About the Handbook

Revised on: September 20, 2021

WorkFirst program staff at Economic Services Administration (ESA) of the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) primarily wrote this handbook. Others contributing to the contents of this handbook include:

Employment Security Department (ESD)
The State Board for Community & Technical Colleges (SBCTC)
The Department of Commerce (Commerce)
Workforce Development Councils (WDC)
Tribal Governments and other partners

Handbook chapters cover the following topic areas:
Tools	The tools we use to process cases (such as Individual Responsibility Plans and eJAS screening/evaluation)
Supports	The supports we provide to participants (such as child care and support services)
Engaging Participants in WorkFirst	How we introduce participants to the WorkFirst program
The Pathways	The pathways participants may take to self-sufficiency include: Career Scope – provides services to help participants find jobs Community Jobs – paid work activity that help a participant prepare for work Community Works – unpaid work activity that help a participant prepare for work Education & Training – education and training programs that help participants build knowledge and skills needed for work Employment - Services and requirements for employed participants LEP – services provided to limited English proficiency participants Issue Resolution - Working with issues that interfere with participants’ ability to work (like family violence) Exempt – provides services to participants who may take alternative routes to self-sufficiency (like SSI)

Using the WorkFirst Handbook

Each section of the WorkFirst Handbook may have:

A legal reference list and key principles at the top;
The body of text in the center with special requirements, examples or activities notated in special fonts or colored boxes; and
A list of resources at the bottom.

The use of participant and parent/caregiver are interchangeable throughout this handbook.

The use of WorkFirst staff is used interchangeably throughout the WorkFirst Handbook to refer to either Case Planners or Social Service Specialists, as many major program components are supported by both roles. For situations when a program component is handled solely by the Social Service Specialist, the term Case Manager is used.

Desk Aids

This page contains useful desk aids. Policy and procedure changes will result in revisions to this information.

Recent Updates and Memos for Staff

Latest Policy & Handbook Updates

*Contact Sarah Garcia at Sarah.Garcia@dshs.wa.gov for any revisions prior to January 2021.

