Pregnancy and Cash Assistance Eligibility

Revised on: June 11, 2020

Purpose:

This section addresses the pregnancy requirement for the TANF, SFA, and PWA cash assistance programs.

WAC 388-462-0010 Temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) or state family assistance (SFA) eligibility for pregnant women. 

WAC 388-400-0055 Who is eligible for the pregnant women assistance (PWA) program?


Clarifying Information - WAC 388-462-0010 

A pregnant individual may qualify for TANF or SFA in any stage of their pregnancy. A pregnant individual who is ineligible for TANF or SFA for any reason other than WorkFirst noncompliant sanction (such as the 60 month time limit) may be eligible for PWA.

  • See PROGRAM SUMMARY for other eligibility factors for TANF, SFA and PWA.
  • See INCOME to determine need and payment level.
  • See TEEN PARENTS for school attendance and living situation requirements for unmarried pregnant teens.
  • See ASSISTANCE UNITS for assistance unit rules for pregnant women.

Worker Responsibilities - WAC 388-462-0010

  1. Determine if the client's needs are being met by SSI (e.g. an SSI ineligible spouse) or if the client is otherwise eligible for TANF (e.g. a parent of a child on SSI or a non-parental caretaker of a TANF eligible child).
  2. Verify pregnancy and expected date of delivery.
  3. If the client is considering adoption, inform them of their right for post adoption cash benefits.
  4. Verify household composition (See VERIFICATION).
  5. Obtain information about the father of the unborn.
    1. The presence of the unborn's father in the home may affect income eligibility, categorical eligibility, resource eligibility, and benefit level.
      1. If not married to the client, determine if the father's income affects eligibility (See INCOME).
      2. If married to the client, determine (in addition to factors noted above) if community resources affect eligibility (See RESOURCES) and if allocated income effects eligibility and benefit level (See INCOME).
    2. If the father of the unborn is absent from the home, do not complete a Division of Child Support (DCS) referral on the unborn.