2023 DSHS News Releases

Welcome to DSHS' news releases for 2023. You may search by keyword and release number.

To read archived news releases, please choose the appropriate year below:

 

OLYMPIA - Washington is ranked second in the nation for supporting older residents and people with disabilities, according to the AARP. The 2023 Long-Term Services and Supports State Scorecard is compiled every three years by the AARP, the Commonwealth Fund, The John A. Hartford Foundation and the Scan Foundation. The report focuses on how the Department of Social and Health Services performs in more than ...read the full news release


DSHS launches claims process to replace stolen food benefits for Washingtonians

Sep 05 2023

DSHS Office of Communications, Norah West, 360-489-5587

OLYMPIA, WA — People whose food benefits were stolen through card skimming or other similar fraudulent activity can now submit a claim to the Department of Social and Health Services to have some of those benefits replaced. The U.S. Congress passed a law earlier this year that enables state agencies administering Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, known as  ...read the full news release

OLYMPIA — As of Aug. 31, eligible Washington residents affected by recent wildfires in eastern Washington can apply through the Department of Social and Health Services for emergency cash assistance to help meet their immediate needs. DSHS is now able to access funding through a new proclamation from Governor Inslee to activate this temporary program that ...read the full news release

Washington Connection will be unavailable, Washington Healthplanfinder and its call center will have reduced functionality after 5 p.m. Friday through 8 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16. Some statewide health and human services and related offices will be unavailable Aug. 14–15.

In just a few days, one of ...read the full news release


Join us July 31 for WA Cares Basics webinar

Jul 27 2023

DSHS Office of Communications, Jessica Nelson, 360-628-1043

OLYMPIA - 

This month, Washington workers began earning long-term care benefits through the WA Cares Fund. Workers contribute 0.58% of each paycheck to WA Cares during their working years to access a $36,500 lifetime benefit (adjusted annually for inflation) when they need long-term care.

While WA Cares benefits can be used to pay for care in a residential setting like a nursing home, they can also cover services and supports to help ...read the full news release