Date	Chapter Title	Chapter Revision	Topic
3/25/24	Participation While Resolving Issues	6.3.11	Adding new section 6.3.11 Coordinated Entry
3/15/24	Support Services	2.2.1	Adding reference to OAR program
3/7/2024	Participating While Resolving Issues	6.3	Updating language removing for Case Planner and Case Manager, updated FCS language.
3/7/2024	Time Limit Extensions	3.6.1	Updating language removing WFPS and updating developing FVSP
3/7/2024	Time Limit Extension Reviews	3.6.2	Updating language removing WFPS and updating developing FVSP
2/1/2024	About the Handbook, Comprehensive Evaluation, Pathway Development Tool	About the Handbook, WFHB 3.2.1, WFHB 3.2.3	Updating changes to support transition for WorkFirst reorganization
1/01/2024	2.1.2 Supports Overview	WFHB 2.1.2	Expanding Transitional Food Assistance to sanctioned families.
11/1/2023	7.2 Vocational Education	WFHB 7.2	Updated HWHD step by step
10/18/2023	3.6.1.5 What are the time limit extensions categories?	WFHB 3.6.1.5	Update examples of mixed households, ineligible parent and recipient parent
10/2/2023	6.5.12 What is the Address Confidentiality Program	WFHB 6.5.12	Updates information related address confidentiality program.
9/8/2023	3.6.2.1 Time Limit Extensions	WFHB 3.6.2.1	Updating examples related to no longer qualifying for a TLE
9/1/2023	3.2.1 Comprehensive Evaluation	WFHB 3.2.1.3, WFHB 1.6.4	Updating partner access note for PDT.
8/8/2023	3.5.1 Entering NCS	WFHB 3.5.1.9	Updating lack of childcare clarification
8/7/2023	3.5.1 Entering NCS	WFHB 3.5.1.11, 3.5.1.12, 3.5.1.17	Mandatory text on staffing results letter
7/31/2023	2.2 Support Services	WFHB 2.2.10, 2.2.17, 2.2.18	Updates to remove BOA card process
7/25/2023	3.6.1Time Limit Extensions	WFHB 3.6.1.16	Clarifying information on letter for individuals that waived TLE notice
7/21/2023	3.5.1 Entering Non-Compliance Sanction (NCS)	WFHB 3.5.1.10	Adding information related to undefined hardships that would reasonably prevent participation
6/29/2023	3.6.1 Time Limit Extensions 3.6.2 Time Limit Reviews	WFHB 3.6.1, WFHB 3.6.2	Removing time limit requirements for ineligible parents.
5/18/2023	6.2 Assessments	WFHB 6.2.2, 6.2.3	Assessments for In Loco Parentis caregivers
5/1/2023	3.6.1 Time Limit Extensions	WFHB 3.6.1	Updating the new high unemployment TLE and sup approval process
5/1/2023	3.6.2 Time limit Reviews	WFHB 3.6.2	Updating the new high unemployment TLE and sup approval process
4/7/2023	2.2 Support Services	WFHB 2.2.11 - 2.2.15	Updating support services, removing Pearson Vue and DOL
3/30/2023	6.8 WorkFirst Exemptions	WFHB 6.8.1, 6.8.9, 6.8.10, 6.8.11	Updating WorkFirst exemptions and mandatory activities
2/1/2023	1.2 Required Participation & 6.8 Exemptions	WFHB 1.2.9. 6.8.8	DVR Referrals
1/1/2023	2.2 Support Services	WFHB 2.2.18.3	Support service audits
12/1/2022	4.1 Career Scope Phases and Processes	WFHB 4.1.12, 4.1.13, 7.3.6	Strategies for Success Update
12/1/2022	5.1 Pregnancy to Employment	WFHB 1.4.6, 3.2.1.8, 5.1	Home Visiting Expansion
11/1/2022	5.2 Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Pathway	WFHB 5.2.4	Update PU from PRUCOL to Lawfully Residing Individuals
8/9/22	3.2.3 Pathway Development Tool	WFHB 3.2.3	Clarification on completing the PDT
6/17/22	1.2 Required Participation	WFHB 1.2	Updating Sentencing Alternatives … Desk Aid Name
5/19/22	Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Pathway	WFHB 5.2	Updated RCA time limit reference from 8 to 12 months.
4/18/22	Children with Special Needs	WFHB 6.4	Clarification based on staff feedback.
04/11/22	Time Limit Extensions	WFHB 3.6.1, 3.6.2	Extension of Post-Pandemic TLE through 06/30/23
02/01/22	Ineligible Parent Time Limit	WFHB 3.6.1, 5.2	Survivors of Certain Crimes
01/20/22	Support Services	WFHB 2.2	End of TI and expansion of PETSS statewide, increase of annual support services limit to $5000
12/10/21	Time Limit Extensions	WFHB 3.6.1, 3.6.2	TLE Supervisory/Designee Review Process Automation
12/01/21	IE/TE Counter	WFHB 5.1	IE/TE counter updates, but TE counter not functional.
11/15/21	Personal Pathway Tool	WFHB 3.1, 3.2.2,	Suspension of the use of the PP tool until further notice
09/01/21	PDT and Integrated Interview WF Reengagement	WFHB About the Handbook, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 3.1, 3.2.1, 3.2.2, 3.2.3, 3.3.1, 3.3.2, 3.5.1, 3.5.2, 3.5.3, 3.6.1, 3.6.2, 3.7.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 7.2, 7.3, 9.3	Implementation and launching of the Pathway Development Tool and the Integrated Interview Return to pre-COVID participation requirements
07/01/21	Non-Compliance Sanctions	WFHB 1.2, 1.6.3, 3.1, 3.2.1, 3.5.1, 3.5.2, 3.5.3, 3.5.4, 3.7.2.8, 5.1, 7.6.2, 8.4.2, 9.4.6	Implementation of 2441 effective 07/1/21.
07/01/21	Time Limit Extensions	WFHB 3.6.1, 3.6.2	Implementation of 6478 (McKinney-Vento) and Post-Pandemic TLE through 06/30/22
03/16/21	Support Services	WFHB 2.2	Expanding DOL online services statewide & mailing of BOA
02/02/21	Career Scope Phases and Processes	WFHB 4.1	Updates to RB Process
01/05/21	Disabilities (physical, mental & learning disabilities.)	WFHB 6.6	Updated Medical Evidence Documents (no changes to chapter text)