The bill amends RCW 74.04.770 to establish updated payment standards for cash assistance programs, including temporary assistance for needy families and refugee assistance. It mandates that the Department of Social and Health Services create consolidated standards of need each fiscal year, which may vary based on geographical areas, program, and family size. The standards will be based on actual living costs and inflation indices, covering essential household needs such as shelter, food, transportation, and child care. By July 1, 2022, the department is required to adopt a broadly used national standard for annual updates to ensure the standards reflect current household needs.

Additionally, the bill introduces new provisions regarding payment levels for assistance. It specifies that payment levels for temporary assistance, refugee cash assistance, and related benefits will be no less than 16 percent of the established need or the previous year's payment level, whichever is greater. However, any increase in payment levels is capped at three percent in a single fiscal year. The bill also clarifies that recipients of supplemental security income will receive at least the minimum state supplement required by federal law.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 74.04.770