit Extensions	WFHB 3.6.1.16	Clarifying information on letter for individuals that waived TLE notice.
7/21/2023	3.5.1 Entering Non-Compliance Sanction (NCS)	WFHB 3.5.1.10	Adding information related to undefined hardships that would reasonably prevent participation.
6/29/2023	3.6.1 Time Limit Extensions, 3.6.2 Time Limit Reviews	WFHB 3.6.1, WFHB 3.6.2	Removing time limit requirements for ineligible parents.
5/18/2023	6.2 Assessments	WFHB 6.2.2, 6.2.3	Assessments for In Loco Parentis caregivers.
5/1/2023	3.6.1 Time Limit Extensions	WFHB 3.6.1	Updating the new high unemployment TLE and sup approval process.
5/1/2023	3.6.2 Time limit Reviews	WFHB 3.6.2	Updating the new high unemployment TLE and sup approval process.
4/7/2023	2.2 Support Services	WFHB 2.2.11 - 2.2.15	Updating support services, removing Pearson Vue and DOL.
3/30/2023	6.8 WorkFirst Exemptions	WFHB 6.8.1, 6.8.9, 6.8.10, 6.8.11	Updating WorkFirst exemptions and mandatory activities.
2/1/2023	1.2 Required Participation & 6.8 Exemptions	1.2.9. 6.8.8	DVR Referrals.
1/1/2023	2.2 Support Services	2.2.18.3	Support service audits.

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