Revised on: March 28, 2018
WAC 388-447-0120 -How does alcohol or drug dependence affect my eligibility for referral to the housing and essential needs (HEN) program?
WAC 388-449-0220 -How does alcohol or drug dependence affect my eligibility for the ABD cash and pregnant women assistance programs?
Clarifying Information
- When we have current objective information that indicates an ABD or HEN Referral recipient may have a substance use disorder that is material to the client’s incapacitating or disabling condition(s), ABD and HEN Referral recipients must complete a chemical dependency assessment as a condition of eligibility. Indications of a substance use disorder include, but are not limited to:
- A diagnosis of a substance use disorder;
- Signs of intoxication noted by a medical provider;
- Medical or mental health chart notes indicating overuse or misuse of prescribed medication;
- Recent legal problems associated with substance use (e.g. as reported by the client or documented via medical records); or
- Statement from the client that their substance use is a barrier to employment
- When we have current objective information that indicates a PWA recipient may have a substance use disorder, PWA recipients must complete a chemical dependency assessment as a condition of eligibility.
- If a current chemical dependency assessment from a certified chemical dependency counselor indicates a need for treatment, ABD, HEN Referral, and PWA recipients must participate in recommended treatment as a condition of eligibility.
- Chemical dependency assessments are valid for 6 months. Once a client is engaged in substance use treatment, it is not necessary to obtain a new chemical dependency assessment unless otherwise recommended by the client’s treatment provider.
- Good cause for failure to complete a chemical dependency assessment or treatment is limited to the following:
- The recipient’s physical or mental impairment(s) prevent them from participating based on a review of available objective medical evidence;
- The outpatient substance use disorder treatment the recipient needs is not available in the county where they reside; or
- The inpatient substance use disorder treatment the recipient needs is not available in an area they can reasonably access.
- When a client is terminated from ABD, HEN Referral, or PWA due to a failure to follow through with an assessment or treatment without good cause, the client remains ineligible until they take necessary steps (within their power) to resolve their non-cooperation.
- The Disability Specialist monitors assessment and treatment requirements for ABD, HEN Referral, and PWA clients. (See CSD Procedures Handbook: Substance Use Disorder Assessment and Treatment- ABD, HEN Referral, and PWA)