OLYMPIA – The Department of Social and Health Services announced that three of its administrations are closing offices to the public in response to COVID-19. The agency’s Economic Services Administration announced last week that it would offer only limited services in its offices statewide.
The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation closed all of its offices to the public effective today, Monday, March 23. The Aging and Long-Term Support and the Developmental Disabilities administrations close their offices statewide to foot traffic effective tomorrow, Tuesday, March 24.
DSHS understands how challenging and life-changing this has been everyone. The hope is that these measures will help slow the spread of the virus.
Clients who need assistance from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation can call 1-800-637-5627.
For the Aging and Long-Term Support Administration, clients can call the following numbers:
- For Adult Protective Services, the public should call 1-877-734-6277;
- Residential Care Services customers should call 1-800-562-6078; and
- Home and Community Services clients can visit Washington Community Living Connections at www.waclc.org or call 1-855-567-0252.
Clients and providers of the Developmental Disabilities Administration, who reside in Eastern Washington can call 1 800 462-0624; for those who live in King County and counties north call 1 800 339-8227 and for clients and providers in Pierce County and Southwest Washington the number to dial is 1 800 314-3296.
The closures of these offices to the public will remain in place until further notice.
In-person services at DSHS Community Services Offices are limited. For those in need of cash or food assistance, telephone and online options enable DSHS to serve the public from the safety and convenience of their own home. For example:
Full services are available by phone through the Customer Service Contact Center at 1-877-501-2233:
- Apply for benefits or complete eligibility review without filling out a paper or online form
- Complete an interview for benefits
- Get case information or report changes
- Complete your Mid-Certification Review
- Request a replacement EBT card
- Reach your WorkFirst case manager or social worker
Online services are available via WashingtonConnection.org:
- Submit application or review for benefits - food, cash, medical and Medicare Savings Programs
- Complete your mid-certification or report a change
Future service updates will be available at https://www.dshs.wa.gov as well as on DSHS Facebook and Twitter. Additional information is available on the state’s new coronavirus web site.